After eight years of closure, the University of Botswana (UB) Hotel and Conference Centre is set for a major facelift
. Last week, the University of Botswana signed a lease agreement with Botswana and South Africa–based investment firm, Sky Clouds Investment, to operate the long-dormant facility. The hotel, which has been closed for over eight years, is expected to re-enter the market under a new operational model aimed at unlocking its commercial potential. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Sky Clouds Investment Managing Director, Bruce Nkgakile, said the development signals a strategic effort to revitalise an underutilised asset while strengthening Gaborone’s conferencing and hospitality capacity.
ASH Hospitality will manage and operate the property, bringing industry expertise and operational experience. Once fully operational, the hotel and conference centre is expected to support academic, corporate and government events, while contributing to job creation and broader economic activity. “Execution, refurbishment standards and market positioning will be key to determining the long-term commercial success of the revived facility,” Nkgakile said. The facility will also serve as a structured training platform for UB hospitality and tourism students.
Deputy Vice Chancellor Dawid Katze said operating under the Best Western brand will expose students to international hospitality systems, quality standards, operational protocols and service excellence benchmarks. “This will strengthen their competitiveness in both local and global markets,” Katze said.
