Botswana’s ongoing power outages have reached crisis levels, dealing a severe blow to small businesses that rely on consistent electricity to operate.
For many entrepreneurs, these disruptions are more than just an inconvenience—they threaten the very survival of their businesses.
The owner of Spicy Slavory, a restaurant in African Mall, shared her struggles with the Business Weekly & Review, highlighting the impact of frequent power cuts. One of her main concerns is being forced to close early, prioritising the safety of both customers and staff. With outages scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., she has no choice but to shut down operations prematurely, as the lack of electricity creates an unsafe environment. Without proper lighting and essential systems, it becomes difficult for staff to navigate the premises and serve customers effectively.
Closing early, however, comes at a steep cost. The restaurant loses valuable business hours and revenue, putting further strain on its operations. The financial impact has been significant, the owner told the Business Weekly & Review.
Beyond early closures, power outages have created additional challenges, particularly in payment processing. When electricity goes out mid-transaction, customers are forced to switch to alternative payment methods such as cash, Pay to Cell, or Wallet. However, many customers accustomed to digital payments find this frustrating, as they must log into their accounts unexpectedly. Some may not carry cash, leaving them without a convenient way to pay. The uncertainty surrounding transactions often leads to delays or even lost sales.
The crisis extends beyond restaurants. Fashion tailors and fabric shop owners are also struggling to maintain operations. A fabric shop owner in African Mall explained that without proper lighting, customers have difficulty selecting fabrics, often choosing the wrong colors or designs. This leads to frustration and disappointment when they realize their mistake. Power cuts also force these businesses to close early, resulting in lost revenue and customer dissatisfaction.
For Spicy Slavory, which also offers catering and delivery services, the power outages have disrupted food quality and order fulfillment. A key concern is keeping food warm during transportation. The restaurant has been forced to adapt by cooking smaller portions at a time to minimize delays and reduce the risk of cold food being delivered.
Flower shops, too, are facing an existential threat. A florist in African Mall described the challenge of keeping flowers fresh without reliable refrigeration. Flowers are highly perishable and require controlled temperatures to maintain their quality. Without power, refrigeration units shut down, accelerating the deterioration of stock and leading to disappointed customers.
Botswana’s power crisis has exposed the vulnerability of small businesses, which form the backbone of the country’s economy. As the government scrambles for solutions, it must not overlook the struggles of entrepreneurs trying to stay afloat, pay employees, and retain customer trust.
If left unchecked, this crisis could deal a devastating blow to small businesses. Immediate intervention is needed—whether through emergency relief funds, tax breaks, or other forms of assistance. Without urgent action, the future of Botswana’s small businesses hangs in the balance.
