GABORONE
Botswana has launched the New Botswana City project in Gaborone, a development expected to attract investment, create jobs and support the country’s economic diversification efforts, the government said in a statement issued Friday, June 5.
President Duma Boko described the project as part of a broader national strategy to transform Botswana into a resilient, competitive, and innovation-driven economy.
Boko said Botswana must move beyond traditional economic dependence by embracing a development model built on diversification, digital innovation and inclusivity.
He said sustainable economic growth requires strong foundations, including serviced land, climate-resilient infrastructure, effective institutions and strategic partnerships capable of attracting investment, technology and expertise.
The president said the New Botswana City is designed to create opportunities for citizens, stimulate entrepreneurship, attract international investors and strengthen Botswana’s position as a regional hub for trade and commerce.
Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) Chief Executive Officer Oteng Keabetswe said the development could create between 14,000 and 21,000 jobs during construction. Once operational, it could support between 25,000 and 37,500 direct and indirect jobs.
Keabetswe stated that the benefits would extend beyond construction and contribute to long-term economic value across multiple sectors.
According to the statement, BDC contributed land valued at approximately 198 million pula through its partnership with ALBADDAD Group.
The corporation currently holds a 5% equity stake and is exploring opportunities to increase its participation in the project.
The 126-hectare development will include an international convention and exhibition center, hospitality facilities, commercial developments, retail space and supporting infrastructure.
The government said the master plan has been completed and the environmental assessments have been finalized.
Diversification Imperative
Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship Tiroeaone Ntsima described the project as a strategic investment platform aligned with Vision 2036 and the Economic Transformation Program, saying it demonstrates the potential of public-private collaboration to support industrial growth, attract investment and create opportunities for Batswana.
Botswana, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, has a population of about 2.5 million and is classified as an upper-middle-income country.
Despite decades of economic growth driven largely by diamond mining, poverty and unemployment remain significant challenges.
According to the World Bank, extreme poverty stood at 13.5% in 2023, while unemployment was 27.6%. Botswana’s extractives-driven, public sector-led growth model is reaching its limits in sustaining economic growth and reducing poverty.
