• Reaccreditation underscores the company’s focus on consistency and credibility in fuel quality management

Gaborone, Botswana, 19 January 2026 — Vivo Energy Botswana, the company that distributes and markets Shell fuels and lubricants in Botswana, has secured ISO 17025:2017 reaccreditation for its Francistown fuel testing laboratory, reinforcing the company’s commitment to internationally benchmarked quality, safety, and operational excellence in the petroleum sector.

The reaccreditation, granted by the Southern African Development Community Accreditation Service (SADCAS), covers the chemical analysis of diesel and petrol using critical ASTM test methods, including density (D4052), distillation (D86), and flashpoint (D93). These parameters are essential for verifying fuel quality, safety, and regulatory compliance across the national supply chain.

This marks the third successful periodic assessment since the laboratory’s initial accreditation in 2022. Following an on-site evaluation conducted in July 2025, reaccreditation was formally confirmed in November and will remain valid until 2027.

Commenting on the milestone, Vivo Energy Botswana Managing Director Sesupo Wagamang said the reaccreditation underscores the company’s focus on consistency and credibility in fuel quality management.

“Achieving reaccreditation is never about a once-off audit; it’s about the standards we uphold every day. This milestone reflects our team’s dedication to quality, accuracy, and continuous improvement, and our shared responsibility in supporting safe and reliable high-quality fuel supply,” Wagamang said.

“For us, fuel quality is non-negotiable because it directly affects safety, equipment integrity, and customer confidence.”

The ISO 17025:2017 accreditation certifies that a laboratory demonstrates technical competence, produces reliable and traceable results, and operates a robust quality management system aligned with validated test methods. Annual surveillance assessments ensure continuous compliance and reinforce confidence in the data used for both business decisions and regulatory assurance.

As Botswana’s only ISO 17025:2017-accredited fuel testing laboratory, the Francistown facility plays a strategic role in supporting Vivo Energy Botswana’s nationwide operations. Accurate and dependable testing safeguards fuel handling processes, protects customer and industry infrastructure, and ensures products consistently meet required specifications.

Wagamang noted that the laboratory’s role extends beyond compliance to underpinning the company’s broader value proposition. “Our customers and partners rely on the assurance that the fuel they receive meets the highest standards,” he said. “This reaccreditation strengthens trust across our value chain and supports safe, compliant operations throughout our network.”

The achievement also reflects sustained investment in people, systems, and continuous improvement. The laboratory operates within Vivo Energy Botswana’s Integrated Management System, embedding quality, safety, environmental stewardship, and operational discipline into daily activities. Ongoing competency development, method validation, internal audits, and equipment integrity programmes ensure the facility remains resilient and future-ready.

According to Wagamang, the reaccreditation is a strategic signal of the company’s long-term outlook. “Maintaining ISO 17025 standards requires discipline and consistency year after year,” he said. “It reaffirms our commitment to technical excellence and supports sustainable business performance by ensuring that quality is built into every litre we supply.”

Vivo Energy Botswana operates under the Shell licence and continues to position quality assurance as a cornerstone of its operations, with the Francistown Laboratory remaining central to its fuel integrity and risk management framework.