29 Oct 2026

Botswana is implementing projects under a multi-billion-dollar investment agreement with Qatar through the Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) and other state entities.

Answering a question from Kgosi Khama IV of Bangwato during the ongoing 7th Meeting of the 5th Ntlo Ya Dikgosi session, Assistant Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Mr Baratiwa Mathoothe, said significant milestones had been achieved in implementing the investment framework.

Kgosi Khama had sought an update on the status of the investment and its direct impact on the economy.

Mr Mathoothe said the partnership, formalised with Qatar’s Al Mansour Holdings, was progressing in phases, with agreements being translated into commercially viable operations.

He said projects such as Botswana Airport City and the Serowe Coal Bed Gas Project had entered the implementation phase.

“The foundational infrastructure at Botswana Airport City has already been completed, and a 4,000-square-metre factory shell is currently under construction, scheduled for handover by March 2027,” said Mr Mathoothe.

He added that major structural construction of the main mixed-use zone, which would comprise a hotel and an international convention centre, was scheduled to begin by the end of 2026.

Once completed, the urban development project is expected to create about 20 000 direct jobs, he said.

On the Serowe Coal Bed Gas Project, Mr Mathoothe said core environmental approvals for pipeline corridors and processing hubs had been secured, while the project was undergoing testing.

He said the project had achieved a technical breakthrough, bringing Botswana closer to domestic gas production.

Mr Mathoothe clarified that the multi-sector financing framework did not involve a direct cash deposit into government treasury accounts. Instead, funds would flow directly into technical operations and joint ventures as the projects progressed towards implementation. ENDS