Vice President and Minister of Finance, Mr Ndaba Gaolathe, is attending the inaugural Strategic Dialogues of the African Development Bank Group in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. The high level meeting is taking place today, January 7, and brings together African leaders, finance ministers and development partners.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Finance, the Strategic Dialogues aim to strengthen engagement between the AfDB Group and its member states. The platform focuses on aligning development priorities, improving policy coordination and unlocking sustainable financing for African economies.
During the visit, Mr Gaolathe is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with AfDB Group President, Dr Sidi Ould Tah. These discussions are expected to play a key role in advancing Botswana’s economic agenda.
The talks will focus on extending the bank’s technical support and capacity building assistance to accelerate the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme. The programme seeks to diversify the economy, boost productivity and reduce reliance on traditional sectors. AfDB support is seen as critical in strengthening institutional capacity and improving implementation speed.
Another major focus of the discussions will be innovative financing solutions. Mr Gaolathe and Dr Tah will explore funding models that can be deployed at scale to support Botswana’s development priorities. These include infrastructure development, industrial growth and private sector participation.
The Ministry of Finance notes that Botswana’s engagement with the AfDB remains central to its long term growth strategy. The government is prioritising partnerships that deliver practical results, improve fiscal sustainability and support inclusive economic growth.
Mr Gaolathe’s participation in the inaugural Strategic Dialogues underscores Botswana’s commitment to regional cooperation and development driven by strong institutions. The outcomes of the meeting are expected to strengthen Botswana’s collaboration with the AfDB and support faster progress on national transformation goals.
