05 Aug 2026

Government is currently sourcing funds from international development partners to finance a major P505 million national electrification programme targeting 112 communities, Parliament heard on Monday.

Responding to a parliamentary question, Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Bogolo Kenewendo said funding was being sought from organisations including the World Bank, African Development Bank and European Union to connect 20 new villages to the grid and expand network extensions across 92 others.

The beneficiary communities listed for the 2024/2025 financial year include Mahotshwane, Kanaku and Thankane villages. 

However, the minister said financial constraints had slowed implementation in some areas.

“A contractor was appointed for the electrification of Mahotshwane village in June, with anticipated completion in January 2027. Given the current financial challenges, the project has not been fully executed as construction works have not commended in a number of villages including Kanaku and Thankane,” Ms Kenewendo said.

The minister explained that full-scale works in Kanaku and Thankane would proceed once international funding was finalised.

Jwaneng-Mabutsane MP, Mr Omphemetse Kwapa, had asked when the affected villages would be electrified. ENDS