The North West District is currently in the process of formulating a 5-year Local Economic Development (LED) Strategy for (2026-2030) in an effort to attract investment and create employment opportunities.
This was revealed by North West District Council, Senior Economist, Gloria Pole during a Stakeholder Engagement Conference that was held in Maun this week meant to align District Development Plan 9 (DDP 9) to National Development Plan (NDP 12).
According to Pole, through the strategy focus will be on key sectors that include tourism, agriculture, mining, financial services and manufacturing to mention but a few.
Pole noted that the tourism sector in the district revolves around Maun’s position as the entry point to the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve. She added that through the strategy they intend to facilitate digital licensing renewals and regulatory reporting in the tourism sector, and make monthly data subscription by operators mandatory.
The senior economist stated that the strategy aims to reduce tourism revenue leakages, to strengthen domestic value retention, increase employment opportunities, stimulate Small Medium Enterprises growth and Tourism Master Plan 2023-2033, seek partnership with stakeholders for joint inspections and monitoring illegal operations.
She also said that the manufacturing industry has the potential to boost the economy of the North West District as such they intend to establish factory shells and accelerate incubators, partnership and collaboration with research and training institutions.
With regard to mining and energy, Pole noted that they intend to make the North West District an industrial hub, establish small-scale processing plants and enforce compliance measures of the Sand and Aggregate Sector, and implement water recycling in processing plants. She said the district’s aim is to establish Public Private Partnership (PPP) for solar, rural Electrification and Network Extension to attain universal access to electricity by 2030.
Pole noted that technology plays an important role in enhancing productivity, financial inclusion and supporting entrepreneurship, therefore through the strategy they intend to introduce digital ID. She highlighted collaboration of financial institutions and banks with businesses in remote areas to act as banking agents. Pole added that they intend to roll out SmartBots to the entire District.
She also revealed that through the LED Strategy their aim is to upgrade rural roads to improve access to markets, health facilities and tourism sites. Pole noted that improved infrastructure will lower the cost of doing business and attract private investment, improve water supply and sanitation systems in growing settlements.
