Italy handholds Botswana in renewable energy

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The government, through the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism (MENT) has managed to secure over £2 million (P23.5 million) from the Italian government to help improve the renewable energy sector in the country.

Addressing the media this week, deputy permanent secretary (environmental affairs) Thabang Botshoma said following the Cop21 conference last year, Botswana and Italy singed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate on climate change issues. As part of the agreement, Italy sponsored Botswana with £2 million to fund the renewable energy projects. 

“At this point, some projects have already started inclusive of the greening of the Metrological Services and MENT headquarters office. We have managed to secure more funds to finance these other projects as we have not yet touched the £2 million,” he said.  Botswana does not currently have any renewable energy source apart from a 1.3 MW solar plant in Phakalane, Gaborone. 

Editor's Comment
Micro-procurement maze demands urgent reform

Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...

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