The acting President of Botswana, Mr Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe, emphasized that strong execution of service delivery is crucial for the success of the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP). Addressing kgotla meetings in Mmopane and Metsimotlhabe, he stressed that while Botswana excels in drafting sound policies, the country struggles with implementing them effectively.
“When it comes to drafting exceptional policies, we are among the best in the world. Unfortunately, we are still lagging behind in implementing those policies to transform the economic standing of our people,” Mr Gaolathe said.
He explained that BETP aims to guide Botswana towards its “True North,” an economic path where every citizen plays a role in moving the country from resource dependency to a diversified, digitally export-led economy. The programme identifies nine key sectors as drivers of growth: agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, education, social protection, healthcare, energy, and mineral beneficiation.
Addressing current financial challenges, Mr Gaolathe announced plans to tax remote services through income tax. Foreign companies providing services to Batswana will be required to pay taxes. The move will involve upgrading digital platforms to ensure a full-scale rollout.
Infrastructure development is also a priority. The government intends to improve service delivery and address shortages, including water supply. Proposals are under consideration to source water from Lesotho and the Zambezi River to meet national needs.
Residents of Mmopane and Metsimotlhabe raised concerns about slow land allocation by the Kweneng Land Board, rising crime, and the absence of a secondary school in Mmopane. These issues have contributed to social challenges and a sense of hopelessness in the communities.
Mr Gaolathe called on all Batswana to embrace practical execution, stressing that policy alone cannot drive economic transformation. The success of BETP, he noted, depends on active participation and consistent delivery across all levels of government and society.
