Mmegi

A deep dive into gov’t proposed True North

The True North will be anchored on mineral extraction and beneficiation, and value addition in the sector, FILE PIC
The True North will be anchored on mineral extraction and beneficiation, and value addition in the sector, FILE PIC

As the legislators convene a special session of Parliament to deliberate on the draft National Development Plan 12 (NDP 12), one thing that keeps cropping up is the government’s development direction, referred to as the “True North.” Mmegi staffer SPIRA TLHANKANE looks at this vision, which has since identified nine priority sectors

“In July 2025, a strategic Cabinet workshop on Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP) reached a consensus on the national development direction, referred to as the ‘True North’,” Minister for State President Moeti Mohwasa revealed this week.

The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) government’s True North is defined as: “A high-income Botswana that is digitally enabled, export-driven, and economically diversified where every citizen is employed, empowered, and fulfilled.” With the True North vision, the government envisages transforming the nation into a high-income, digitally enabled, export-driven, people-centric, and economically diversified country by 2036.

Editor's Comment
Consult, get buy-ins first for 6 to 6 policy, Hon Minister

While the minister is of the view that the proposal would have significant positive economic impact, the entertainment industry players believe otherwise. The issue has over the weeks become a hot potato. But what is of essence right now is that the country needs liberal ideas to move in the right direction While opening up the economy may sound quite interesting to the ear, rolling out extended trading hours through pilot programmes without...

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