This initiative, funded by the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) Disaster Recovery Management (DRM) Fund, is part of a broader strategy to enhance operational resilience, environmental stewardship, and uninterrupted service delivery in remote and underserved areas. Five rural post offices, which include Sedibeng, Mabule, Seronga, Bokspits, and Tsabong, have been equipped with solar power, chosen for their strategic locations and frequent grid instability. The project also includes satellite communication stations to improve disaster response. The P1.1 million UPU sponsorship supports BotswanaPost’s alignment with national and global sustainability goals, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Vision 2036, and Botswana’s Climate Change Policy. Speaking at the event, BotswanaPost Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer, Tebogo Lebotse Sebego, explained that the UPU, a UN agency, partnered with BotswanaPost and the Ministry of Communication and Innovation to enhance postal infrastructure, improve service delivery, and align with international standards. She described the solar installation as a critical investment to ensure business continuity and service reliability, especially in Phitshane-Molopo, an area prone to power outages and network disruptions. Furthermore, BotswanaPost also supports a broad customer base, including the elderly, vulnerable, and underserved, and supports various social programs, such as Old Age Pension and Ipelegeng wages."Sedibeng Post Office serves as a vital hub for multiple villages, providing essential services such as mail, courier, mobile money, vehicle license renewals, insurance payments, and government social service disbursements", Sebego explained.
The DRM Solar Project, backed by a P1.1 million UPU sponsorship, includes five solar-powered post offices and five satellite communication stations, strengthening postal operations during emergencies in remote areas. Sebego explained that the five solar-powered sites, Sedibeng, Mabule, Bokspits, Tsabong, and Seronga, were chosen for their geographic spread and vulnerability to grid outages, resulting in improved efficiency, reduced emissions, and fewer service interruptions."The project was implemented through a Cooperation Agreement with the UPU and in collaboration with UNDP Botswana, ensuring international standards and sustainability", she said. In addition, the acting minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Edwin Dikoloti, delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks celebrating the launch of the solar-powered facility as a significant step toward sustainable development and climate resilience in Botswana. He expressed deep gratitude to BotswanaPost for their leadership as well as to the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and UNDP for their financial and technical support, and acknowledged the vital roles of government ministries and local leaders in enabling the project. Dikoloti emphasized that the initiative not only modernizes infrastructure in remote communities but also aligns with national goals for environmental sustainability and reliable public services.
