05 May 2026

The MoU will primarily focus on identifying district level investment opportunities and unlock their potential for the benefit of communities across Botswana.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of BITC, Mr Keletsositse Olebile said such partnerships were essential enablers that allow BITC to effectively deliver on its mandate of investment promotion, businesses facilitation and market access particularly in facilitating investment and expanding market access.

“Local authorities play a pivotal role as they provide us with access to communities across districts and serve as a bridge between the national initiatives and local opportunities,” Mr Olebile said. Through this MoU, Mr Olebile said they aimed to streamline processes, improve coordination and enhance investor experience in accessing land for development.

He said it would additionally support the Local Economic Development (LED) framework by identifying high-potential projects and local enterprises that could benefit from BITC’s services, develop district-specific investment promotion initiatives aimed at profiling unique opportunities across Botswana. 

He said the MoU was an action committed by BITC, not symbolic agreements but practical frameworks that would be activated through joint implementation teams.

Mr Olebile said the focus was to ensure that the commitments made translated into tangible outcomes that benefited investors, businesses and the community.

“This MoU is aligned to government’s development agenda the National Development Plan (NDP 12) and the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP).

“It further aligns to Vision 2036 of Sustainable Economic Development and Human Social Development and Agenda 2063 - The Africa We Want,” he said.

He said it also spoke to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of Ending poverty in all its forms, Good Health and Wellbeing, Reduced Inequality and Sustainable Cities and Communities. 

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Minister of Local Government & Traditional Affairs, Ms Tshepo Kebakile said the partnership came at an opportune time when there was a call to disrupt the status quo and co-create solutions with communities.

Ms Kebakile said the MoU was a call that ensured that the values of self-reliance, productivity and competitiveness should once again dominate the nation’s development narrative.

Furthermore, she said it was centred on transforming Botswana into a more equitable and prosperous nation, aiming to address poverty, inequality and unemployment and sustainable development.

 “This can be fully realised through empowering communities to leverage on the rich endowment of the country’s unique resources to drive Local Economic Development, rural industrialisation and gain competitive advantage both locally, regionally and internationally. 

The development of value chains and show casing of globally competitive products and services mark a significant shift from a resource dependent economy to a high-income, private sector led, and a digitally enabled nation,” she said.

Ms Kebakile added that the evolution would ensure a people centred, economically diversified Botswana in which every citizen enjoyed equal opportunities.

Meanwhile, BATLA chairperson, projects and programmes, Mr Kgotso Mathe said the MoU would contribute to social economic development and sustainable economic growth of communities. He said land boards should therefore evolve to realise Botswana’s vision of a private sector-led and export economy.

“Land boards should not only be seen as custodians of land, but facilitators of economic growth, enablers of investment and partners for the private sector,” Mr Mathe said. He emphasised that they should be responsive and predictable to the needs of investors as well as citizens.

Mr Mathe also said land boards should actively contribute to supporting industrialisation, entrepreneurship and participation of Botswana in the mainstream economy. ends