From Thousands of Proposals to 186 Priorities: Inside Botswana’s Economic Project Selection Drive

From Thousands of Proposals to 186 Priorities: Inside Botswana’s Economic Project Selection Drive. Botswana’s Economic Transformation Programme (BETP) has outlined how 6,925 project proposals were narrowed down to 186 priority initiatives, highlighting a structured approach aimed at strengthening implementation and accountability.

Addressing delegates at the Budget Pitso in Gaborone, Naledi Madala, Senior Policy Advisor at the Ministry of Finance, said the large number of submissions demonstrated widespread interest in contributing to Botswana’s economic reform agenda. Proposals were drawn from across government, with attention also given to projects that had experienced delays in the past.

Initial analysis of the submissions showed strong representation from the agriculture sector, while tourism also recorded a significant number of ideas. According to Madala, these patterns supported the focus on sectors seen as having potential to support broader participation in economic activity and reduce reliance on mining.

BETP applied a two-stage filtering process to manage the volume of proposals. During the first stage, projects were assessed based on their potential contribution to economic growth, investment value and job creation. Sponsors were required to outline expected investment levels and demonstrate elements such as inclusivity, innovation and long-term sustainability.

Following this screening, 246 projects progressed to sector-focused “labs” for further review. In these sessions, public and private sector participants worked together to test assumptions, refine proposals and identify possible implementation challenges.

After this phase, 186 projects were identified as ready for execution. A key requirement was the presence of a clear and practical implementation pathway. Some proposals were set aside after it was determined that additional feasibility work was needed.

Madala said the programme allows for ongoing monitoring and adjustments during implementation to help keep projects on track.