With a projected long-term decline in diamond revenues and increasing unemployment, Botswana must rise to the challenge of stimulating private sector-led job creation and diversifying its economic base, while also reducing inequalities and poverty, to attain high-income status by 2036. However, structural problems are affecting the country’s business and investment environment. This €5 million programme is supporting the Government of Botswana to implement “Doing Business” reforms through dialogue with stakeholders, analysis of the legal/regulatory framework, simplification of licensing/permit systems and development of e-government services.

It is also supporting ecotourism development, with a focus on: 1) community-based, economically viable and effectively managed ecotourism enterprises; 2) conservation and heritage areas; 3) strengthening the capacity of existing and prospective ecotourism operators; and 4) addressing legislative constraints and overregulation in the tourism sector.

Since implementation started, the programme has developed a strategy for the ecotourism value chain and updated the Botswana Tourism Satellite Account to better convey the potential of the sector and its contribution to the economy. The programme undertook a comprehensive study to review the business environment in Botswana and propose recommendations. As a result, the government established the Department of Business Services at the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Some key reforms notably in the area of commercial and alternative dispute frameworks are planned as well as the development of an Investment Law and a Business Facilitation Act. The programme is also assisting Botswana to digitalise public services to businesses, through piloting the digitalisation of a One Stop Shop in the tourism sector.