Johannesburg: AfricUpdate – News Desk
President of the Republic of Botswana, Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, has emphasised the need to adopt a risk management approach in water planning and management to ensure long-term water availability and for better economic growth. Speaking on Botswana’s vulnerability to climate change, President Boko noted that the country is among four Southern African nations projected to become “highly water stressed by 2040” under a “business-as-usual” scenario.
He stressed that adaptation to climate change will require tailor-made interventions that are thoughtfully integrated into existing development processes and activities. He said the Government of Botswana is making deliberate efforts to change the trajectory of its developments by embracing investment by private investors and allowing them to do what they know best.
President Boko made the remarks when he was addressing the African Union – Africa Water Investment Programme (AU-AIP) Water Summit 2025, currently underway at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). He underscored that improving efficiency in water supply and sanitation services delivery will require significant infrastructure investment, including conveyance pipelines, network rehabilitation and expansion of reticulation network, construction of sewer network and service delivery throughout the whole onsite sanitation service chain.
“All these are capital intensive. It is, therefore imperative to efficiently manage the available water sources to effectively influence attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal 6 Target, as enshrined in our national aspirations, Botswana Vision 2036 and Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP),” President Boko said. President Boko said the BETP represents a new chapter for Botswana, which aims to ensure that innovation, enterprise, and local ambition fuel the country’s journey to a new future of prosperity.
According to the President, through this, the country will build a political and economic posture which will open a door to those who are ready to build with the government. “It is a call to action; for thinkers, investors, entrepreneurs, and institutions with bold ideas that can spark real economic progress. The BETP will in a nutshell engage projects or ideas that unlock new engines of growth across the country; bring fresh thinking to old challenges; create jobs and expand opportunities for Botswana; position Botswana competitively in the region and globally and support inclusive and sustainable development, not just growth,” the President said.
Due to the arid to semi-arid climatic conditions in most parts of the country with inadequate water supply sources and services, the President said Botswana is a water scarce country and knows the sting of scarcity. He said water shortage has in recent years persisted as a result of growing demand, exacerbated by the effects of climate change.
“Climate variability and uncertainty brings about extreme events such as droughts and unpredictable rainfall patterns, challenging the conventional way of food production by our people and potable water supply which relies mostly on annual rainfall. Our groundwater resources have also been significantly impacted by climate change variables. The sparse population distribution of the country creates major engineering and financial challenges pertaining to water infrastructure development,” President Boko said. President Boko reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the United Nation’s International Decade of Action on “Water for sustainable development.”
“Efforts have to be made towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 of ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030. It is, therefore, the responsibility of government to ensure that every designated settlement is provided with potable water, irrespective of proximity to the nearest water source. Water is a basic right, and without water there is no life. Many settlements in Botswana are located where there is either little or no water source. Thus, the need to reticulate, store and distribute clean water to the settlements,” President Boko said.
