Nasan claims it is unfairly targeted

Nasan Energies says all the fuel service stations it supplies across Namibia have fuel, except those operated by retailers who requested credit facilities or refused to buy from the company.

The response follows allegations by the Namibian Fuel and Franchise Association (Fafa) that Nasan failed to honour supply commitments to some retailers who had paid in advance.

Nasan officially assumed control of the sites on 27 May following transactions approved under conditions imposed by the Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC).

The company immediately shifted retailers from the traditional load-over-load credit model previously used by Vivo Energy and Engen to an upfront payment system.

On 2 June, Nasan introduced a 'Bring the Cash Incentive', offering retailers a 50-cent-per-litre rebate on full truckload orders of 40 000 litres paid for 24 hours in advance.

However, a formal demand letter issued by Fafa on 4 June and copied to energy minister Modestus Amutse and senior officials at the NaCC alleged that several retailers borrowed money from commercial banks to make upfront fuel payments, only to face delayed or failed deliveries.

Nasan's managing director, Jean-Blaise Ollomo, told Namibian Sun on Monday that Fafa was spreading lies about the company.

Ollomo challenged the fuel association to "come forward and be specific about the retailers who are complaining about not receiving fuel”.

He added that around 20 retailers have requested that the programme be extended for two months.

“I said no, and maybe I’ll think about it,” he said.

He suggested that some of the criticism directed at Nasan is fuelled by unhappy competitors.

“Others are competitors in the industry who are not happy that Nasan Energies won the bid to acquire 52 Engen and Shell-branded fuel service stations across Namibia from Vivo Energy,” he said.

“So far, five out of 42 (sic) service stations have been rebranded, and we are still busy,” Ollomo added.

Heated exchange

Ollomo also engaged in a heated WhatsApp exchange with fuel association chairperson Michael Ludeke over Fafa’s accusations.

In one message sent to Ludeke, and seen by Namibian Sun, Ollomo accused the fuel association of unfairly targeting Nasan while remaining silent when other fuel companies experience supply disruptions.

“Was Fafa even present when that commitment was made? Why does Fafa only run to the media for Nasan? You don't see public outcries when Puma, Total, or Vivo stations run dry,” he wrote.

“There was no media coverage about Engen Ocean View's delayed Shell rebranding, nor about the unbranded sites currently locked in legal disputes with Vivo. Fafa's actions are blatantly biased and targeted against Nasan,” Ollomo wrote.

Ludeke rejected the accusations and accused Nasan of avoiding the central issue of fuel deliveries that retailers claim were paid for but never received.

“Fafa does not need to have been present at the meeting of 2 June 2026 to hold Nasan to its word. Are you suggesting that the accounts of the dealers who attended the meeting are false?

“By raising unrelated matters instead of addressing the core issue – namely Nasan's failure to honour the undertakings given on 2 June and the continued non-delivery of fuel that dealers have already paid for – you are simply deflecting from the question at hand,” Ludeke responded.

He maintained that Fafa’s actions were not directed specifically at Nasan but were aimed at protecting affected retailers.

“I can state categorically that Fafa's actions are not biased against Nasan. Fafa represents its members, and at present it is the Nasan dealers who are bearing the brunt of this situation,” he said.

Ludeke further indicated that Fafa would support Nasan sourcing fuel from any legitimate supplier, including Vivo Energy, provided the company formally commits in writing to the undertakings discussed during the 2 June meeting.

“The ball is in your court,” Ludeke told Ollomo.

Fafa has also alleged that Nasan may be creating artificial supply shortages to pressure Amutse into allowing the company to source fuel directly from Vivo Energy.

However, Nasan has not addressed that allegation directly.

Ollomo has spent more than three decades in the downstream petroleum sector and previously served as managing director of Engen Petroleum Zambia before becoming chief executive of Engen Namibia.