The Projects Magazine

𝗗𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗘𝗥𝗦 , 𝗗𝗘𝗕𝗦𝗪𝗔𝗡𝗔, 𝗗𝗧𝗖𝗕, 𝗕𝗜𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗝𝗢𝗜𝗡 𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗚 𝗚𝗜𝗥𝗟 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗖𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 , 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗦 & 𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗥𝗦 In celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child, diamond companies—De Beers Group, Debswana, and DTC Botswana—partnered with the Ministry of Education, BIUST, and WomEng to inspire and empower the next generation of female engineers. The initiative hosted over 250 young girls from Palapye and surrounding areas for the Girls in Engineering Workshop, an annual event that connects them with inspiring women in STEM across various industries. Female professionals shared their personal journeys, challenges, and successes, providing valuable insights into what it takes to thrive in the STEM fields. The goal of the initiative is to offer real-world experiences in innovation and creativity, helping shape a resilient and inclusive future where young women lead in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 📷DTC Botswana

[Watch] FNBB Head of Commercial Mid Torch Mr Petrus Sebina speaks to The Projects Magazine about the bank’s funding solutions targeted to citizen suppliers particularly in the Mining Sector. FNBB and Morupule Coal Mine this week launched the citizen coal transporters initiative.

𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗨𝗣𝗨𝗟𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗔𝗟 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗙𝗡𝗕𝗕 𝗟𝗔𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗛 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗭𝗘𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 Morupule Coal Mine, Botswana's flagship 100% state-owned coal mine, has partnered with First National Bank Botswana, the country's largest commercial bank, to develop citizen coal transporters. This initiative aims to unlock significant value for the local economy. The launch focused on strengthening partnerships among long-haul truck dealers, tire manufacturers, and, most importantly, the valued citizen coal transporters. This initiative reflects Morupule Coal Mine's commitment to empowering citizen-owned businesses and aligns with the national drive toward sustainable economic development and diversification. The partnership with First National Bank Botswana is designed to provide citizen-owned companies with essential access to markets and funding opportunities. According to Morupule Coal Mine CEO Edwin Elias, this initiative represents proactive steps to support the government's import substitution agenda and promote citizen involvement in bulk coal transportation.

[Watch] Morupule Coal Mine CEO Edwin Elias speaks to The Projects Magazine about their Citizen Economic Empowerment Program and the recently launched Citizen Coal Truckers Initiative.

𝗗𝗘𝗕𝗦𝗪𝗔𝗡𝗔 𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗦 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗡 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗢 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗦 𝗜𝗡𝗩𝗢𝗟𝗩𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗡 𝗗𝗢𝗗𝗚𝗬 𝗕𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗦 -Targeted companies include those engaging in fronting, diversion of projects funds -Companies neglecting employee welfare also face the risk of blacklisting Debswana has issued a stern warning to contractors involved in unethical behaviour, threatening to cut ties with companies engaging in practices such as fronting, diversion of project funds and neglecting employee welfare. The Managing Director of Debswana, Andrew Motsomi said while Citizen Economic Empowerment Programme has been a success, there are undesirable elements that they have encountered which undermine the intention of the empowerment programme. “Instances of financial mismanagement and fronting within our programme have surfaced, casting a shadow over the good intentions of our initiative. Let me be unequivocal: Debswana will not tolerate such behaviour,” said Motsomi when speaking to Debswana CEEP Business Partners on Wednesday in Gaborone. “Strict consequence management will be applied to any business partner found to have misappropriated funds or engaged in fronting, which is a contravention of both Botswana’s laws and Debswana’s policies.” Motsomi said such actions undermine the spirit of citizen economic empowerment and will result in serious ramifications, including removal from Debswana supplier database. He said employee welfare is another critical concern, as evidenced by reports of delayed or unpaid salaries among some of Debswana business partners. The Debswana MD said the company hold employee welfare to be paramount, and partners who neglect this responsibility will face repercussions that could jeopardise their business relationship with the mining company. He indicated that while these challenges may seem daunting, they are not insurmountable, noting that together with Debswana partners, they are working to enhance the sustainability of the company business network. Motsomi said this includes offering financial management training through our partnerships with financial institutions, which will soon be a prerequisite for accessing funding under the programme. Motsomi’s words were echoed by the President of Botswana Mine Workers Union, Joseph Tsimako, who said some contractors even go to the extent of refusing to sign recognition agreement, therefore denying their workers opportunity to be represented by unions.

𝗕𝗢𝗧𝗦𝗪𝗔𝗡𝗔 𝗢𝗜𝗟 𝗨𝗡𝗩𝗘𝗜𝗟𝗦 𝗣𝟮𝟭𝟵 𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗗 𝗣𝗘𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗟𝗘𝗨𝗠 𝗗𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗧 𝗚𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗙𝗨𝗘𝗟 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗕𝗨𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 The energy sector has seen a significant upgrade today with the launch of a high-capacity petroleum depot gantry in Francistown.The new gantry is designed to handle higher volumes of petroleum products, streamlining the loading process for trucks and tankers while incorporating advanced safety features to prevent spills and emissions. Botswana Oil CEO, Meshack Tshekedi said this development will reduce transportation delays, meet rising demand, and strengthen fuel supply chains across key markets. Tshekedi added that the Francistown gantry is part of enhancing the security of supply for the country. "This is an addition to the diversification of our routes and sources of supply to reduce concentration risk on the primary route and sources of South African Refineries. Noting that the Francistown gantry exists to receive fuel from Mozambique while the Ghanzi depot imports from Namibia. BOL was sanctioned to commence construction of the Francistown Depot expansion for which the groundbreaking was done in September 2022 followed by commencement of construction immediately thereafter. The Francistown Project was delivered in two (2) phases, and a total of four (4) contracts awarded to different contractors. According to the Minister of Minerals and Energy, Lefoko Moagi, Phase 1 of the project included mechanical and civil works with a cost of approximately P219 million and it is complete. "I am pleased and proud to note that citizens have been contracted through strategic partnerships for the delivery of some works in this project and more than P213 million has been spent on citizen contractors. I am delighted that employment created during the project so far is 452 people including artisans from Francistown and neighbouring villages." Phase 2 of the project comprises of civil works and construction of four (4) fuel storage tanks with a total capacity of 60 million litres. The total contract sum for both phase 2 contracts is P 434,662,850.72 and has been awarded to Concor on civil works and Trotech on tank construction. Moagi revealed that the development of an additional 60 million litres of fuel to complement the current 38 million litres capacity is a clear demonstration of implementing the policy statement. Once complete, the capacity will increase days cover from the current 12 days to 60 days as part of increasing the country overall capacity to the desired 60 days - 90 days cover. In addition, the facility will tremendously contribute to the overall implementation of the new 90% Import Mandate which is to provide significant opportunities for growth of the petroleum industry in Botswana. 📷 Bashi Kikia/The Projects©

𝗕𝗢𝗧𝗦𝗪𝗔𝗡𝗔 𝗢𝗜𝗟 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗦 𝗣𝟯𝟰𝟱 𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗡 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗭𝗘𝗡 𝗙𝗨𝗘𝗟 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗘𝗦 - BOL supports 16 citizen transporters with a fleet of 115 trucks Botswana Oil Limited (BOL), the national oil company, has spent more than P345 million on citizen companies contracted for the transportation of petroleum products over the past three years. During the current financial year of 2024/ 25, Botswana Oil has so far spent close to P100 million and expected to spend P300 million by end of the year, having supported up to 16 (sixteen) citizen transporters with a fleet of 115 trucks. According to the Minister of Minerals and Energy, Lefoko Moagi, in the next twelve (12) to twenty-four (24) months, the number of trucks owned by citizens would have increased to more than 200 as BOL is in the process of engaging more citizen transporters on long term contracts so that they can increase their capacity. Botswana Oil Limited through the 90% import mandate will drive transformation in the petroleum industry. The issuance of the Import License to Botswana Oil Limited to import 90% of petroleum products consumed in Botswana, came into effect on 1st April 2024. The main change in the petroleum industry is that International Oil Marketing companies now buy petroleum products from Botswana Oil instead of importing directly for themselves, which has opened the opportunity for BOL to engage citizen companies. When speaking at the launch of the BOL 90 percent import mandate last week, Moagi said he acknowledges the contribution the International Oil Companies have made to the development and growth of the petroleum industry since inception. “These companies brought in their expertise and invested in skills development and capacity building of citizens they employ across the spectrum of the industry,” he said. “They will continue to be key stakeholders as they play a vital role in the industry through the distribution of the petroleum products to their retail networks to serve both the commercial and consumer sectors.” The remaining 10% has been reserved for citizen owned companies who already had operating licences to import petroleum products, and their licenses allow them to import for their own consumption and distribution to their own retail networks and notwithstanding the 10%, there is no restriction on the volumes they can import for their requirements.

𝗚𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗦 𝗛𝗨𝗕 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗙𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗧-𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗗𝗜𝗔𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗞𝗜𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗟𝗬 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗧 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 Botswana has officially opened the first-ever permanent office for the Kimberley Process Secretariat (KPS) in the capital city of Gaborone. Botswana won the bid to host Kimberley Process Secretariat in 2022. Kimberly Process is key initiative for the global diamond certification, as it aims to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the mainstream market. Speaking at the official opening, Minister of Minerals and Energy Lefoko Moagi highlighted the importance of the Kimberley Process (KP), which was established in 2000 to stop the trade in conflict diamonds. He indicated that Botswana, as a founding member and the world’s leading producer of diamonds by value, has played a critical role in the initiative’s success. Moagi said Botswana’s hosting of the KPS office demonstrates the country’s commitment to preserving the integrity of the global diamond trade. "Botswana was motivated to bid to host the Secretariat because of the value and importance diamonds have had and continue to play in our economy and development," said Moagi. "We also sought to improve the efficiency of its implementation and contribute to its continued evolution to stay relevant and fit for purpose in this dynamic global diamond trading market environments. "Our interest is in preserving the integrity of the diamond industry. Diamond trade is the mainstay of our economy. There is no greater motivation than to host the KPS and continue the legacy and the spirit of the KP Certification Scheme." The Minister also mentioned Botswana’s in-kind and financial support for the office, which includes fully furnished facilities and covering operational costs for the first three years. Moagi further acknowledged the geopolitical challenges facing the diamond industry, particularly the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, he expressed hope for a resolution and reiterated Botswana’s dedication to ensuring that its diamonds continue to be a force for development. The establishment of the KPS office is expected to enhance the effectiveness of the Kimberley Process and ensure its continued relevance in the evolving global diamond market.

𝗜𝗡𝗩𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗜𝗧 𝗣𝟰.𝟮 𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗢 𝗔𝗜𝗥𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬 , 𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝗦𝗘𝗧 𝗔𝗧 𝗣𝟱𝟬 𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗢𝗡 - Thousands of Jobs to be created - Sectors include medical science, mineral beneficiation, hospital and tourism On Thursday, His Excellency Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana, officially launched the Gaborone Airport City Special Economic Zone (SEZ), a multi-billion pula premier business enclave poised to reshape Botswana’s economic landscape with an anticipated P50 billion in investments. The Airport City SEZ is designed as a world-class Diamonds and Logistics hub. This mixed-use zone will focus on core economic activities such as diamond beneficiation, aerospace and aviation services, cargo handling and storage, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, specialist automotive manufacturing, and plastics injection molding. This special economic zone is a collaborative effort between the Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB), with infrastructure development fully funded by the government. A key highlight of the launch was the unveiling of licensed investors that will spearhead Botswana’s next economic transformation. These companies will operate across a variety of sectors, including automotive, diamond beneficiation, genomics and precision medicine, pharmaceuticals, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), and freight and logistics. The Airport City SEZ already hosts several of Botswana’s top corporate and parastatal institutions, including the Bank of Botswana, Botswana Innovation Hub, Debswana, De Beers, DTCB, BOBS, and numerous diamond cutting and polishing companies. One of the notable investors is Syndicate Bio, a healthcare diagnostics development company specializing in cardiovascular and infectious diseases, precision medicine, and informatics sciences. It will establish a cutting-edge medical research center in Africa with an initial investment of P68 million. KM & EM, an international trade services company in the hospitality industry, will invest over P771 million. In collaboration with a renowned international hotel group, they plan to develop a five-star hotel, international conference center, and other tourism-related facilities, including food and beverage services, repair and maintenance,and travel agency services. Universal Builders,will invest P791 million into the tourism and hospitality sector. Universal Builders already operate prestigious properties, including Royal Aria and Grand Aria hotels. Benjamite and SAFDICO will invest P1.4 billion and P500 million, respectively, into mineral beneficiation, unlocking Botswana’s mineral value chains and creating thousands of jobs. These investments, totaling P4.2 billion so far, mark the beginning of a larger goal. The Special Economic Zone Authority aims to attract a total of P50 billion in investments into the Airport City SEZ.

𝗟𝗢𝗕𝗔𝗧𝗦𝗘 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗬 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: 𝗝𝗢𝗕𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗗,𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗗 “At peak operation, the plant will employ around 240 individuals, with 114 already on the ground—over 70% of whom are residents of Lobatse. During the refurbishment phase, 80 jobs were created through contractors”