Botswana, Namibia to sign 5GW solar power deal :: Mmegi Online

Botswana and Namibia are preparing to sign a deal with a US energy firm which will see the development of up to 5,000 megawatts of solar power across installations in both countries, BusinessWeek has learnt.

Power Africa, a US-government entity aimed at boosting electricity investment in Africa, is partnering with the two governments for the project which will target exports into the region. Power Africa’s mandate includes helping to close financial deals in electricity investment, with 141 agreements finalised worth US$22 billion since its launch in 2013.

The Botswana-Namibia deal, mentioned as a priority in the Economic Recovery and Transformation Plan, would be one of the world’s largest solar projects, ranking amongst the top 20. Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security permanent secretary, Mmetla Masire told BusinessWeek that the three partners had been due to sign a Memorandum of Intent earlier this year, before the onset of COVID-19 set back negotiations.

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