Botswana’s BETP Sets Ambitious Path for Economic Transformation and Job Creation

Botswana’s BETP Sets Ambitious Path for Economic Transformation and Job Creation. Botswana’s Vice President and Minister of Finance, Ndaba Gaolathe, has unveiled the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP) — a comprehensive plan set to mobilise BWP 514 billion in investments and create more than 512,000 jobs over the next decade.

The BETP, introduced in Parliament following debates on the draft National Development Plan 12 (NDP 12), forms a central pillar of the government’s long-term strategy to elevate Botswana to high-income status by 2036. According to Gaolathe, the programme is designed to address structural challenges such as youth unemployment, income inequality, and economic dependence on limited sectors.

At the heart of the BETP are six key economic sectors: Tourism, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Financial Services and Digitalisation, Energy and Mining, and Infrastructure. The programme also highlights three social priorities — Healthcare, Education, and Social Protection — all aimed at ensuring inclusive growth.

“The Botswana Economic Transformation Programme will reshape the foundation of our economy,” Gaolathe told Parliament. He explained that BETP will focus on investment-ready projects, aligning national ambition with clear priorities and measurable impact.

Among the flagship projects identified under the programme are Botswana’s National Chilli Export Value Chain, Large-Scale Hemp Production, Green Battery Metals Refinery, and Clean Mobility Vehicle Assembly. These projects are expected to enhance export capacity, create sustainable jobs, and position Botswana as a regional hub for advanced manufacturing and innovation.

Under BETP’s implementation structure, the Ministry of Finance will oversee coordination through a dedicated Secretariat, while a Steering Committee will ensure strategic oversight and accountability.