- Tsaone Segaetsho
Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship Tiroeaone Ntsima has informed Parliament that the Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) is expected to deploy approximately P1.74 billion in capital over the next 12 months, a move projected to generate about 3 225 jobs across key sectors of the economy.
Responding to a parliamentary question on the latest BDC investment deals, Ntsima said the planned capital deployment forms part of the government’s broader strategy to expand domestic manufacturing capacity and reduce reliance on imports.
According to the Minister, five manufacturing projects are expected to receive investment totalling nearly P290 million, with the initiatives projected to create approximately 575 jobs.
Ntsima further indicated that about P150 million is earmarked for investment in the infrastructure sector over the same period. The projects are expected to generate around 1 540 jobs while strengthening infrastructure delivery capacity and stimulating growth in construction, property development and hospitality.
Providing further detail on the anticipated impact of the P1.74 billion investment pipeline, Ntsima said part of the funding will be directed towards strengthening liquidity within the financial services sector and expanding access to credit for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), households and productive enterprises.
The financial services sector is expected to receive investment of roughly P250 million, which is projected to create about 403 jobs.
The Minister also emphasised the importance of increasing citizen participation in the country’s economic development through equity ownership, supplier integration and downstream enterprise development.
In the property and real estate sector, two projects valued at approximately P700 million are expected to generate more than 200 jobs. Ntsima noted that the projects will feature full citizen participation.
“Collectively, these investments are expected to accelerate industrialisation, support large-scale job creation, stimulate private sector competitiveness and reinforce Botswana’s economic diversification objectives through sustained capital deployment within the domestic economy,” Ntsima said.
