The forward-looking initiative, which aims to drive industrialisation, investment and job creation, received close to 7,000 ideas, although less than 200 were picked. Officials told the inaugural Pula Investment Conference, held alongside the Global Expo Botswana last week, that 186 projects have been selected under the BETP. Ministry of Finance, Senior Policy Advisor, Naledi Madala, revealed that about 60 of the projects are ready for immediate implementation, signalling a significant milestone in the programme’s rollout. She noted that the call for applications received an overwhelming 6,952 submissions, reflecting strong interest from both the private and public sectors and innovative ideas capable of transforming the country’s economic trajectory. Of the final 186 projects, 22 are in manufacturing, 26 in agriculture, 31 in energy, 21 in tourism, 26 in infrastructure, six in financial services, 18 in healthcare, while 27 are from the education sector. The lucky projects were refined through a rigorous Lab Process, where 246 initially passed a diagnostic phase and were evaluated for feasibility, scalability, and potential impact.
The Lab Process ensured that only the most actionable and investment-ready projects move forward, offering a platform for innovation to translate into tangible economic outcomes. The Botswana Investment and Trade Centre, which hosts the annual Global Expo, has curated 14 high-value projects from the BETP Labs for presentation at the Africa Financial Services Investment Conference (AFSIC) in London this October. The event provides an opportunity to attract global investors, strengthen strategic partnerships, and elevate Botswana’s profile on the international stage. Madala emphasised that the BETP will feed directly into the upcoming National Transformation Plan, which will replace the National Development Plan as the country’s strategic roadmap. Implemented in partnership with PEMANDU Associates, a global advisory firm known for results-driven economic transformation, the programme represents a shift from planning to execution, with a focus on measurable outcomes such as job creation, competitiveness, export-led growth, and national pride.
