16 Jun 2025

The Vice President, also Minister of Finance, Mr Ndaba Gaolathe  has undertaken a two-day working visit to Vienna, to attend and address the 2025 OPEC Fund Development Forum, which will start today until Wednesday.

According to a press release from the Office of the President, the forum brings together Heads of State, Ministers of Finance, global policy-makers, and institutional investors to discuss bold, inclusive solutions to the world’s most pressing development challenges under the theme: A Transition That Empowers Our Tomorrow. 

Key agenda topics include inclusive growth, climate resilience, digital transformation, and South-South cooperation, all of which align closely with Botswana’s development priorities.

According to the release, the forum is organised by the OPEC Fund for International Development, a globally respected multilateral development finance institution founded by the Member States of the Oganisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). It serves as a platform for high-level dialogue and action on sustainable development financing, particularly in emerging and developing economies.

The release states that this historic engagement marks the first time Botswana has been invited to address the OPEC Fund Forum, underscoring the country’s rising international profile and its leadership on economic transformation and sustainable development.

While in Vienna, the release says Mr Gaolathe will deliver a keynote address in the high level session on Digital Acceleration for Growth and Inclusion, sign the country Partnership Framework (CPF) with the OPEC Fund, outlining a four-year roadmap (2025-2029) for cooperation in priority sectors including energy, infrastructure, and innovation and also conduct strategic bilateral meetings with major development financiers, multilateral banks, and institutional investors to advance Botswana’s development finance priorities.

“This official engagement, is part of the government’s broader effort to mobilise high impact investment, build global partnerships, and ensure Botswana’s development priorities are represented at critical international forums.”  The release says government remains committed to transparency and to ensuring that every international engagement translates into real and measurable value for Batswana. The Vice President is accompanied by senior government officials and is expected to return to Botswana on Thursday.

During his absence, the Assistant Minister of Communications and Innovation, Mr Shawn Nthaile, will serve as Acting Minister of Finance. BOPA