BR Properties plans Mahalapye mall project
Lewanika Timothy | Wednesday March 18, 2026 06:00
The proposed project, presented during a community consultative meeting at the village, will comprise a three-storey commercial complex incorporating retail outlets, a private clinic and a filling station.
Developers indicated that the investment will also include upgrades to surrounding road infrastructure, including redesigned intersections intended to improve traffic flow and road safety around the development site.
Construction is expected to commence roughly four months after road access approvals are granted by the Department of Roads.
The construction phase is projected to run for between 18 and 24 months and is expected to create about 200 temporary jobs, while approximately 250 permanent positions could be generated once the complex becomes operational.
The Mahalapye project forms part of a broader strategy by BR Properties to unlock value from land assets owned by Botswana Railways along key transport corridors.
Over the years, the rail utility has accumulated significant commercial property holdings linked to rail infrastructure across the country.
These assets have increasingly been viewed as an alternative revenue stream as the rail operator continues to grapple with declining freight volumes and ageing infrastructure.
In recent years, BR Properties has undertaken a number of property developments in urban centres, including commercial and retail facilities aimed at monetising land located near railway stations and transport nodes.
However, the rail operator has also moved to rationalise parts of its property portfolio.
Amongst the most notable transactions was the disposal of the prominent Railpark Mall in Gaborone, which was sold to private investors as part of efforts to streamline assets and unlock capital for other investment priorities.
The divestment reflected a broader shift by Botswana Railways to focus on projects that align more closely with transport infrastructure and corridor-based development strategies.
Officials revealed that the Mahalapye project is expected to strengthen commercial activity in the central district town while improving the availability of modern retail and service infrastructure.
The investment also aligns with growing interest in developing economic activity along Botswana’s transport corridors, particularly towns located along the national railway line linking Lobatse, Gaborone, Mahalapye, Palapye and Francistown.