The 2025-2026 draft estimates of expenditure shows a proposed increase in the Transitional National Development Plan (TNDP) for the Broadcasting Services’ development budget by P30 million from P446.9million to P476.9. The TNDP, which began in April 2023, was due to end on March 31 this year, but has been extended for a further four months while the new government finalises its NDP 12. This increase is meant to provide for the facilitation of the creative industry, upgrading of transmitters and broadcasting facilities as well as facility management of the Mass Media Complex. With the creative sector having been identified in recent government plans as a key priority area, the budget is expected to enable the national broadcaster to commission creative work from local artists.
The cash injection into the project demonstrates what the Finance Minister, Ndaba Gaolathe, had emphasised in his Budget Speech about the creative industry being a critical sector for economic diversification. Gaolathe also said the creative industry is a driver of economic growth, social preservation and social transformation. He stated that the sector also has the power to generate employment, foster innovation and project Botswana’s distinct identity. “To fully unlock the potential of this industry, we must optimise the entire ecosystem, including exploring the possibility of enacting legislation that enables creatives to monetise the digital space,” said Gaolathe.
