Bonno Target 3000 Kgale project collapses
Sharon Mathala | Monday October 20, 2025 06:00
The Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) has confirmed that its much-touted partnership for the first phase of the programme Ongos Valley has collapsed, throwing into question the fate of one of the new administration’s biggest promises.
In a written response to Mmegi dated October 14, BHC admitted that its agreement with an investor under the Bonno initiative has since lapsed, effectively stalling progress on the development. The Corporation said it had “engaged an investor to explore a potential partnership for the development of a strategic project at Kgale View,” but later “found it prudent not to proceed with the proposed partnership.”
The response to Mmegi from the BHC communications department attempts to temper the fallout with ingenuity by insisting that the Corporation remains “fully committed to delivering on its promise to the nation.”
However, the failure marks a stunning reversal for a project that was announced as a cornerstone of President Boko’s social transformation agenda.
When President Boko launched the Bonno Target 3000 Initiative in April this year, the atmosphere was jubilant for the new Government. It was billed as the first phase of an ambitious national housing mission to construct 100,000 homes across 61 constituencies within three years and create 100,000 jobs.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Boko told the nation that the Bonno programme will democratise wealth and finally deliver the dignity of home ownership to thousands. “Housing is not a luxury; it is a right. We must move from vision to reality, where the majority of Batswana live in decent housing,” he stated.
The Kgale View Housing Development, spearheaded by BHC in partnership with Namibian developers Ongos Valley Group, was to deliver 3,000 housing units in its first phase, complete with paved roads, water, sanitation, green spaces, schools, clinics, and recreation facilities. The President then promised that more than 30,000 jobs, including 4,000 living-wage positions for youth and local contractors, would be created through the project. It was, by all accounts, a bold beginning to the new government’s term.
The optimism has now faded.
As confirmed by BHC when quizzed by Mmegi, the partnership was completed in August 2025, but the Corporation found it prudent not to proceed with the project.
Sources allege that the Namibian partner, Ongos Valley, had already initiated preparatory designs and marketing, expecting to break ground before the year’s end. Now, in October, construction at the Kgale View site had not begun.
The agreement expired without renewal, and reports surfaced of growing tension between the parties over financing and compliance requirements. BHC denies missteps. The corporation says the collapse has caused delays but insists that it is currently identifying and assessing new investors to ensure immediate and successful commencement.
“The Corporation is currently in the process of identifying and assessing investors to ensure immediate and successful commencement and delivery of the project. This affirms that, while the preliminary engagements may have resulted in some delays, BHC remains committed to delivering the project within a reasonable timeframe in line with the objectives of the Bonno National Housing Programme,” BHC responded.
The failure of Bonno’s pilot project has left the government scrambling to defend what was meant to be its signature socio-economic initiative. The programme was unveiled as a blueprint for inclusive growth, intended to address Botswana’s chronic housing deficit and high youth unemployment.
Pundits say the setback may erode confidence in Botswana’s broader investment climate as well as in the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). Compounding the confusion are reports that Ongos Valley is considering legal action against BHC for breach of contract, though BHC denies any knowledge of such proceedings.
“BHC further confirms that it is not aware of any impending litigation related to this matter,” the Corporation said. The Kgale View project was meant to set the pace for the entire Bonno programme, the pilot that would prove the government’s capacity to deliver at scale. Meanwhile, thousands of young Batswana who anticipated employment through the scheme are left waiting.
Despite mounting criticism, BHC insists the Bonno programme remains on course. In its response, the Corporation said the broader initiative continues to promote inclusivity, affordability, and sustainability in housing delivery. For President Boko, who took office amid high public expectations, the unraveling of the Bonno pilot could prove politically costly. His administration had positioned the initiative as the major step in restoring human dignity through housing as a human rights-led government, but also creating the much-needed jobs. Efforts to reach Ongos Valley were futile at the time of going to press.