UNDP Botswana

Yesterday, UNDP, as Co-Chair of the Thematic Water Strategy Reference Group (WSRG) alongside SADC, hosted the 46th meeting of this vital regional platform. The WSRG provides technical and strategic guidance for implementing the SADC Regional Water Policy and Regional Strategic Action Plans (RSAPs) and continues to be a cornerstone in strengthening regional #WaterGovernance. This platform fosters collaboration among Member States, River Basin Organizations, development partners, civil society, and the private sector, while promoting shared learning and coordinated investment in water resources management. Within the framework of the UNDP–SADC Memorandum of Understanding, UNDP supports efforts to advance transboundary water management, build climate resilience, facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity development in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), and strengthen monitoring and resource mobilization under RSAP IV. It also promotes water as a driver of cooperation, equity, and resilience across Southern Africa. In a region where 15 transboundary river basins sustain over 345 million people, the WSRG plays a critical role in guiding collective action to ensure sustainable, equitable, and resilient water management. Beyond its environmental and governance impact, this initiative contributes meaningfully to regional integration. If replicated across other SADC Member States, it could unlock new opportunities for job creation, particularly for young people, and help reduce the current rate of youth unemployment in the region. Entrepreneurship in water-related sectors - enabled by improved governance and investment - can empower young people to lift themselves out of poverty and contribute to broader socio-economic development. By supporting innovation, capacity building, and inclusive participation, UNDP is helping transform water challenges into opportunities for sustainable livelihoods and shared prosperity. This collaboration aligns with #Agenda2063 and the Africa Water Vision 2063, reaffirming UNDP’s role as a trusted partner in building a more integrated, resilient, and prosperous Southern Africa. #actlocalthinkglobal #prosperity

Gaborone recently came alive with energy and purpose as media professionals gathered for the First Africa Biodiversity Summit Media Training organized by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Botswana, and supported by UNDP through the BIOFIN - Biodiversity Finance Initiative project. The workshop was a strategic precursor to the upcoming African Union Summit in November, which Botswana will host under the theme “Leveraging Africa’s Biodiversity for #Prosperity.” The training was designed to equip journalists with the tools and insights needed to report on biodiversity with accuracy, depth, and creativity. Participants explored how to connect biodiversity to pressing issues like food security, economic resilience, and climate adaptation - making these stories relevant to everyday audiences. They also examined the role of media in tracking conservation financing and policies, ensuring transparency and accountability in how resources are allocated and used. A key focus of the workshop was amplifying the voices of Indigenous, marginalized, and local communities. By engaging with these groups, journalists can uncover authentic stories that reflect the lived realities of biodiversity and conservation across Africa. The training also encouraged a shift in narrative - highlighting innovative funding mechanisms such as green bonds and biodiversity offsets and showcasing the potential of nature-based solutions to drive prosperity. By the end of the workshop, media professionals left with a stronger scientific understanding and better prepared to cover the AU Summit and beyond - not just as observers, but as active contributors to Africa’s biodiversity journey. Africa’s biodiversity is more than a natural asset - it’s a foundation for inclusive growth, resilience, and opportunity. And with empowered media at the forefront, the continent is ready to tell its story like never before. #actlocalthinkglobal #Agenda2030 #Agenda2036

This week, we participated in the 2025 Africa Circular Economy Annual (ACEA) Meeting held in Addis Ababa from October 14th to 16th, where we explored opportunities for learning, knowledge exchange, and forging partnerships to advance circular economy initiatives in Botswana. This engagement formed part of our broader efforts to expand our portfolio to include the circular economy, a priority area for the government of Botswana. It also aligned with the objectives of the Africa Circular Economy agenda, contributing to Africa’s transition towards circularity by enhancing the alignment of national, regional, and continental efforts. #actlocalthinkglobal #Agenda2030 #Agenda2063

A New Chapter for Botswana’s Biodiversity This week marks a defining moment in Botswana’s journey of environmental stewardship. On the sidelines of the 9th Global Environment Facility (GEF) Replenishment Meeting in Kasane, the Government of Botswana officially launched the Protected Area Resource Mobilization Strategy and Partnership Plan, developed with the support of UNDP through the BIOFIN - Biodiversity Finance Initiative. This milestone strategy is more than a financing framework - it is a national commitment to safeguard ecosystems, empower communities, and drive sustainable growth. As Hon. Dr. Phenyo Butale, Acting Minister of Environment and Tourism, powerfully stated: “Our protected areas are not just landscapes; they are living ecosystems that support livelihoods and resilience in the face of climate change.” The Strategy identifies a financing gap of approximately USD 30 million, underscoring the urgency of mobilizing additional and sustained investment in biodiversity conservation. It also presents a comprehensive action plan and a catalogue of innovative finance solutions - including the development of an online booking, payment, and revenue collection system supported by BIOFIN - designed to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of protected area management. Through this strategy, Botswana is charting a bold new path that strengthens partnerships between government, communities, the private sector, and development partners to sustainably finance biodiversity conservation while unlocking opportunities for jobs, enterprise, and inclusive growth. We are proud to stand alongside the Government of Botswana in this transformative effort to ensure that nature continues to thrive - for people, prosperity, and the planet. #SustainableDevelopment #NatureForPeople #PartnershipsForThePlanet

𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 - 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲. Botswana’s Chobe National Park, home to the world’s largest elephant population, is now a model for sustainable financing. With support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and UNDP's BIOFIN - Biodiversity Finance Initiative, park entrance fees were revised for the first time in over 20 years - generating over US$7.8 million in just one year! These funds are now reinvested into conservation and community development, proving that investing in nature pays back. #ForPeopleForPlanet #SustainableDevelopment #ClimateAction #GEFImpact

Kasane Welcomes the 9th GEF Replenishment Meeting! As the world gathers in Botswana to shape the future of global environmental financing, we celebrate Botswana’s strong and enduring partnership with the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Since 1995, Botswana has received US$38.5 million in GEF grants across 21 transformative projects - driving biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable development. Today, Botswana’s active GEF portfolio includes 5 projects totaling US$10.2 million in grants, unlocking an impressive US$32.7 million in co-financing - a testament to the country’s commitment to environmental stewardship. As UNDP, we’re proud to support Botswana and GEF in advancing a greener, more sustainable future for all. #SustainableDevelopment #ClimateAction #GEFImpact

𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐚 Today, we witnessed a pivotal moment in Botswana’s journey towards inclusive growth and quality lives at the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs - Botswana Symposium, themed “𝐑𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚.” This high-level event brought together government leaders, development partners, civil society, and the private sector to chart a bold new path for local governance - one that is agile, citizen-centric, and future-ready. As we align Botswana’s transformation with the United Nations' #Agenda2030 and the African Union’s #Agenda2063, our focus remains on building resilient institutions, fostering good governance, and ensuring that no one is left behind. The symposium’s discussions echoed these global and continental aspirations, emphasizing the need for innovation, accountability, and inclusive service delivery at the local level. Key highlights from our esteemed speakers: “This is a platform or forum for ideation for rethinking, remodeling, reimagining, reengineering the role of local government, taking into consideration its proximity to the people, which positions it profoundly to provide quality services.” - Hon. Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs “Botswana has been a stable and progressive multi-party democracy for all her post-independence history. During this period, the economy has grown tremendously from a poor, low-income country to an upper-middle-income country. This transformation story has largely been a result of good governance that created and sustained unity, helped prudently manage the country’s natural resources for the socio-economic transformation of Batswana.” - Ms. Lovita Ramguttee, UNDP Resident Representative “A successful transformation of local government must prioritize agility and data-driven governance, enabling councils to respond in real time, guided by reliable data and citizen feedback. Performance must be elevated to ensure that local authorities excel in service delivery, financial management, innovation, and public engagement.” - Acting President, Ndaba Gaolathe As Botswana continues to advance its Vision 2036, today’s symposium reaffirmed our collective commitment to transforming local government into a driver of sustainable development, in line with both national priorities and the broader goals of Agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063. Let’s continue to collaborate, innovate, and empower our communities - because local action is the foundation of global progress. #actlocalthinkglobal

Big News from UniPod! We’ve officially launched the Wadhwani – Ignite Entrepreneurship Program in Botswana! This dynamic 12–14 week self-paced journey is designed to turn bright ideas into sustainable ventures. Think of it as a startup “gym,” where aspiring entrepreneurs strengthen their entrepreneurial mindset, validate business ideas, design prototypes, and learn how to pitch with confidence. Along the way, participants sharpen critical thinking, financial literacy, creativity, and collaboration skills that are vital for thriving in today’s fast-changing world. What makes this program stand out is the combination of global-standard curriculum, 24/7 AI tutor support, mentorship from seasoned startup guides, and real-world learning through simulations and case studies. Plus, it connects participants to a vibrant community of future changemakers who are equally passionate about innovation and impact. We’re proud to share that one of our UniPod team members has successfully completed the Training of Trainers, ensuring that every participant receives tailored guidance and hands-on support. With 15 projects already on board, this marks another bold step in UniPod’s mission to empower youth-led innovation and entrepreneurship in Botswana. The future looks bright — let’s ignite it together. 🔥

𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐚 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧, 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐚 Today marks the beginning of a transformative journey for 35 early-stage startups under the UniPod Botswana incubator. From now until December, these entrepreneurs will dive deep into the Business Financial Literacy Program—a hands-on, mindset-shifting initiative designed to equip them with the tools to decode financial statements, forecast cash flows, and build resilient financial models that attract investors and withstand uncertainty. But this is more than just a training program. It’s a strategic investment in Botswana’s future. As we walk toward the aspirations of #Agenda2063 - Africa’s blueprint for inclusive growth and sustainable development - programs like this are laying the groundwork for a continent driven by innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic self-reliance. Financial literacy is not just a skill; it’s a catalyst for job creation, wealth generation, and community upliftment. By integrating behavioral insights with practical financial tools, we’re helping entrepreneurs not only manage their businesses better but also dream bigger. Because when African startups thrive, Africa thrives. Here’s to building the Africa we want, one financially empowered entrepreneur at a time. #financialliteracy #entrepreneurship #SMEs #StartUpAfrica #actlocalthinkglobal

𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐚 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧, 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐚 Today, we join the Ministry of Environment and Tourism in celebrating the official launch of City Tourism in Gaborone, a bold step under Botswana’s National Tourism Strategy and Master Plan. This initiative seeks to unlock the city’s rich urban, cultural, and ecological assets, positioning Gaborone as a leading urban tourism destination in the region. As part of this evolving ecosystem, our collaboration with the Ministry through the BIOFIN - Biodiversity Finance Initiative will support the development of public-private partnership models for managing protected areas. These early-stage efforts offer a promising, nature-positive approach to sustainable biodiversity financing, aiming to strengthen infrastructure, improve visitor experiences, and enhance ecological management. This partnership not only supports eco-tourism and job creation but also contributes to national goals for green growth and climate resilience. Importantly, it aligns with the African Union’s #Agenda2063, which envisions a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development. We are proud to support this transformative journey and look forward to seeing Gaborone thrive as a self-sustaining, vibrant tourism hub. #ignitinggabzcitytourism #sustainabletourism #ClimateResilience