- 186 high-impact projects selected
- forms an investment pipeline valued at P514 billion over the next decade
Following the approval by parliament, the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP) now enters its execution stage, which Vice President and Minister of Finance, Ndaba Gaolathe has described as the most consequential phase.
“Success is defined not by what we envision, but by what we deliver,” Gaolathe stressed during the showcasing of BETP projects, during the showcasing of the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP) projects in Gaborone this week.
The initiative aims to transition Botswana’s economy from being heavily reliant on diamonds to a diversified, digitally enabled, and export-driven one. The Vice President declared the programme as a comprehensive blueprint designed to reposition the nation for a rapidly changing global economy. He emphasised that BETP is “a complete redesign of Botswana’s economic architecture.”
The programme focuses on six economic sectors Tourism, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Financial Services and Digitalisation, Energy and Mining, and Infrastructure alongside social priorities such as healthcare, education and social protection.
In shaping the programme, 6,925 ideas were submitted by citizens and investors and they were refined into 186 high-impact projects through intensive BETP Labs that brought together government, industry and academia. The projects form an investment pipeline valued at P514 billion over the next decade.
Gaolathe highlighted that meaningful transformation cannot be government-funded alone. Sixty percent of BETP projects are private-sector led, with the government acting as a facilitator by addressing land allocation issues, speeding up permits and reducing bureaucratic barriers. He cited early signs of momentum in projects such as the Xinii Resort, TEMCO Hospital, the Centre for Nuclear Medicine & Theragnostic, rehabilitation of the Botswana Railways main line, Glen Valley Wastewater Plant redevelopment and the Maun Airport expansion.
Many proposed reforms, he said, are specifically designed to improve the business environment. These include amendments to allow direct power purchase agreements, streamlined environmental assessments for renewable energy, and updates to the Agrochemicals Act to support organic production and access to premium markets.
To ensure delivery, the Ministry of Finance has established a BETP Secretariat to act as a central coordination unit, reporting directly to the President and Vice President. Its mandate is to track progress, escalate bottlenecks and keep implementation moving. Gaolathe compared the model to successful national delivery mechanisms used in countries such as Malaysia, Rwanda and Morocco.
He clarified that the BETP works hand in hand with the upcoming National Development Plan 12 (NDP 12), saying: “NDP 12 defines what Botswana aims to achieve as a nation, while the BETP defines how we will get there.”
Calling on financiers, Gaolathe urged them to broaden their focus beyond government-led ventures and invest more deeply in private-sector projects that will diversify Botswana’s economy. He also encouraged project owners to embrace partnerships, blended finance and even stock market listings where needed to achieve scale. At the same time, he reaffirmed the critical role of the media in strengthening transparency and national cohesion.
Gaolathe announced the launch of the BETP Digital Portal (BETP.GOV.BW), a platform providing detailed project information, sector insights and partnership opportunities. The portal, he said, symbolises Botswana’s commitment to openness and investor engagement.
