“We Will Fix It”: Duma Boko’s Honest Take on Botswana’s Struggles and Solutions

UDC Government's First Year Progress

• 💡 The UDC government has delivered on several promises, including a 30% reduction in water tariffs and a 50% amnesty on outstanding bills.
• 📈 Old age pensions increased by 68% from 830 to 1,400 pula, and TVET student allowances saw a 533% increase from 300 to 1,900 pula.
• ✅ Significant steps were made towards a constitutional review, with a bill gazetted to establish a Constitutional Court, preceding a nationwide referendum.
• 💰 A Sovereign Wealth Fund has commenced operations, and an agreement was reached with public sector unions for a 4,000 pula living wage by July 2025.
• 🤝 The government procured over 500 million pula in medicines during a critical shortage and has upheld freedom of speech and expression.

Economic Transformation and Diversification

• 🎯 Botswana's economy faces strain due to global market shifts and reliance on diamonds, necessitating a steady path of hard work and tangible progress.
• 📈 The 12th National Development Plan (NDP12) emphasizes inclusive growth and a private sector-led economy, aiming for a high-income Botswana by 2036.
• 🔑 The Botswana Economic Transformation Program (BETP) focuses on achieving high-income status, generating large-scale quality jobs, and diversifying into new industries and value chains.
• 🌱 Key priorities include economic diversification, accountable governance, human capital investment, and sustainable innovation to uplift every Motswana.

Key Sectoral Initiatives: Agriculture & Mining

• 🌾 Agriculture is targeted to increase its GDP contribution from 2% to 6%, aiming to boost food production to 5 million tons by 2030 through various programs.
• 🐄 Initiatives include improving beef sector productivity, rangeland restoration, and increasing local milk production from 18% to over 60% by next year.
• 🌿 Botswana is shifting towards climate-resilient farming and exploring the cultivation of industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis, with pilot programs starting in December 2025.
• 💎 In mining, the Okavango Diamond Company (ODC) will access an increased portion of Debswana diamonds (up to 50%), and the government is partnering to promote natural diamonds globally.
• 🏭 A 1.4 billion pula investment is planned for a critical mining chemicals plant, and the sector is diversifying into strategic minerals like uranium, manganese, and iron ore.

Energy Security and Renewable Goals

• ⚡ To address a 35% energy deficit, Botswana is developing 900 MW of solar PV and 600 MW of thermal power to ensure vibrant security of supply and capacity for export.
• 🛠️ Remediation of the Morupule B 600 MW plant is progressing, with three units already running and the fourth expected by December 2025.
• 🌍 The country is positioning itself to partake in the global market for renewable energy certificates, having formally applied to the ITRA Foundation.
• ⛽ Efforts are underway to increase petroleum product storage from 15 days to 90 days of cover through depot expansions in Francistown and Hansi.

Governance, Social Welfare & Investment

• 💼 Government is undertaking reforms to unlock land, streamline legal frameworks, and fast-track infrastructure to meet investor expectations.
• 💳 A National Retail Payment Switch (NRPS) is being established to streamline transactions, reduce leakages, and increase financial inclusion within the local economy.
• 🏗️ Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are being developed as engines of inclusive growth, attracting projects like the Radisson Hotel and a 100 MW solar power station.
• 🤝 The Botswana Development Corporation is driving strategic investments across high-impact sectors, fostering smart partnerships to stimulate employment and diversify the economy.