Major solar proposal could diversify economy, reduce costs for Botswana

A proposed five gigawatt (GW) solar power programme to be developed jointly by Botswana and Namibia would become a landmark power deal in Africa and help diversify their economies.

Both nations currently import expensive power from South Africa, but full implementation of the proposal would make Botswana and Namibia new energy leaders in Africa.

Ambitious renewable energy export proposals are starting to become commonplace. Egypt is now seeking to export its excess domestic renewable energy to African neighbours and Europe. This follows an Egyptian move earlier this year to cancel a proposed China-backed coal-fired power plant on overcapacity concerns and a preference for cheaper renewables.

Editor's Comment
Human rights are sacred

It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...

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