Petroleum Fund – EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI): IMPLEMENTATION OF USED OIL MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING PROGRAMME IN LESOTHO

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI):

IMPLEMENTATION OF USED OIL MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING PROGRAMME IN LESOTHO

PF/EOI/2025/2026-01

Background

The Petroleum Fund (referred to herein as the Fund) is a statutory organisation under the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, which was established through Legal Notice No. 96 of 1997 under the Finance Order of 1988.  The organisation is further delegated, under the Fuel and Services Control (Delegation Notice) Number 32 of 2021, the powers to set the price and time at which Petroleum Products may be adjusted.  It is managed by the Board of Directors, while day-to-day activities are administered by the Secretariat, headed by the Chief Executive Officer, and its operations are guided by the Lesotho (Petroleum Fund) Regulations of 2021.

Guided by its 2025 – 2030 Strategic Plan, Petroleum Fund actively implements initiatives that drive economic growth, foster job creation, and advance environmental sustainability.

In 2023, the Fund commissioned a Feasibility Study on the Management and Recycling of Used Oil in Lesotho, which estimated that over 1.1 million litres of used oil are generated annually across the country. The study identified significant environmental hazards associated with improper disposal and presented an investment case for a nationally coordinated used oil collection, recycling, and re-refining system based on Vacuum Distillation Technology. The proposed system demonstrated strong economic viability, with a Net Present Value (NPV) of LSL 42 million and an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 24.8% over a 25-year horizon.

Objective of the EOI

The Fund seeks Expressions of Interest from qualified and experienced organisations, companies or consortia to implement the Used Oil Management and Recycling Programme recommended in the Feasibility Study. The objective is to establish an environmentally sound, financially sustainable, and circular system for used oil management in Lesotho.

Scope of Work

The selected partner(s) will be expected to:

1. Design and operationalise a national used oil collection and transportation network across all regions to ensure efficient and environmentally sound handling;
2. Establish a used oil re-refining facility, preferably employing Vacuum Distillation Technology as recommended in the feasibility study;
3. Develop and implement an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework in collaboration with relevant ministries and industry stakeholders, and communities to promote producer accountability and sustainable practices;
4. Support policy, regulatory, and institutional strengthening, including the domestication of Basel Convention principles;
5. Implement awareness, monitoring, and reporting programmes to ensure compliance and environmental protection.

Eligibility Criteria

Interested organisations should demonstrate:

1. Proven experience in hazardous waste management, petroleum recycling, or environmental infrastructure projects;
2. Technical expertise in used oil re-refining technologies (e.g., distillation, solvent extraction, or similar);
3. Financial capacity to mobilise capital and sustain project operations;
4. Strong partnerships with local entities, government institutions, or international development partners;
5. Commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.
6. Proven track record of successful project management and execution;

Submission Requirements

Interested applicants must submit:

1. A cover letter indicating interest and understanding of the assignment;
2. A company profile detailing relevant experience and track record;
3. Project concept outlining the approach and technology;
4. Preliminary financial model or investment concept;
5. Details of key experts and consortium partners (if applicable);
6. Valid business registration and tax clearance certificates.

Submission Instructions

Proposals must be submitted in sealed packages clearly marked:

“PF/EOI/2025/2026-01 – USED OIL MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION” to the following address:

Petroleum Fund of Lesotho
LCCI Building

Orpen Road, Old Europa
Maseru 100, Lesotho

Online submissions may be made by sending password-protected PDF documents to supplier@petroleum.org.ls by the set deadline. The e-mail subject must be “PF/EOI/2025/2026-01 – USED OIL MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION”

Deadline for submission: Friday, 16^th January 2026 at 12:00 hrs (Lesotho time).

Late submissions will not be considered.

DISCLAIMER

Only shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in the subsequent Request for Proposals (RFP) stage. The Petroleum Fund reserves the right to accept or reject any submission without assigning reasons.

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