The Vice President and Minister of Finance Ndaba Gaolathe has announced that the government is implementing a public-private partnership (PPP) strategy aimed at reviving struggling State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).
Speaking in Parliament, Gaolathe said the initiative is part of efforts to create an agile and responsive public sector.
The first SOEs to undergo reform include Botswana Railways, Air Botswana, Water Utilities Corporation(WUC), Botswana Power Corporation(BPC), and Botswana Development Corporation(BDC), all of which have reportedly been operating at a loss.
Gaolathe outlined that the reform will see Botswana Railways split into two subdivisions — “below the rail” and “above the rail” — as part of a new operational model. Further, as for Air Botswana- the flight carrier is in the process of identifying long-term private partners to restore its commercial viability.
Furthermore, Gaolathe emphasised that the PPPs aim to combine private sector expertise, funding, and efficiency with public sector oversight, ensuring improved service delivery and accountability. He noted that many SOEs have fallen short of their strategic goals due to lack of effective execution, underscoring the need for reform.
