- Botswana Electrification Efforts Progress with New Plans for Villages Under the Transitional National Development Plan, 447 out of 565 gazetted villages have been connected to the national grid, and 19 more will be added by the end of the month.
- Minister Lefoko Moagi announced that Botswana has achieved 81.9% village electrification, with a goal to reach 86% by the end of the current financial year, despite challenges in remote areas.
As of the end of the eleventh National Development Plan (NDP 11), Botswana has successfully connected 447 out of 565 gazetted villages to the national electricity grid. In a recent parliamentary session, Minister of Minerals and Energy Honourable Lefoko Moagi announced plans to connect an additional 19 villages by the end of the month under the Transitional National Development Plan (TNDP) for the 2024/2025 financial year.
Minister Moagi detailed ongoing efforts to improve electricity infrastructure through the Rural Electrification Project, which aims to extend services to Mokubilo, Mmatshumo, Xhumo, Lotlhakane East, Phutisutlha, Mohutsiwa, and Gasita within the current fiscal year. However, he noted that these projects would be phased out due to resource constraints and ongoing allocations. Kanye North and South Villages, including Pitseng, Seherelela, and Sesung, electrified during the 2018/2019 financial year, will see further infrastructure development in subsequent phases.
The minister highlighted the need for additional transformers in certain areas: Pitseng requires four transformers worth P1.5 million, Seherelela requires four worth P1.2 million, and Sesung requires three worth P1 million. Since these villages were electrified during the 2018/2019 period and have developed plots, the current batch has been waiting for less than five years.
Botswana has achieved 81.9% village electrification, with expectations to reach 82.5% by the end of August. The goal is to increase this figure to 86% following the electrification of 20 new villages in the current financial year. Due to high capital investment and geographical challenges, regions like Kgalagadi South, Mabutsane, Letlhakeng, Okavango, and Boteti have seen slower progress. Nonetheless, 14 of the 20 new electrification projects are planned for these areas, focusing on implementing off-grid solutions as the country transitions to NDP 12.
In response to questions from Kanye North MP, Mr Thapelo Letsholo, about the state of electricity distribution in Botswana and specific needs for Kanye North, Kanye South, and Boteti East, Minister Moagi provided an overview of ongoing and planned infrastructure improvements. Letsholo’s inquiries included the number of transformers required, budgetary needs, project timelines, and the duration villagers have been waiting for electricity access.