10 Nov 2025

The government has formed a strategic partnership with an investor consortium, facilitated by the Ministry of Minerals and Energy, to strengthen Botswana’s energy sector.

The partnership focuses on energy security, infrastructure modernisation and economic diversification.

This was revealed by the Minister of Energy and Minerals, Ms Bogolo Kenewendo, in her welcome remarks, during a recent press conference that marked the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the global investors, which are: Thirty-Five Global Links, Mercuria Asia Holdings, Ulsan Holdings, and Innovation Global Industries.

Ms Kenewendo emphasised electricity as a key driver of industrialisation and noted that the partnership would help modernise infrastructure, including transportation systems, to drive economic growth and development.

She noted that the partnership would diversify the economy beyond diamond mining, invest in renewable energy sources like solar, and strengthen energy infrastructure, thereby reducing reliance on a single industry.

The minister expressed delight that the government had partnered with companies that possessed a wide range of skills and experience in areas that would enhance national energy security and strengthen the infrastructure base.

This, she said, would help realise President Advocate Duma Boko’s vision by ensuring a consistent electricity supply for homes and industry.

Minister Kenewendo stated that the partnership aligned with Botswana’s long-term goal of modernising its infrastructure, embracing renewable energy, and reducing its carbon footprint.

“We intend to have a balanced electricity generation mix, combining coal and renewable energy, by 2030 in a 50-50 ratio. We have an ambition to ensure that we not only provide for our domestic needs, but we start to reach out to the export market,” she said.

Additionally, the minister noted that the partnership would explore the development of new power generation, incorporating advanced clean coal and renewable energy technologies, including the integration of renewable energy sources, particularly solar, to diversify Botswana’s energy mix and advance the transition to sustainable energy.

She said it was also exploring opportunities in manufacturing and the expansion of electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure, emphasising that the country’s infrastructure desperately needed upgrading and replacement in some areas. ENDS