Just over a week ago, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) emerged victorious in Botswana's 2024 elections, placing the country at an exciting crossroads, with a wealth of possibilities for a climate-resilient, low-carbon Botswana. The newly elected Duma Boko administration, within its 2024 UDC Party Manifesto, has laid out an ambitious agenda which includes some commitments to climate action, from renewable energy expansion to sustainable transport and green job creation, aiming to position Botswana as a leader in Africa's green transition. While these goals are bold and will require substantial resources to deliver, the potential rewards for planetary health, the economy, and just the sheer quality of life of all Batswana are tremendous. In this article, we take a closer look at the key climate-relevant manifesto promises from the UDC manifesto and what it will take to make this vision a reality.
1. Public Transport Transformation
The Boko administration has pledged to modernise transport in the Greater Gaborone area, extending as far as Lobatse, Kanye and Molepolole. The intention to introduce light rail and overhead carts as promised in the manifesto is truly forward-thinking, but it will face notable challenges especially given the current limitations in infrastructure and urban planning.
To help you understand the scale of the problem here, consider that Botswana’s vehicle fleet over the past decade grew by over 5% annually, with about 600,000 vehicles registered by 2022 (Statistics Botswana, 2022). Gaborone’s congestion problem is particularly notable, as public transportation is limited, and private cars are the preferred mode of travel. The available public transport options, especially the ageing and overcrowded combis, struggle to meet the needs of a growing urban population, often leaving commuters facing long waits, cramped conditions, and unreliable service. To respond to this urban transport crisis, the 2024 UDC manifesto promised a shift to light rail and overhead carts, which could reduce emissions significantly. However, implementing such a system in a city that has long relied on road transport will require a complete overhaul of Greater Gaborone’s urban public transport infrastructure, potentially costing billions of pula.
Financing such a large-scale public transport system transformation in a country with a GDP of approximately $18 billion (World Bank, 2023) is undeniably a challenge, but it is one that can be met with strategic planning and collaborative financing partnerships. Success for this initiative will likely hinge on a blend of public and private funding, alongside international partnerships that bring both financial support and expertise in green infrastructure. By actively seeking investment from global environmental funds and climate finance mechanisms, such as the Green Climate Fund, Botswana can make this vision financially viable. South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) offers a compelling example of how Botswana could finance large-scale green transformations in the transport sector. Established at COP26 with support from international partners including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union, JETP is mobilising $8.5 billion to help South Africa transition to a low-carbon economy. A significant portion of this funding targets green transport initiatives, including electric vehicle infrastructure, development of the necessary policy frameworks, and e-mobility manufacturing. For Botswana, establishing similar partnerships could provide essential capital for ambitious projects like the proposed modern light rail system.
Beyond the financial challenge, the public transport system overhaul would bring substantial changes to the labour landscape in the public transport sector, impacting the livelihoods of the hundreds, if not thousands of drivers, who rely on the current transport model. While light rail could create new jobs in construction, maintenance, and operations, it will be essential to provide retraining and support programs for those affected, ensuring that workers in the combi and taxi sectors can transition smoothly into roles within the evolving transport industry.
2. Solar Expansion
With an average of 3,200 hours of sunshine per year and some of the world’s highest solar irradiation rates, Botswana is well-positioned for being a regional leader in solar energy development. Despite these natural advantages, only 2% of Botswana’s current energy supply is generated from renewables, with coal still accounting for over 96% of the national supply (International Energy Agency,2022). The Boko administration’s ambitious target of generating 30% of electricity from solar by 2028, double what the previous administration had targeted by 2030 as per the Integrated Resource Plan, presents a powerful opportunity to leverage our natural solar endowments and reduce reliance on coal.
A potential key component to achieving this goal could be the proposed restructuring of the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC). The UDC has committed to unbundling the power utility’s generation and transmission assets, a move that could improve efficiency and allow for more flexible management of energy generation and supply through Independent Power Producers (IPPs). By modernising our electricity utility model and introducing smart grids, Botswana can facilitate decentralised power generation such as community-based micro-grids and community-owned solar projects, which can improve energy access, particularly in rural areas. These localised and grassroots energy solutions would empower communities to have greater control over their energy needs and contribute directly to the new ambitious renewable energy target under the new administration.
Another key development promised by the UDC is the deployment of large-scale storage solutions, such as advanced battery systems, to manage solar power’s inherent intermittency. The UDC’s commitment to establishing a Botswana National Research and Development Council (BNRCD) is a step in the right direction for driving innovation in solar technology and storage, among other innovations. To fully realise this potential, our investment in research and development should move from the current 0.3% - 0.5% of GDP, and ideally approach the global average of 2%, to allow the development of local expertise and technologies.
3. Water Access
In urban Botswana, 17% of the population lacks access to safely managed drinking water services, with up to 85% of the rural population having access to only basic and limited water services. Owing to the growing population and agricultural expansion, water usage has also increased dramatically over the past couple of decades, placing extreme pressure on our already-limited water resources. While the new administration’s pledge to cut water tariffs by 30% is a positive step towards driving affordability, this measure alone may not address the core issues driving water scarcity in our country, in fact, it might just exacerbate it.
Botswana relies heavily on groundwater, which accounts for over 60% of the country’s water supply. However, underground water aquifers are depleting at an unsustainable rate due to overuse and inefficient agricultural practices. If the goal is to create lasting change, Botswana needs a more systemic approach that addresses not only the symptoms but the root causes of our water crisis.
To enable meaningful change, Botswana needs to focus on public education on water conservation, shifting agricultural practices towards water efficiency, investment in large-scale water recycling and desalination technologies, as well as large-scale community based rainwater harvesting and local water management. Simply reducing water tariffs alone could unintentionally lead to increased usage without the necessary conservation practices, potentially worsening the water crisis. Comprehensive policies that go beyond tariff cuts are crucial if the new administration hopes to create lasting solutions for Botswana’s water crisis.
4. Carbon Neutrality
While included as a simple statement without a target timeline, the UDC’s carbon neutrality commitment signals a positive direction. However, achieving it requires a clear timeline and actionable steps to move the commitment forward. Botswana’s carbon emissions are relatively low by global standards, yet the country remains highly dependent on coal, with 70% of our energy generated from fossil fuels. To truly champion the transition to a carbon-neutral economy, the new administration would have to show a true commitment to the coal phase-out and accelerate the deployment of large-scale renewable energy solutions, a process that even the previous administration had committed to. It is therefore incumbent upon the Boko administration to prove that it will deliver the net-zero economy promise under the blue banner , and a good place to start will be expediting the consolidation of a national Low-Emissions Development Strategy (LEDS) for Botswana.
Some African countries, such as Morocco and Kenya, have made significant strides in renewable energy adoption, setting a benchmark for what’s possible. However, these countries have benefitted from substantial international funding and government incentives. Botswana has yet to secure comparable investments. For the UDC’s carbon neutrality pledge to be credible, the government will need to set a clear target date and outline specific steps, such as setting up carbon markets, incentivizing clean energy adoption, and launching a plan for gradually phasing out coal.
To drive meaningful progress toward carbon neutrality, Botswana’s climate governance structure must be strengthened. Currently, climate oversight falls under a small under-resourced unit within the Department of Meteorology, housed in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. This limited structure constrains the nation’s ability to coordinate, implement, and monitor comprehensive climate action. Establishing a dedicated, high-level Climate Change Authority with direct reporting lines to Parliament or The Presidency, would reflect the urgency and prioritisation of climate change within government, ensuring that Botswana’s transition to a low-emissions economy receives the attention, resources, and oversight it requires. Such an authority could also coordinate with international funding bodies as an accredited Financial Intermediary (FI) through a dedicated national climate fund, and liaise across ministries to integrate climate considerations into all sectors.
6. Green Jobs
Perhaps one of the most ambitious and necessary proposals coming from the administration’s election manifesto is the focus on creating new green jobs. As Botswana’s diamond mining industry continues to decline, the need for diversification has never been clearer, and the green economy offers a promising alternative pathway for job creation. However, Botswana’s current workforce lacks the skills and expertise needed for large-scale employment in renewable energy and sectors such as the critical minerals industry emerging from the global renewable energy transition.
Vocational training programs in industries like solar technology could provide young Batswana with the skills needed to thrive in a green economy. Without a structured plan for building these programs, the promise of green jobs risks becoming another well-intentioned idea that lacks execution. In a country where nearly 60% of the population is between the ages of 18 and 35, the promise of green jobs isn’t just a climate change imperative, it’s a chance to create opportunities for the 45% that go by unemployed.
Across Africa, examples like South Africa demonstrate the transformative potential of green jobs. Through its Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), South Africa has created over 40,000 jobs in renewables, providing a model that Botswana could adapt and scale.
A Bold Vision, But the Road Ahead is Rocky
Having finally earned the opportunity at governance on its 2024 UDC Party Manifesto, the Duma Boko administration’s climate-related promises represent an exciting shift in Botswana’s climate policy. The focus on renewable energy , sustainable public transport systems, water management, and green jobs shows a genuine commitment to tackling climate change. Yet, the gap between ambition and practical execution remains wide. The scale of change required is significant, and without clear timelines, realistic budgets, and strong partnerships, there is a risk that these goals will remain unfulfilled. It is thus imperative that the administration now moves from manifesto, to strategy.
Botswana has a tremendous opportunity to lead by example in Africa, but turning this vision into reality will require careful planning as early as now, as well as transparent inclusive governance, and a willingness to make tough decisions. If the UDC’s Boko administration can address these challenges with clear, actionable steps, Botswana may indeed become a beacon of climate resilient development in Africa. The stakes are high, but so are the potential rewards.
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