Botswana’s Green Shift Offers Fresh Opportunities for Agri-Entrepreneurs

Botswana’s Green Shift Offers Fresh Opportunities for Agri-Entrepreneurs. The official close of the Green Energy Transition for Sustainable Agriculture (GETSA) project on 13 May signals more than the end of a programme — it marks the emergence of new entrepreneurial opportunities in Botswana’s agricultural sector.

With support from the International Climate Initiative (IKI) through its Small Grants Programme, GETSA invested €850,000 to help 54 smallholder farmers adopt clean energy and climate-smart farming solutions. Led by the National Development Bank (NDB), the initiative enabled entrepreneurs to access 65% grant funding for technologies like solar-powered water pumps, drip irrigation systems, and diesel-to-solar conversions.

The project recorded significant impact:

• 770 tons of CO₂ emissions avoided annually
• 32 diesel pumps replaced with solar systems
• Over 1,600 m³ of water saved per hectare per year
• 45% of projects led by women
• 60% youth employment across supported farms

For agri-preneurs, these numbers point to a growing market for green tech services, solar solutions, and water-efficient systems. As more farms go off-grid and adopt sustainable practices, the demand for innovative tools, installation services, and maintenance support is expected to rise.

GETSA also demonstrated the viability of climate-smart agriculture as a business model, particularly in Botswana’s horticulture, livestock, and poultry sectors. Entrepreneurs who can offer scalable, cost-effective green solutions are likely to find strong backing from institutions like NDB and future climate-focused initiatives.