- Tsaone Segaetsho
President Duma Boko on Monday inaugurated the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP) Labs in Gaborone, describing the launch as the spark for a paradigm shift in the execution of government development plans, programmes and projects.
He framed the initiative as a fundamental departure from convention, designed to deliver more impactful and measurable results.
Announcing the commencement of the Labs, President Boko underscored that they represent a decisive move from strategy to implementation, signalling the end of “business as usual” in Botswana’s development trajectory.
He said the BETP is anchored in a bold vision, dubbed the True North, to create a high-income, digitally enabled, export-driven, people-centric, and economically diversified Botswana in which every citizen enjoys equal opportunity and empowerment.
According to government, Cabinet has identified nine priority sectors, six economic and three social, that will form the core focus of the Labs. The economic sectors are agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, financial services and digitalisation, tourism, and energy, water and mining. The social sectors encompass education, healthcare, and social protection.
“These sectors were chosen strategically to unlock inclusive growth, create jobs, and improve the welfare of all citizens,” President Boko said.
Over the next four weeks, the Labs will serve as “engine rooms” for transformation. “Expert-led, hands-on sessions will refine project concepts, produce bankable implementation roadmaps, set clear KPIs, and dismantle barriers to progress,” he explained.
Government has acknowledged that persistent challenges, including regulatory bottlenecks, land access constraints, licensing delays, skills shortages, and infrastructure gaps, will be addressed decisively.
“This is not theoretical work; it is surgical, hands-on, and delivery-focused,” President Boko stressed.
Botswana has drawn inspiration from Malaysia’s successful Big Fast Results methodology, developed by renowned international consultancy PEMANDU. While Rwanda has also adopted the model, President Boko noted that Botswana will adapt and shape its own transformation agenda, rooted in local values and national strengths.
He called for close collaboration across ministries, the private sector, civil society, and youth innovators, warning that the nation must be prepared to seize opportunities in an increasingly dynamic and competitive global environment.
