10 Aug 2026

The Ministry of Minerals and Energy in partnership with the European Union have launched the Accelerating Sustainable and Productive Investment in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Programme (ASPIRE) to transition towards a cleaner, more sustainable and resilient energy future.

The €5.5 million project (about P87 million), funded by the European Union and expected to be implemented over a four-year period from February 2026 to January 2030 is anticipated to scale up renewable energy from eight to 50 per cent within the said period.

 The project aims to provide capacity development, targeted technical support and policy support to strengthen Botswana’s energy sector and improve energy efficiency, creating an enabling environment for increased private sector investment in green energy solutions. Speaking at the launch, Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Bogolo Kenewendo, confirmed Botswana’s obligation to energy reforms through strategic partnerships, innovation and industry targeted investment towards a more efficient, future ready energy framework.

“The programme rests on three objectives being strengthened institutional capacity and regulatory reform, enhanced energy efficiency and increased renewable generation and inclusive access using through domestic energy sources,” said Ms Kenewendo.

Minister Kenewendo further highlighted the need to create sustainable solutions through enforceable equipment and efficiency standards, creating an energy efficiency strategy that was operational rather than published, a pipeline of bankable projects with rules clear enough for an investor to comprehend, reduce imports and build an overall ecosystem that was actually functional and efficient.

The EU ambassador to Botswana and SADC, Ms Petra Pereyra, reaffirmed the EU’s longstanding diplomatic cooperation with Botswana, based on shared values of democracy and human rights. She highlighted Botswana’s need to harness its infinite solar energy to respond to global climate challenges. 

“Transforming energy sources to solar is vital for Botswana to achieve energy security, eliminate costly power imports, and utilise world-class solar irradiation levels and support a more secure, diversified and sustainable energy system,” said Ms Pereyra.

ASPRIRE Botswana aims to address institutional, regulatory, technical and market barriers to unlock renewable energy efficiency across the public and private sector as a key foundational governance framework, paving the way for extrinsic tangible outcomes.

The initiative has made tangible strides producing 42 trained and certified solar energy practitioners across government and private sector, specialising in rooftop solar and energy efficiency, a first for home grown institutions.  

Furthermore, the Department of Energy has completed energy audits, identifying energy saving opportunities of more than P436, 000 every year from lighting alone, across 13 public service estates. As Botswana advances towards a low-carbon and inclusive energy future, the ministry commits to delivering quality assurance in the rooftop solar market, scaling the repair of the Rooftop Solar Programme, opening the transmission network to private sector participation as well as energy efficiency and clean consumption. ENDS