03 Aug 2026

Rural communities and farmers struggling with high electricity connection costs could soon see relief following a motion passed by Parliament that urged government to fast-track the unbundling of the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC).

Tabling the motion recently, Mogoditshane West MP, Mr Galenawabo Lekau argued that allowing local and privately owned companies to connect power to homes and farms, would liberalise the sector and guarantee equitable energy distribution nationwide.

Supporting the motion, Kgatleng East MP, Mr Mabuse Pule called for quick implementation, noting that breaking BPC’s monopoly would drive down prices, improve service delivery and spark innovation.

“When local companies compete to provide electricity, communities gain distinct advantages,” Mr Pule said, adding that fear of reform had delayed necessary changes under previous administrations. He commended the ministry for taking initial steps towards unbundling the state power utility.

Mr Pule also noted that BPC currently retained exclusive rights to generate, transmit, supply and distribute power, a model that frequently led to long delays and exorbitant connection quotes, particularly for remote farms. 

Allowing private contractors, he argued, would give consumers affordable alternatives, bringing Botswana in line with regional peers like Zambia and Zimbabwe, which had already abandoned the single-buyer model.

Echoing the same sentiments, Kanye West MP, Mr Victor Phologolo said ending the monopoly would lower costs, expand grid access and accelerate rollout of renewable energy. Under the proposed framework, private companies would handle infrastructure setup, while BPC would maintain oversight by conducting safety testing and house wiring inspections before final grid hook-ups.

Mr Phologolo also highlighted that private sector involvement could alleviate chronic infrastructure issues like cable theft. 

In his constituency alone, he said over 300 residents had faced months of blackouts while waiting for BPC to source replacement cabling.

Contributing to the debate, Shashe West MP, Mr Jeremiah Frenzel emphasised the potential for localised solar projects. 

He indicated that the country’s vast solar energy capacity remained largely untapped and argued that private power producers could build localised solar microgrids to lower industrial operating costs and end sole reliance on BPC.

“It is high time we give capable private companies an opportunity to compete. They can bring lasting solutions to both connection backlogs and cable theft,” Mr Frenzel said.

Tonota MP, Mr Gaefele Sedombo pointed out practical local benefits, citing horticulture farmers along the Shashe River who had long struggled to power their farms due to prohibitive BPC connection fees.

Responding to MPs’ debate, Mr Lekau emphasised that the motion aimed to ensure universal access to affordable power for both homes and key production centres, regardless of geographic location. 

He said high tariffs continued to deprive citizens of basic comfort and agricultural productivity, hence confident that unbundling BPC would break the monopoly, lower rates and strengthen grid reliability nationwide. ENDS