Botswana Launches P130 Million Green Value Chain Programme

Botswana Launches P130 Million Green Value Chain Programme. The Government of Botswana has officially launched the P130 million Green Value Chain Development for Job Creation Programme, a four-year initiative designed to strengthen the country’s green economy, support export-focused SMMEs, and create sustainable employment opportunities nationwide.

Funded by the European Union through an €8 million investment, the programme will run from February 16, 2026 to February 15, 2030. It is led by the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture, with implementation overseen by the International Trade Centre (ITC) through its Gaborone office.

Speaking at the launch, Minister of Environment and Tourism Wynter Mmolotsi described the initiative as a strategic intervention to accelerate economic diversification through sustainable tourism development, horticulture production, and green job creation.

A major focus will be strengthening linkages between Botswana’s ecotourism and horticulture sectors by encouraging tourism establishments to source horticultural products locally. This approach is expected to reduce import dependence, improve market access for local farmers, and enhance authentic tourism experiences.

The programme will also support Botswana’s Ecotourism Certification framework through the Botswana Tourism Organisation, making certification more accessible to SMEs and community-based tourism enterprises. Government says this will improve quality standards, increase competitiveness, and integrate more locally produced goods into tourism supply chains.

Minister Mmolotsi noted that the initiative aligns with Botswana’s National Tourism Strategy and Master Plan, which identify tourism value chain development and product diversification as key pillars for economic transformation. He further emphasized the importance of collaboration between government, industry players, and development partners to ensure measurable outcomes for rural livelihoods, youth and women entrepreneurs, and sustainable economic growth.