Botswana’s creative industries are poised for significant growth under the 12th National Development Plan (NDP 12), with the government is unveiling a strategic framework aimed at professionalising, commercialising, and promoting the arts as a key driver of economic diversification and cultural preservation.
Presenting the plan, Jacob Kelebeng, minister of sport and arts, highlighted the potential of the creative sector to contribute to Botswana’s economy, noting its role in preserving cultural identity, promoting national pride, and creating jobs.
“The creative industries preserve Botswana’s cultural identity, enable intergenerational knowledge transfer, promote national pride and identity, as well as social cohesion,” Kelebeng said.
Although Botswana’s creative sector currently contributes marginally to GDP, averaging less than 1%, it registered a 4.3% growth in 2023, and is expected to maintain growth above 5.4% during NDP 12. The sector encompasses arts, cultural goods and services, entertainment, marketing, and creative tourism.
“The deliberate inclusion of the creative industry in NDP12 serves to formalize the sector and demonstrate the government’s commitment to unlocking its potential for exponential growth,” Kelebeng stated.
The sector currently operates largely informally, yet provides employment for many Batswana. The NDP 12 framework will aim to increase local content production, generate more jobs, and strengthen economic resilience.
The government plans to develop purpose-built infrastructure to support creative production and cultural expression, including, Construction of a state-of-the-art national theater, Community-based creative hubs in urban and rural areas aningst a few mentions.
“Investment in infrastructure and provision of equipment tailored to the needs of the creative industry will foster growth for high-quality creative content production,” Kelebeng said.
A dedicated Film Commission will be established to regulate the film and television industry, market Botswana as a preferred filming destination, and facilitate co-productions. The government also plans to support financial incentives, tax relief, and grants to attract investment in the arts sector.
“Various financial incentives and tax measures should be adopted. This includes cash rebates, tax credits and exemptions,” the minister said.
Streaming platforms and social media will also be leveraged to promote Botswana’s creatives internationally, enhancing both global recognition and revenue. Partnerships with Google, Meta, and TikTok are planned to support content monetization.
Recognizing the importance of nurturing talent, NDP 12 emphasizes skills development through education, mentorship, scholarships, and internships. The plan also includes creative incubators to support emerging artists and youth programs that combine cultural expression with entrepreneurship training.
“Building a skilled workforce is vital for sustainable growth in the creative sector,” Kelebeng noted.
The creative industries are not only an economic driver but a means to preserve Botswana’s rich heritage. Kelebeng stressed the importance of professionalisation and commercialisation to ensure sustainability:
“This comprehensive approach seeks to create a supportive environment that actively empowers Batswana to commercialise, preserve, and celebrate their cultural heritage.”
