23 Mar 2026

Assistant Minister of Communications and Innovation, Mr Shawn Nthaile has described NuCarbon Containerised Pyrolysis Plant as a major step toward Botswana’s transition to a circular economy and industrial innovation.

Speaking at its launch in Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) on Thursday, Mr Nthaile said the project demonstrated how locally driven research can evolve into practical, market-ready technologies.

The NuCarbon plant converts agricultural waste, specifically poultry litter, into valuable products such as biochar and energy. The technology originated from academic research led by Daniel Botha during his PhD studies at BIUST.

Recognising the potential of the innovation, government, through the Botswana Innovation Fund, invested P1.49 million to support the development of a proof-of-concept.

“This is exactly the type of innovation pathway we want to see more often in Botswana,” Mr Nthaile said, emphasising the importance of linking university research, funding mechanisms, and industrial application.

He noted that the project highlighted the critical role local universities played in generating solutions that could contribute to national development. The plant, he added, represented the culmination of research, funding support, and commercialisation through NuCarbon Technology.

As Botswana’s poultry sector continues to expand, Mr Nthaile said the pyrolysis technology offered a sustainable solution to waste management challenges by transforming waste into useful resources.

Founder of NuCarbon Technology, Dr Botha, said the containerised unit had already gained international recognition, including attracting investment, publication in peer-reviewed journals, and securing intellectual property registered under Botswana.

He said this technology was conceived and developed locally, in partnership with BIUST researchers and students. Acting Vice Chancellor of BIUST, Professor Elisha Shemang, described the project as a strong example of collaboration between academia, industry, and government.

“It illusrtates how universities can act as engines of innovation, developing solutions that address national challenges while advancing scientific knowledge,” he said.

Professor Shemang added that the project required persistence, creativity, and dedication, praising the researchers behind it as a reflection of the institution’s growing talent base. The launch marks not the end, but the beginning of scaling the technology for wider adoption and economic impact in Botswana. BOPA