03 Aug 2021

Botswana and the US governments are working together in efforts to take the southern African country to the next level as an energy producer, consumer and exporter through a mega solar project which will ensure renewable energy security.

This was said by visiting US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Ms Victoria Nuland in an interview following a meeting with the President at Office of the President yesterday.

 Ms Nuland said the solar energy project, a joint partnership between Botswana and Namibia with the US as the financier, had the potential to transform the Botswana economy as well as making the country a world leader in green innovation.

In addition, it would establish Botswana as a leader in non-covin electricity sources around the world and create a whole economic ecosystem with RND panel technology, she said. 

Ms Nuland said it would also bring into Botswana good scientific high tech green jobs as well as put the country on the map as a leader of the kind of economy democracies needed going forward.

Pointing out that Botswana had a high level of sunlight, Ms Nuland said solar power could be harnessed not only into electricity source for Batswana but also for exporting to neighbouring countries.

She revealed that engagement on regulatory and capacity issues had been going on for some time although delayed due to COVID-19.

Emphasising the importance of the project to her government, she said the US was committed to getting it off the ground. 

In 2020, Botswana joined the US, Australia, Canada and Peru as a founding partner of the Energy Resource Governance Initiative (ERGI).

Meanwhile, Ms Nuland has said the US was committed to get more vaccines to Botswana through COVAX as quickly as possible to assist in the fight against COVID-19. 

On other issues, she commended Botswana on the strong leadership the country had shown regionally through President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation Dr Lemogang Kwape.Ms Nuland also said Botswana’s troop deployment in Mozambique and diplomacy in eSwatini was crucial and was welcomed by the US government. Ends