The recently launched Capricorn Road Project by Jindal Africa is poised to become a game-changer for local employment and infrastructure development in Botswana. With an initial projection of 600 job opportunities for local residents, the project is expected to significantly boost the livelihoods of communities along its route.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Member of Parliament for Mahalapye East, Augustine Nyatanga, expressed optimism about the project’s economic impact. He revealed that the number of jobs created is expected to double by the end of 2025, highlighting the project’s long-term potential for job creation.
“The Capricorn Road Project is more than just a road—it’s a gateway to opportunity,” said Nyatanga. “By 2025, we expect to see over 1,200 Batswana employed through this initiative alone, and that figure will grow even further once the Mmamabula project, where this road leads, reaches full scale.”
The Capricorn Road will connect strategic locations within the Central District, serving as a vital link to the Mmamabula project site, a major energy and mining development also led by Jindal Africa. The infrastructure is set to play a crucial role in supporting the movement of people, goods, and services, thus accelerating economic activity in the region.
In addition to job creation, the project is expected to stimulate local businesses, improve transportation efficiency, and lay the foundation for broader industrial development. Local construction workers, suppliers, and service providers are among the groups expected to benefit directly from the project.
Nyatanga emphasized that such developments are key to reducing unemployment and uplifting rural communities. “We are committed to ensuring that residents of Mahalapye East and surrounding areas are the primary beneficiaries of this investment. This is how we grow the economy—from the ground up,” he said.
Jindal Africa’s involvement underscores Botswana’s growing appeal as a destination for responsible and impactful investment. With a focus on infrastructure, energy, and mining, the company’s initiatives align with national goals to diversify the economy and create sustainable employment.
As construction gets underway, the Capricorn Road Project stands as a beacon of progress and possibility, promising not just a new road, but a pathway to prosperity for hundreds of Batswana and their families.
