In efforts to build a private sector led economy, Botswana has unveiled an ambitious pipeline of infrastructure and industrial projects, a development push officials say will not only transform the economy but also create thousands of jobs and unlock new sources of growth.
Parliament approved major investments focus in railways, highways, water transfer schemes, energy upgrades, aviation infrastructure, and health facilities.
Government planners argue the projects are essential if Botswana is to diversify away from its reliance on diamonds and position itself as a competitive regional hub under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“These projects are about preparing Botswana for the next stage of growth — one that is broader, more resilient, and more inclusive,” a senior official involved in the planning told the Business Weekly & Review.
“We are deliberately targeting infrastructure that opens trade corridors, secures water, supports agro-industrial development, and builds new capacities in health and energy.”
The projects are particularly significant as, unlike previous approaches where the government simply allocated funds to address challenges, the Botswana Economic Transformation Plan (BETP) is driving tangible execution. The plan achieves this by engaging the private sector, which brings greater efficiency, discipline, and expertise in implementation and risk management.
“It is encouraging that these projects have been generated through a process that had a central role for the private sector,” economist Dr Keith Jefferis said in his quarterly report.
More than 60 percent of the projects are expected to be led by the private sector, with the government expecting this approach to crowd additional funding into the economy from private investors.
Rails to growth
At the heart of the plan is the expansion of Botswana’s rail network, long seen as a bottleneck in efforts to move bulk commodities across Southern Africa. The North-South Rail Corridor is being reimagined as a gateway to regional trade, with two flagship projects — the Mosetse-Kazungula-Livingstone line and the Mmamabula-Lephalale connection — providing new routes to Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Africa.
Together, the projects are valued at P26.7 billion and expected to create more than 2,500 jobs during construction. Beyond employment, their economic impact could be transformative. Botswana holds an estimated 200 billion tonnes of coal reserves, but exports have been constrained by limited rail capacity. The new lines are designed to unlock those reserves while also moving copper, manganese, and agricultural produce.
Planners say the corridor will also position Botswana as a land-linked transit country at the center of Southern African trade. “For us, rail is not only about coal,” one transport economist explained. “It’s about building the arteries that connect us to global markets.”
Water security and Agro-industrial expansion
Few sectors expose Botswana’s vulnerabilities more than water. To tackle chronic shortages, the Chobe Zambezi Water Transfer Scheme will divert 170 million cubic meters annually from Kazungula to Pandamatenga. With a price tag of about P12 billion, the project is expected to support large-scale agriculture in the Pandamatengaplains and beyond, a region earmarked as an Agricultural Special Economic Zone.
Officials estimate nearly 500 jobs will be created directly, but the broader impact will come through enhanced food production and agro-industrial processing. The scheme is seen as vital to long-term food security, reducing the country’s import bill while creating opportunities for agribusiness exports.
Roads and connectivity
On the roads front, the A1 Dualling Project will upgrade Botswana’s busiest highway into a dual carriageway, running the length of the country from Ramokgwebana in the north to Ramatlabama in the south. Valued at between P3 billion and P6 billion, the three-year project will employ 600 people, cut travel times by up to 20 percent, and reduce accidents by an estimated quarter.
The A1 is the backbone of domestic and regional road transport, linking the country’s major towns and facilitating cross-border trade with South Africa and Zimbabwe. Transport analysts say the upgrade will lower logistics costs for businesses while improving road safety on a stretch notorious for accidents.
Industry and Resources
Industrial development is another pillar of the pipeline. The K.Hill Manganese Project near Kanye is one of the standout ventures, responding to surging global demand for battery-grade manganese used in electric vehicle production.
With an estimated cost of P3.8 billion, the project will create 550 jobs and produce around 80,000 tonnesannually. Revenues are expected to reach P1 billion in the first year of production and could triple within a decade as electric mobility accelerates worldwide.
Officials view K.Hill as emblematic of a new wave of resource projects focused on value addition rather than raw exports.
“We are targeting minerals of the future,” a Ministry of Minerals source said. “Manganese positions us in the green energy transition.”
Aviation and logistics
Aviation infrastructure is also getting attention. Maun Airport, the gateway to the Okavango Delta, is set for a major upgrade into a wide-body international hub capable of handling aircraft such as the Boeing 787. The four-year project, valued at P2.5 billion, will create 650 jobs and add P1.5 billion to GDP, while boosting tourism and positioning Maun as a logistics hub.
In Gaborone, Air Botswana is launching a dedicated cargo division to reduce freight costs and expand volumes to nearly 50,000 tonnes by 2036. The airline’s P2.2 billion plan is expected to contribute P11 billion to GDP over time while creating dozens of specialized jobs. Officials say the cargo strategy aligns with AfCFTAopportunities and will enhance the country’s role in regional supply chains.
Complementing this is a P200 million cargo facility at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, expected to create 400 jobs and contribute P41 million annually to GDP.
Health and human capital
On the social front, the pipeline includes a series of health projects designed to reduce reliance on overseas medical referrals. The Centre for Nuclear Medicine & Theranostics at Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital, a P27 million investment, will provide advanced cancer diagnostics and treatment.
A new specialized general hospital, budgeted at P560 million, will add 130 beds, treat 15,000 patients a year, and create 400 jobs. Officials argue that such facilities not only improve health outcomes but also keep millions of pula circulating within the domestic economy.
Energy and utilities
Energy and water utilities round out the package. The Glen Valley Wastewater Treatment and Reuse project, valued at P1.5 billion, will treat 25 million liters daily for the Gaborone area, creating 200 jobs and reducing pressure on scarce water resources.
Botswana Power Corporation is also moving forward with comprehensive grid upgrades to improve reliability and eventually enable electricity exports. The investments are seen as critical for powering new industrial and commercial growth while reducing costly imports from South Africa.
Rail and rolling stock
Botswana Railways is separately investing in a P700 million rolling stock maintenance center in Mahalapye, designed to improve service reliability, cut derailments, and support expanded freight operations. A complementary P600 million project will rehabilitate 641 kilometers of mainline track. Both are expected to enhance efficiency and create hundreds of jobs across the railway sector.
A Broader Economic Vision
As Botswana moves forward, the success of these projects will hinge not only on finance but also on execution — ensuring that cost overruns, delays, and governance risks do not derail the vision.
