In a concerted effort to deepen economic transformation and fortify private sector-led industrial development, Botswana has reaffirmed its strategic alliance with the African Development Bank Group (AfDB). The engagement follows high-level discussions held on 15 April in Gaborone between Botswana’s Vice President and Minister of Finance, Ndaba Gaolathe, and a senior delegation from the AfDB led by Leila Mokaddem, Director General for Southern Africa.
During the meeting, Vice President Gaolathe delineated Botswana’s key development priorities, which include the digitisation of the economy, agricultural commercialisation, and revitalisation of state-owned enterprises. These initiatives are aligned with the government’s broader aim of reducing public sector dependency and enabling a more dynamic, private sector-driven growth model. “We are well placed to deepen the relationship with the African Development Bank to support private sector initiatives,” stated Gaolathe, emphasising Botswana’s ambition to become a significant player in the automotive manufacturing sector.
The Vice President praised the enduring partnership with the African Development Bank, noting its evolving role as a vital stakeholder in Botswana’s developmental aspirations. “I have also seen how the Bank has modernised and continued to grow. It is an organisation I greatly admire and will continue to partner with in our economic transformation agenda,” he said.
In response, Mokaddem reaffirmed the AfDB’s commitment to supporting Botswana’s strategic objectives, particularly as they relate to Vision 2036, the national long-term development blueprint. She highlighted that targeted reforms, institutional capacity building, and private sector empowerment are instrumental in achieving sustained economic progress. Botswana, she noted, is well positioned to emerge as a regional hub for logistics and manufacturing.
Moono Mupotola, the Bank Group’s Deputy Director General for Southern Africa and Country Manager for Botswana, echoed these sentiments, underscoring the strength of the bilateral relationship and affirming the AfDB’s readiness to continue its technical and financial assistance.
Central to the dialogue were a range of short- and medium-term support mechanisms proposed by the Bank. Among these is the Governance and Economic Resilience Support Programme (GERSP), which aims to enhance fiscal governance and stimulate private sector participation. The AfDB has earmarked up to $1 billion in potential funding, with $304 million immediately available for deployment in 2025. Additionally, technical assistance will be provided to address key bottlenecks in the execution of Botswana’s public investment programme.
Water security also featured prominently in the discussions. The Lesotho-Botswana Water Transfer Project is set to address critical water and sanitation challenges by constructing a 700-kilometre pipeline linking South Africa and Botswana, bolstering sustainable supply.
Furthermore, the Bank is supporting an expansive portfolio of infrastructure initiatives across transport, energy, and logistics. These include comprehensive transport sector support—spanning roads, railways, and aviation—and feasibility studies for strategic electricity transmission lines connecting Botswana with South Africa and Zambia. These efforts are seen as essential for overcoming constraints in water provision, energy availability, and workforce skill alignment—all crucial for unlocking private sector potential.
Mokaddem concluded by noting that the Bank will continue leveraging its technical expertise and financial resources to aid Botswana’s economic diversification and industrialisation strategy.
Past investments by the AfDB, including support for Lobatse Clay Works and Delta Automotive Technologies, were highlighted as proof of the transformative potential of well-targeted developmental financing.
This renewed commitment underscores Botswana’s strategic shift towards a more competitive, private sector-led economy—anchored in innovation, infrastructure development, and regional integration.
