Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) Managing Director, Mr Oteng Keabetswe, was the keynote speaker at Selemela Kgotla Botswana 60th Independence Celebration held this morning. In his keynote address, Mr Keabetswe reflected on the significance of Botswana’s 60 years of independence, emphasising the importance of unity, community participation and collective responsibility in building a stronger and more prosperous nation. As part of the celebrations, BDC and the Fairscape Precinct Community donated three cows to the Gaborone South Constituency including Babusi Ward which we are in. This reaffirms the Corporation’s commitment to supporting communities and contributing to initiatives that bring people together. As Botswana celebrates six decades of independence, BDC remains committed to creating sustainable economic value and contributing to meaningful development across the country. 

The third and final consignment of 206 high-yield Girolando dairy cattle from Brazil has arrived in Botswana, completing a phased importation programme that has now brought 600 cattle into the country as BDC continues to scale Milk Valley Farm into a modern, large-scale dairy operation.This milestone is about much more than cattle arriving on Botswana soil; it represents BDC’s mandate in action, with strategic capital being translated into productive capacity that will strengthen food security, reduce reliance on dairy imports and unlock opportunities for jobs, skills, citizen enterprise, feed and fodder production, veterinary services, logistics and downstream dairy processing. As Botswana celebrates 60 years of Independence, this progress also gives tangible meaning to BDC’s Power of 6 — our call to turn the significance of six into purposeful action and collective impact. At Milk Valley Farm, 600 cattle now represent something much bigger: investment moving from ambition to execution and creating the foundations for lasting economic impact.At full scale, Milk Valley Farm is targeting approximately 3,000 cattle and 15 million litres of milk annually, with the ambition of retaining more value within Botswana while building a stronger and more resilient domestic dairy industry.

Six decades of Botswana. 600 cattle from Brazil. One bold ambition to build Botswana’s dairy future and create impact that reaches far beyond the farm.

This is the second consignment, following the first arrival in July. A further 206 cattle are expected within days, bringing the total imported from Brazil to 600. Travelling with the consignment was Minister of Trade & Entrepreneurship Hon. Tiroeaone Ntsima, following stakeholder engagements in Brazil, accompanied by BDC Chief Investment Officer Ms Carol Jean-Haward. More than an arrival, this is productive investment in action — strengthening Botswana’s food security, reducing reliance on dairy imports and unlocking opportunities across the dairy value chain.

600 cattle. One bigger ambition: Building Botswana’s Dairy Future.

The BDC Managing Director Mr OTeng Keabetswe warmly welcomed guests, partners, colleagues and the Fairscape community to the celebration of Botswana’s 60th Independence Anniversary under the theme “Heritage Reimagined.” In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of coming together not only to celebrate Botswana’s rich heritage and journey, but also to strengthen relationships, create opportunities and support local enterprise. He extended a special welcome to Miss Botswana and her two runners-up, while encouraging everyone to embrace the day’s cultural experiences, performances, heritage games and the Made in Botswana Exhibition. He also reflected on BDC’s commitment to the communities around us, including the Fairscape community’s contribution of three cows to the Gaborone South Constituency, including Babusi Ward, and the launch of the “To the Power of 6” challenge encouraging acts of generosity and kindness inspired by the number six. As Botswana celebrates 60 years of independence, the message was clear: let us honour where we come from, celebrate where we are today, and work together to create greater opportunities for the generations to come.

On the 16th September 2026, BDC had the privilege of engaging officers from the Namibia Command and Staff College as part of their Geo-Strategic Study Tour to Botswana. The engagement, held under the theme “Understanding Economic Resilience, Culture Diversity and Regional Cooperation,” provided an opportunity to share insights on economic resilience in the context of Botswana, highlighting the role of strategic development and economic institutions in building a resilient economy. The visit brought together 28 officers from Namibia and allied forces, providing a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, benchmarking and strengthening regional cooperation. BDC remains committed to fostering partnerships and sharing knowledge that contributes to sustainable economic development across the region.

BDC participated in the Media Training on Ethics, Economic, Investment, Trade and Business Reporting in Botswana. The workshop was aimed at strengthening journalists’ capacity to accurately and effectively report on economic, investment, trade and business matters, while promoting ethical and informed journalism. The training recognised the important role of the media in shaping economic discourse and informing public understanding of Botswana’s economic transformation. It sought to equip journalists with analytical tools and a stronger technical understanding of economic data and policy issues, ultimately contributing to more accurate, credible and balanced reporting.

BDC was pleased to be part of this important initiative, reaffirming its commitment to supporting capacity-building efforts that contribute to Botswana’s economic development and investment narrative. The workshop concluded with the awarding of certificates to the participating journalists. The BDC Board Director Ms Chawada Moseki and the BDC Chief Investment Officer Ms Carol-Jean Harward had the honour of handing out certificates to the participants, recognising their commitment and successful participation in the training.

The 19th Botswana Consumer Fair officially opened today, marking the beginning of one of Botswana’s most important platforms for enterprise, trade and economic opportunity. In his keynote address, Sefalana Group Managing Director, Mr Chandra Chauhan, challenged Botswana to leverage its favourable economic climate to attract the right investors and position the country as a major manufacturing hub, with particular focus on the Airport Special Economic Zone. His remarks placed the Fair within a much bigger national ambition. It is not only a platform for displaying what Botswana produces today, but also for inspiring investment, strengthening local value chains and expanding what the country can produce tomorrow.

Delivering the Vote of Thanks, Ms Boitshwarelo Lebang-Kgetse, BDC’s Executive Head of Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations and a Director on the Board of Fairground Holdings, reinforced the importance of supporting local enterprise: “Every conversation you have, every product you discover and every purchase you make contributes to the growth of Botswana’s businesses and the prosperity of our nation.” This is precisely why BDC has brought the BDC Village to the Fair. Together with our invested companies, we are showcasing the real businesses behind BDC’s development impact and giving visitors an opportunity to hear first-hand how investment is supporting business growth, employment creation, industrial capacity and Botswana’s broader economic transformation.

Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) and the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) have formalised a strategic partnership to strengthen Botswana’s capital markets, enhance investment readiness and unlock new pathways for long-term capital into productive sectors of the economy. Through the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed this morning, the two institutions will work together to prepare BDC investee companies and SMEs for greater access to capital markets, strengthen investment capacity, advance ESG readiness, promote investor education and explore innovative financing instruments. A key area of collaboration will be the exploration of an Infrastructure Fund to mobilise long-term institutional and private capital towards bankable infrastructure projects in Botswana and, where appropriate, the wider region.

The partnership will also support the development of stronger pipelines of investment-ready enterprises, market intelligence, investor engagement and potential progression from SME and OTC platforms to the BSE Main Board, where appropriate. By connecting enterprise development, investment readiness, capital formation and public markets, BDC and BSE are contributing to a stronger investment ecosystem and supporting Botswana’s journey towards greater economic diversification and sustainable growth

Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening financial integrity and safeguarding development resources at the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) DFI Risk Assessment Workshop. BDC welcomed the assessment as an important milestone in understanding and addressing money-laundering, terrorism-financing and proliferation-financing risks within Botswana’s development finance sector. The Corporation will continue strengthening governance, beneficial-ownership verification, enhanced due diligence, transaction monitoring and post-disbursement oversight, while embedding financial-crime risk management across the organisation.Through continued collaboration, training and institutional strengthening, BDC remains committed to ensuring that development capital is protected and reaches its intended beneficiaries.

Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) have signed Statements of Intent for financing facilities totaling €100 million (approximately BWP1.5 billion), marking a significant step towards unlocking investment, accelerating private-sector growth, and expanding opportunities for citizen participation in the economy.

The proposed financing package includes a €40 million long-term Private Sector Facility to support commercially viable businesses and profit-oriented state-owned enterprises, alongside a €60 million revolving Trade Finance Facility that will strengthen access to working capital and support the procurement of essential goods, including medicines, medical consumables, equipment, and spare parts for hospitals.

This landmark partnership strengthens BDC's capacity to finance businesses that drive economic diversification, expand local value chains, create sustainable employment, and enhance Botswana's global competitiveness. The signing also coincided with the announcement of BDC's strengthened Citizen Economic Empowerment Programme, an innovative transaction-based financing model designed to enable qualifying, wholly citizen-owned enterprises with confirmed commercial opportunities to access the capital needed to deliver contracts, build credible track records, and grow into larger markets.

The proposed facilities align with the objectives of Botswana's Twelfth National Development Plan and the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme, reinforcing the critical role of the private sector in driving inclusive economic growth, industrialisation, and long-term national prosperity. At BDC, we remain committed to mobilising strategic partnerships and sustainable financing solutions that empower businesses, create jobs, and build a more resilient, diversified, and prosperous Botswana.

Milk Valley Farm welcomed the first batch of high-yield Girolando dairy cattle from Brazil, marking the start of a phased programme that will see 1,000 world-class dairy cattle introduced to the farm. This is about far more than the arrival of cattle. It is another important step towards building a stronger dairy industry for Botswana. Over the past few years, Milk Valley Farm has been laying the groundwork through significant investments in modern infrastructure, advanced farming systems, a carefully developed feed regime, and robust biosecurity measures. These efforts recently culminated in the farm achieving "Approved Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)-Free Dairy Compartment Status," reinforcing its commitment to world-class animal health and operational excellence. As the herd grows, so too will the opportunities it creates. The project is expected to strengthen local milk production, enhance food security, create jobs, develop specialised skills, and unlock opportunities for citizen-owned businesses across the dairy value chain.

Milk Valley Farm, A Botswana Development Corporation Investment

The Future of Mining Summit officially got underway today at Boipuso Hall, bringing together key stakeholders under the theme, “Mining for Transformation: Economic Diversification & Shared Prosperity.” Hosted by The Projects Magazine in partnership with the Botswana Chamber of Mines, the two-day summit serves as an important platform for dialogue on the future of the mining industry. It convenes government officials, industry leaders, investors, policymakers, and sustainability experts to explore opportunities for growth, innovation, and collaboration. As a key development finance institution, BDC is proud to participate in the summit, contributing to conversations on investment, economic diversification, and the role of strategic financing in supporting Botswana’s mining sector. Through engagement in panel discussions, networking sessions, and investment forums, BDC reaffirms its commitment to enabling sustainable industries and advancing the country’s long-term economic transformation.