BDC Divests from Rhodes, Redirects P400 Million to Fuel Botswana’s Economic Growth

BDC Divests from Rhodes, Redirects P400 Million to Fuel Botswana’s Economic Growth. The Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) has announced its exit from Rhodes Food Group, a move that has unlocked P400 million to be reinvested into Botswana’s economy. The decision marks a significant step in BDC’s strategy to drive domestic transformation through high-impact projects.

Speaking at a high-level briefing, BDC Caretaker Managing Director Oteng Keabetswe explained that the divestment follows the successful completion of the corporation’s investment objectives in Rhodes, which began in March 2021. “With the investment having met its intended objectives, we are now divesting and repatriating the capital to channel it towards high-impact projects within Botswana,” he said.

This approach forms part of BDC’s capital recycling strategy, which focuses on optimizing its investment portfolio while ensuring resources are directed to initiatives that promote inclusive and sustainable growth. The P400 million released through this transaction will be deployed into areas with potential to accelerate industrial capacity, create jobs, and stimulate innovation across multiple sectors of the economy.

President Advocate Duma Boko, who officiated the announcement, commended BDC’s bold step. He emphasized that mobilizing resources for national development is essential during times of shifting economic realities. “BDC’s decision reflects the kind of bold action we need to accelerate our economic transformation,” he said.

For Botswana’s entrepreneurs and businesses, this development presents opportunities to engage with BDC’s upcoming initiatives, which are expected to focus on scalable, transformative ventures. With a renewed emphasis on local impact, BDC’s capital injection could open doors for partnerships in sectors such as manufacturing, agribusiness, technology, and services that contribute directly to national growth.