'Botswana’s solar wealth still untapped'
Lucy Kgweetsi | Wednesday September 10, 2025 13:55
This was the central theme at the Absa Green Energy Roundtable last Thursday, where experts, policymakers and financiers reflected on the gap between potential and actual capacity.
Speaking at the forum, Absa Bank Botswana Managing Director, Keabetswe Pheko-Moshagane, said the country is well-positioned to lead in renewable energy, but investment and implementation have not kept pace.
“Of this vast solar potential, the actual capacity we have harnessed remains limited,” she noted.
Botswana receives more than 3,200 hours of sunshine each year, with an estimated 1.3 billion gigawatt hours of solar energy falling across its landmass annually, according to studies referenced during the roundtable.
Despite this abundance, generation remains dominated by traditional fossil-fuel sources, leaving questions about how to unlock opportunities in renewable power.
Pheko-Moshagane described the discussions as “timely and essential,” highlighting that energy diversification is not only an environmental concern but also an economic one.
“Persistent challenges in electricity supply, coupled with the need to reduce reliance on coal-fired power, make renewable energy adoption urgent,” she added.
The forum also acknowledged government’s recognition of renewable energy as a priority sector under the Botswana Economic Transformation Plan.
Pheko-Moshagane commended these efforts, but stressed the importance of aligning financing models with national objectives.
“As a bank, we are fully supportive of this agenda and pledge our continued partnership by working closely with government, the private sector, and development partners to deliver bankable projects, build capacity, and create an enabling ecosystem for renewable energy growth,” she said.
During discussions, Independent Power Producers (IPPs) were cited as important players in this transition, with financial institutions expected to work alongside them to accelerate development.
Pheko-Moshagane reaffirmed Absa’s willingness to engage with such stakeholders, saying their role in the energy mix remains “imperative.”
Beyond large-scale projects, the roundtable also discussed how households can contribute to renewable uptake. She said creating opportunities at community level is equally important for long-term resilience.
“By embracing renewable solutions, each of us has the potential to demonstrate the benefits of solar energy in our own homes, setting an example that can inspire neighbours and communities, and ultimately create a ripple effect,” Pheko-Moshagane added.
A call for stronger collaboration amongst government, financiers, private sector actors and households is needed to move Botswana closer to energy sufficiency. “The journey to a greener, more sustainable Botswana requires collective effort,” she said.