09 Nov 2026

Botswana is shifting its focus towards infrastructure development, recognising the importance of establishing a robust and enabling environment that will position the country as an attractive destination for industrialization.

Delivering State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) in Gaborone yesterday, President Advocate Duma Boko said government was actively building critical infrastructure that would make Botswana attractive for industrialisation.

He cited the 1,600-kilometre Chobe-Zambezi Water Transfer Scheme among the infrastructure projects set to change the country’s development landscape.

He said the project was being optimised by integrating the Zambezi Agro-Commercial Development Project in Pandamatenga to strengthen food security.

Further, President Boko said the 1,600-kilometre Trans Kalahari Railway Project which had been delayed for over a decade, was being accelerated.

“Following successful conclusion of both Bankable Feasibility Studies, procurement of contractors for both projects will happen during the 2027/2028 financial year,” he said.

Moreover, he said the 82 serviced plots at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport had been transferred to Special Economic Zone (SEZA) under a head lease agreement, adding that the first investor lease had been signed, marking a key milestone in attracting investment and accelerating economic growth.

Furthermore, he said construction of four strategic factory shells was nearing completion, with availability for investor occupation projected for April 2027.

The President also spoke about the P25.5 billion New Airport City development that was being undertaken through a strategic partnership between Botswana Development Cooperation (BDC) and ALBADDAD Holding and its parent company, Alfateen.

He said through this partnership, BDC’s land contribution was valued at approximately P198 million, securing a five per cent golden equity shareholding.

“Located within Sir Seretse Khama International Airport Special Economic Zone, the development is anchored by a 124,000 square metre international exhibition and convention centre. Construction has begun,” he said.

President Boko also revealed that since last SONA, government had added 200 MW of solar power to the National Grid through the Mmadinare and Jwaneng Solar Power Plants, thereby strengthening energy security and advancing the green energy transition.

He added that a 62 per cent reduction in electricity imports from 492 gigawatt per hour during the corresponding period in 2025/2026 to 187 gigawatt per hour in 2026/2027 had been recorded, citing that the significant drop reflected improved reliability and operational readiness of Morupule B Power Station.

Among other critical infrastructure, President Boko addressed issues pertaining to road network infrastructure, which he said government had approved funds to the tune of P772.4 million for maintenance of six targeted sections of the A1 Road; those being Ramatlabama-Lobatse, Lobatse-Boatle, Rasesa-Masama, Dibete-Mahalapye, Palapye-Serule and Serule-Tonota.

“The Francistown-Nata and the Nata-Gweta sections of the A3 road spanning 200 kilometres and 100 kilometres respectively, and the Nata-Pandamatenga section of the A33 spanning 64 kilometres are at various stages of construction,” he said.

Furthermore, he said there were 15 road maintenance projects across the country with average progress of 67 per cent, with the earliest expected to be completed in October this year and the latest in December 2027.

He further said that across the country, nine other road maintenance projects over 300 kilometres of trade routes had been awarded and were at the initial stages of implementation to rehabilitation.

In addition, the President updated the nation on the recently launched TANA metro bus service.

“We have put in place the first building blocks towards a more efficient public transport system by introducing a historic Metro Bus Service for the first time in Botswana. The TANA Metro Bus Programme has introduced in its pilot phase 10 electric buses in Gaborone,” he said.

President Boko said that through innovation and strategic partnerships, the programme aimed to improve urban mobility and enhance public transport services for communities.

“As we roll out this pilot, we will continue to refine its offerings through continued stakeholder engagement,” he explained.

Regarding water infrastructure, he said it too was a critical focus of investment for government.

Highlighting the severity of water supply challenges, he said Molepolole, the largest village in the country, had endured nearly two decades of unreliable water supply.

He said government had thus prioritised that long-standing challenge and that the Molepolole-Thamaga Water Network Project had been selected for financing under the Standard Chartered Bank MIGA-backed facility, paving the way for a lasting solution to water security in the area.

On schools infrastructure, he stated that to fast-track the delivery of public schools’ infrastructure projects, government had established the Education Infrastructure and Management Company (EIMC) in December 2025 to carry out the execution of maintenance works across schools.

“Maintenance projects are currently ongoing at 11 Senior Secondary and 11 Junior Secondary Schools. These projects are targeted for completion by March 31, 2027. Preparations are underway for the commencement of additional maintenance to achieve the projected target of 40 prioritised schools,” he said.

He said government had also established Catalyst Real Estate Limited, a 100 per cent state-owned company designed to manage and optimise government properties with commercial agility. ENDS