17 Oct 2022

Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) is sustaining a total of 6 000 jobs in Botswana.

 Managing director, Mr Cross Kgosidiile said at a Botswana Development Corporation Media Day recently.

He said Botswana Development Corporation was not focused only on financial returns, but the entire basket of value, which came with projects.

He said in financing a project, they look into the financial return as well as impact on the community, particularly issues of job creation.

Currently, Botswana Development Corporation is running four projects including the Oxygen Gas Project in Selebi Phikwe, which is expected to create over 100 jobs upon completion.

The company, Mr Kgosidiile said would manufacture industrial and medical gas.

He said the organisation was also involved in the revival of Lobatse Clay Works; refurbishing its equipment and bringing in new management to turn the business’ fortunes around.

MilkAfric project is also one project Botswana Development Corporation is currently involved on.

The project, a dairy farm, is expected to create 215 jobs.

He said at full capacity, the farm should have 5 000 animals, which will meet about 20 per cent of the country’s milk requirement.

Delta Automotive, an operational company that Botswana Development Corporation owns 60 per cent stake of, specialises in the manufacturing car harnesses.

He said the company had contracts with Nissan South Africa and Volkswagen.

“It employs about 600 people, and there are some contracts that are in the pipeline, which we believe will be operational by 2025 and should generate an additional 500 jobs,” said Mr Kgosidiile.

Further, he said Botswana Development Corporation played a role in sustainable infrastructure development in the country.

Additionally, he said in a good year Botswana Development Corporation had made disbursements of P800 million.

However, he said since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, they disbursed less than P400 million. ENDS