10 Feb 2025

The Selebi Phikwe Citrus project continues to create opportunities for Batswana, Vice President and also Minister of Finance Mr Ndaba Gaolathe has said.

In his budget speech today, Mr Gaolathe said in terms of production, the project had already achieved 5 000 tonnes during the first harvest, and it was anticipated to rise significantly to 21 000 tonnes during the 2025/2026 financial year.

Minister Gaolathe said the increase in production per hectare was projected to raise employment levels from the current 294 employees to 600.

On the market front, he said there was progress in securing new opportunities for the produce, adding that while they currently serve several destinations, they were actively negotiating to enter three key international markets being India, South Korea, and the United States of America.

“I am pleased to inform you that these discussions are advancing well and are expected to be concluded by July 2025,” he said.

On execution of mega projects, he said for years Botswana had faced significant challenges in executing mega infrastructure projects, largely due to lack of technical and operational capacity.

In some cases, he said questionable contract awards, inflated costs, and poor oversight had raised concerns about corrupt practices and mismanagement, further compounding the infrastructure deficit.

Minister Gaolathe said government was intensifying efforts to bridge Botswana’s critical infrastructure gaps by ramping up capacity to mechanise and execute mega projects such as rail, road networks, power and water and Information and Communication Technology infrastructure.

“I am pleased to inform you that in the coming financial year, we will commence execution of meticulously structured mega infrastructure projects, crafted in collaboration with reputable global investors including strategic and game changing projects such as the Chobe-Zambezi Water Transfer Scheme. This project has the potential to enhance water security, job creation, agricultural expansion and food security, and drive industrial growth amongst others,” he said. ENDS