- Tsaone Segaetsho
The Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) this week launched a P5 billion investment vehicle aimed at forging strategic partnerships to revitalise the country’s ailing healthcare sector.
The announcement follows President Duma Boko’s declaration of a State of Public Health Emergency earlier this week and the subsequent establishment of the Health First Botswana Partnership. Central to this initiative is the Utility Healthcare Botswana Partnership Fund I, a P5 billion fund designed to strengthen the delivery of healthcare services, while attracting both foreign and domestic investors.
In order to facilitate the fund’s creation, President Boko temporarily suspended Clause 34, Sub-Clause 3A and B of the Retirement Fund Act 2022. Through BDC, government will make an anchor investment of P100 million to catalyse the initiative.
According to the Corporation, the P100 million represents 2 per cent of the targeted fund size, with a first closing of P2.5 billion anticipated by 30 September 2025.
BDC Interim Managing Director, Oteng Keabetswe, said the initiative comes at a crucial moment, as liquidity constraints and supply chain disruptions have hampered government’s ability to allocate and disburse critical healthcare funding. He added that the fund opens the door for private capital to participate alongside the State.
“This fund offers a cost-effective, sustainable procurement solution for Government, enabling the direct purchase of supplies from international manufacturers. It furthermore provides a compelling opportunity for both national and global institutional investors to co-invest with Botswana Government at attractive risk-adjusted rates. By participating with us, investors will benefit from the strong credit underpin of Botswana, currently the highest-rated sovereign in Africa, while contributing to the delivery of life-saving healthcare solutions,” Keabetswe told The Executive Botswana.
Government spokesperson, Emang Mutapati, confirmed in an official communication that the president’s declaration forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen national health infrastructure and roll out universal healthcare reforms. The programme will be overseen by Dr Stephen Modise, who will focus on practical implementation to ensure its success.
“This initiative marks a significant milestone in our journey towards achieving universal healthcare for all Batswana. We are committed to ensuring that our healthcare system is robust, efficient, and effective in addressing the needs of our citizens,” Boko said on Tuesday.
