07 Oct 2026

Botswana’s current economic situation calls for individuals, corporates and communities to make concerted efforts toward its resuscitation.

“It is at this juncture that the country is compelled to pause and introspect for purposes of finding alternative avenues to keep the economy afloat,” says BALA president, Mr Molatedi Selala.

Mr Selala was delivering a keynote address during the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Botswana Association of Local Authorities (BALA) and Maikarabelo Movement in Gaborone Monday.

The MoU will focus on community stewardship, youth and women empowerment, and local economic development, while the collaboration will help BALA implement the mechanism through the full council, councillors and community level

Mr Selala, therefore, said Botswana found itself at yet another crossroads, where the mainstay on the national economy, diamonds, was experiencing a decline due to market complexities way beyond the country’s control.

To re-ignite and inculcate the national principles of Self-Reliance, Unity, Botho, Democracy and Development, that sustained the nation but eroded over the years, Mr Selala said BALA and Maikarabelo Movement found it fitting to join hands and contribute towards economic growth.

He said the principles and aims resonated with BALA’s aspirations of capacitating Botswana entities and industries through the national-led framework, to elevate production qualities to be able to compete in the global market.

“We need to see our products outcompete foreign products in the shelves of local markets,” he said.

Mr Selala said the solution was in individuals, corporates, private enterprises and communities, taking responsibility to contribute towards national economic growth.

Maikarabelo Movement conveyor, Mr Callistus Phologolo, said the movement was aimed at developing the skills of 100 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), to compete in regional and continental markets as part of efforts to unlock jobs, markets and contribute to economic diversification.

The initiative, Mr Phologolo said had three strategic pillars: social cohesion and nation building, skills development and capacity building, and community revitalisation and mindset shift.

As part of the initiative, he said Maikarabelo Movement had developed the Maikarabelo National Development Textile Programme, with training for SMEs in Francistown and Maun.

Mr Phologolo said Botswana had a market of 2.4 million people, while the African Continental Free Trade offered access to a market of approximately 1.4 billion people. 

For that reason, he said the movement had partnered with OptimaLean, a Lesotho based manufacturing enterprise development and capacity building consultancy, to train and facilitate transfer of regional manufacturing skills, knowledge and expertise.

The training takes place in Gaborone, Mahalapye and Selebi-Phikwe, with Maun and Francistown to follow.

Mr Phologolo said the SMEs would also produce the Maikarabelo Pride, Patriotism and Legacy Jersey, adding that every P50 from the jersey sales would be remitted for community development, through Maikarabelo Development Fund.

“The partnership with BALA is important, because BALA already reaches communities and understands their dreams and aspirations. Maikarabelo is just a call to every Motswana to take part in growing the country’s economy,” he added. ENDS