Vivo Energy Namibia has named Johan Grobbelaar as its new Managing Director, with the appointment taking effect on 1 December 2025.
Grobbelaar, a Namibian citizen, has more than 25 years of experience in general management, business development, sales and marketing in the fast-moving consumer goods sector and downstream fuel marketing across southern and east Africa.
He has held the role of Vice President for specialties at Vivo Energy since 2023, managing liquefied petroleum gas, aviation, marine and chemicals projects across 28 African markets. Before that, he served as Managing Director for Vivo Energy operations in Uganda, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Prior to joining Vivo Energy in 2013, Grobbelaar spent approximately 13 years with British American Tobacco in senior management positions in Namibia and Zambia.
Hans Paulsen, Executive Vice President for East Africa at Vivo Energy, said, “Johan brings extensive industry expertise, a strong commitment to operational excellence, and a focus on continuous improvement. His appointment will play a key role in further strengthening Vivo Energy’s operations in Namibia.”
Grobbelaar said, “I am honoured to return to Namibia to lead Vivo Energy Namibia, a business that is close to my heart. I look forward to working closely with our talented team and key stakeholders, including industry partners, to drive innovation and operational excellence across the downstream business.Drawing on my experience across multiple sectors and leadership roles, I am confident that together we will further strengthen an already robust organisation and take it to new levels of performance.”
Vivo Energy Namibia distributes and markets Shell-branded fuels and lubricants in the country.
The company was established in October 2012, although the Shell brand has been present in Namibia since 1975.
The wider Vivo Energy Group operates across North, West, East and Southern Africa, with more than 3,900 service stations in 28 markets under the Shell and Engen brands. It also exports lubricants to other African countries and provides fuels, lubricants, card services, convenience stores, restaurants and other non-fuel services.
