The Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA) is creating a direct platform for consumers to engage with the energy sector through its Energy Hub at the 2026 Botswana Consumer Fair. The initiative brings BERA together with industry licensees under one roof, giving visitors an opportunity to ask questions and receive information directly from energy sector representatives. The Consumer Fair is taking place at Fairground Holdings and runs from 26 to 30 August 2026. The Energy Hub provides an accessible space where consumers can better understand issues affecting their everyday use of energy, from electricity and fuel to consumer rights and energy safety. BERA says the initiative is designed to improve access to information while encouraging stronger awareness and engagement among energy consumers.
The presence of BERA and industry licensees at the Consumer Fair gives members of the public an opportunity to engage directly with organisations responsible for different aspects of the energy sector. Instead of relying only on general information or seeking answers after problems arise, consumers can use the Energy Hub to raise specific questions and seek clarification. This type of direct interaction can help consumers better understand how the energy sector operates and what responsibilities different industry players have. BERA’s mandate covers several areas, including electricity, petroleum products, natural gas, coal and renewable energy, making consumer education relevant across a wide range of energy services. The Energy Hub therefore provides a practical setting for connecting regulatory information with the everyday experiences of households, businesses and other energy users.
Consumer rights form an important part of the engagement because people need to understand the protections and responsibilities that apply when they use energy services. Consumers may have questions about service standards, complaints, billing, supply issues or the responsibilities of companies operating within the regulated energy sector. BERA states that part of its role is to ensure that service standards are established and that customers and consumers are protected from monopoly power in energy markets. Making this information easier to access can help consumers become more confident when raising concerns or seeking assistance. It can also encourage more informed conversations between consumers, regulators and energy providers.
Energy safety is another area where public awareness can have a direct impact on households and businesses. Electricity, fuel, gas and other energy products require responsible handling and an understanding of basic safety practices. The Energy Hub gives consumers an opportunity to raise questions about safety and learn more about the appropriate use of energy services. Direct engagement with industry representatives can also help clarify information that consumers may otherwise find difficult to understand. Providing practical knowledge in an accessible environment can contribute to safer energy use and help people recognize when they should seek professional assistance.
The focus on fuel and electricity is particularly relevant because these energy sources affect households, businesses and economic activity across Botswana. Consumers interact with energy providers in different ways, whether they are purchasing fuel, paying for electricity or exploring alternative energy options. Having a space where consumers can discuss these issues with sector representatives can help address misunderstandings and provide clearer information. BERA’s regulatory scope includes electricity and petroleum as well as renewable energy and other energy areas, reflecting the broad nature of its responsibilities. The Energy Hub allows that broad mandate to be presented to the public in a more direct and practical way.
The initiative also supports BERA’s wider efforts to improve public awareness about energy regulation. The authority says it began building countrywide awareness in 2018, following the start of its operations in September 2017 under the Botswana Energy Regulatory Act 2016. Public engagement remains important because effective regulation depends partly on consumers understanding where to obtain information and how to raise concerns. Events such as the Consumer Fair can bring this information to people in a setting where they are already engaging with businesses, government institutions and other organisations. The Energy Hub therefore extends regulatory awareness beyond formal offices and creates a more visible point of contact for the public.
The Consumer Fair itself provides a suitable environment for this type of engagement because it brings together a wide range of exhibitors and members of the public. The 2026 event at Fairground Holdings is running through 30 August, giving consumers several days to interact with participating organisations. Within that environment, the BERA Energy Hub adds an educational element focused specifically on energy issues. Visitors can use the opportunity to ask questions that may affect their homes, businesses or communities. This approach can make technical information more approachable and encourage consumers to take a more active interest in the energy sector.
Bringing BERA and industry licensees together also creates an opportunity for consumers to understand the relationship between regulation and service delivery. A regulator establishes and oversees the framework within which energy businesses operate, while licensed industry players provide services and products to consumers. Direct interaction can help clarify the roles of these different stakeholders and show consumers where particular questions or complaints should be directed. It can also encourage industry players to listen to consumer concerns and identify areas where communication can improve. Stronger engagement between consumers, regulators and licensed providers can contribute to a more transparent and responsive energy sector.
The BERA Energy Hub ultimately reflects the importance of making energy information accessible to the people who use energy services every day. By bringing the regulator and industry licensees together at the Botswana Consumer Fair, the initiative creates a practical space for questions, education and direct engagement. Consumers can learn more about fuel, electricity, energy safety, their rights and the wider regulatory environment while interacting with people working in the sector. BERA’s broader mandate is centred on supporting an efficient regulatory framework and ensuring reliable, affordable and good-quality energy services while protecting consumers. As the Consumer Fair continues, the Energy Hub offers an important opportunity to strengthen public awareness and build more informed relationships between Botswana’s energy sector and the consumers it serves.
