26 Feb 2026

A new chapter in Botswana’s urban housing story has unfolded with the launch of The Residency, a 135-unit residential development in Block 8, Gaborone, that blends modern design, infrastructure integration and a rent-to-own pathway aimed at expanding homeownership among young working Batswana.

More than a property unveiling, the launch signalled what stakeholders described as a replicable model of how disciplined institutional capital, strategic land use and coordinated infrastructure can translate national development ambitions into tangible community outcomes.

Developed by Letsema Property Fund in partnership with Messidor Investments, and working alongside Botswana Railways and the Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund (BPOPF), The Residency offers a mix of modern studio pads, one-bedroom apartments, standard two-bedroom units and spacious two-bedroom deluxe apartments.

Entry-level monthly payments start from P3,500 under a rent-to-own model designed to ease the transition from tenancy to ownership.

Officiating at the launch in Gaborone, Minister of Water and Human Settlement, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi said the project reflects Botswana’s commitment to dignified housing, resilient infrastructure and water-smart urban planning.

“We gather not simply to unveil buildings, but to affirm Botswana’s commitment to building resilient communities anchored in policy, responsible investment, and secure water resources,” he said, linking the development to Vision 2036 and National Development Plan 12.

Assistant Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Keoagile Atamelang underscored that housing delivery must go hand in hand with serviced land and connectivity. Roads, transport linkages and utility corridors, he said were what transform structures into functioning communities by reducing commuting costs and supporting local economic activity.

“Land without servicing is not development, and buildings without connectivity are not communities. The Residency’s design therefore, integrates accessibility, safety, and practical connectivity,” he said.

From the private sector, Messidor Investments Committee chairperson, Ms Charlotte Mathula described the project as evidence of what can be achieved when institutional capital aligned with national priorities. She said collaboration between the investment partners enabled a diversified unit mix and a structured rent-to-own pathway without compromising governance standards or financial discipline.

Messidor Investments executive director for portfolio management, Ms Una Munamati added that the development balanced commercial sustainability with measurable social impact. Beyond providing homes, she said the project had generated employment, transferred skills and stimulated local supply chains.

“We build developments that are commercially sound, well-governed, and responsive to real household needs,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the BPOPF Board of Trustees’ chairperson, Directorate of Public Service Management director, Ms Gaone Macholo said pension capital could play a transformative role in national development when deployed responsibly.

“Investment changes lives at scale only when land is activated and infrastructure connects people to opportunity,” she said, noting that the rent-to-own model supported wealth creation at household level while maintaining financial prudence.

Strategically located on land unlocked through institutional collaboration, The Residency illustrates how planning, policy and capital can converge to deliver liveable, connected neighbourhoods. Stakeholders expressed hope that similar projects could be replicated across the country, positioning housing not merely as a sectoral issue, but as a cornerstone of inclusive growth and long-term nation-building.

As the first residents prepare to move in, The Residency stands as a visible testament to a broader ambition: that when government, private investors and professional managers align their efforts, communities flourish, pension savings are productively invested, and Botswana’s vision for high-quality, inclusive urban living draws closer to reality. BOPA