27 Apr 2026

The Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs has expressed commitment to continue engaging with stakeholders, to ensure successful implementation of the Ikageng Public Works Programme, reinforcing government’s broader goals of sustainable livelihoods and effective local governance in Botswana.

A press statement from the ministry says that at the district level, authorities have begun disseminating information and rolling out the framework to local leadership structures and communities.

“This process will ultimately lead to the identification of project proposals spanning multiple sectors of the economy, which are scheduled for implementation in the 2026/2027 financial year,” notes the release.

It further says the mobilisation phase, which includes project identification, assessment of training requirements, selection of facilitators and procurement processes is expected to be completed within the first half of the financial year.

Furthermore, the statement says while preparations are underway, participants in the programme continue to be engaged in labour-based initiatives nationwide.

The approach is meant to ensure that social protection measures remain in place for vulnerable members of society during the transition period and in addition, a new performance-based model will be introduced to enhance productivity and overall programme outcomes.

The ministry outlined several key provisions that will apply during the transition, such that the current number of beneficiaries will be maintained as employment targets, with a focus on creating sustainable opportunities for long-term absorption, monthly rotation will apply only to labour-based initiatives, while participation in other projects will be aligned with the duration of specific projects, allowance rates remain unchanged at P817 for labourers and P901 for supervisors.

Working hours will continue at six hours per day and eligibility for participation is set between the ages of 18 and 64. ends