- To propel Botswana toward high-income status by 2036
In its endeavor to propel Botswana toward high-income status by 2036, the National Planning Commission (NPC) has devised a sector-based strategy prioritising highly impactful sectors for sustainable economic development facilitation.
The strategy identifies eight priority sectors: Mining, Trade, and Financial Services (Mature sectors), Agriculture, Tourism, Sports and Creative Industry, Transport & Logistics, and Manufacturing (Growth sectors). NPC has placed its trust in these sectors due to their potential for high growth, competitive advantage, job creation, export, and positive spillover effects on the economy.
While Botswana aspires to achieve a high-income economy by 2036, recent growth rates have been low, resulting in high unemployment, inequality, and poverty. NPC attributes these challenges to outdated policies, poor policy implementation, weak innovation, and resistance to reform.
Assistant Commissioner General responsible for Policy and Strategy, David Sefawe, stated that the newly approved National Transformation Strategy (NTS) aims to diagnose the current reality and serve as a strategy that clearly outlines fundamental changes in approach: economic, productivity, and mindset changes. “From our diagnoses, we have established that in order to reach high-income status, we need to achieve GDP growth, reduce our poverty levels and also reduce our inequality levels,” he said.
Furthermore, the NTS serves as a single reference document that provides a framework for developing both sectoral and industry strategies. The document will also guide national planning, policy formulation, programs, and project delivery to achieve Vision 2036 goals.
When elucidating the strategy’s framework to the media, Sefawe revealed that the first phase of the strategy (NTS 1) is themed “Innovating for Economic Growth” and runs from 2023 to 2030. The Strategy lays out a framework for National Development Plan 12 and is intended to act as a catalyst for economic growth, with the private sector taking the lead. The second phase of NTS 2 is expected to run from 2031 to 2036.
Further explaining the strategy’s model, he informed the media that the NTS focuses on a new game-changing approach, the “1+3”, which comprises the One Botswana (1BW) and One Government (1 Gov’t) models.
On February 26th, NPC will embark on a national roadshow to allow face-to-face interactions with various stakeholders to help them understand the role of the NPC and how they can contribute to achieving Vision 2036. “The Roadshow further intends to solicit information from the public on the development of NDP 12 and what they would like to see in terms of developments in their areas,” shared Assistant Commissioner General-Advocacy and Communications, Kushatha Modiakgotla.
