Africa-Press – Botswana. The African Development Bank (AfDB) has been hailed for not being just a financier, but a partner in the country’s development journey.
The bank has in the past financed the construction of Lobatse-Kanye Road in the 1970s, the Nata-Maun Road, Gaborone-Lobatse Water Supply and the Morupule B Power Plant.
Delivering a keynote address during the bank’s 60th Anniversary Cocktail Dinner in Gaborone yesterday, Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe who is also the Minister of Finance, said AfDB was a fountain of innovation and foresight for the African continent’s future, with its footprint woven into the story of Botswana’s progress.
He said Botswana and the AfDB had walked together since 1972, from the days of concessional funding under the African Development Fund to the robust collaboration that the country enjoyed today, which exceeded more than P35. 8 billion (US$2.6 billion) across 67 transformative projects.
“We have seen the bank not only as a builder of roads and dams, but also as a partner in thinking, reforming and re-imagining. Whether through technical assistance in procurement reforms, lines of credit to our development institutions or policy advisory during our most difficult transitions. The bank has walked with us, quietly, consistently and strategically,” said Mr Gaolathe.
For this reason, the Vice President said time had come for Botswana and the AfDB to deepen their collaboration further, urging the bank to establish a local presence in Botswana.
“We understand that physical infrastructure takes time however, having a representative can bring us closer more quickly. We are ready and we await your handshake,” he said.
Mr Gaolathe said the bank’s 60th anniversary celebration presented an opportunity for the African continent’s renewed vision, expressing concern that the continent had long been misunderstood, because the world saw it only in statistics and not in its potential.
The AfDB, the Vice President said was a beacon of Africa’s own dream, born of African minds, shaped by African hands and led by an unshakable commitment to the dignity, prosperity and empowerment of the African people. Further, Mr Gaolathe commended the bank for leading conversations that challenged the world to rethink Africa, not as a continent of scarcity, but as the richest cradle of life on earth.
Africa, he said held over 30 per cent of the world’s critical minerals, commending the AfDB’s pioneering efforts to establish a unified African strategy for critical minerals and its proposal of a Critical Minerals-Backed African Currency.
“When we begin to value what the Earth has given us, rather than solely what markets dictate, we redefine the concept of wealth. Africans must be the custodians of their own resources, authors of their policies and the protectors of their future,” said Mr Gaolathe.
AfDB deputy director general for Southern Africa and country manager for Botswana, Ms Moono Mupotola said she embarked on her role, as the new country manager for Botswana, with profound respect for the country’s vision and with a strong sense of responsibility to enhance the long standing collaboration and partnership.
“I eagerly anticipate working with all of you, to further the strategic priorities that will help Botswana with its ambition of becoming a high-income country.
Together we can deliver impactful results by ensuring that our collaboration continues to build tangible benefits to the people of Botswana and drive positive change that will propel Botswana and the continent towards new heights,” she said.
The AfDB was established in in September 1964 to help drive development and economic growth across the African continent. From that vision, Ms Mupotola said the bank was born with a clear mission to reduce poverty and support sustainable progress on the continent.
“Since then, the AfDB has played a vital role in Africa’s development story, it has grown, deepened partnerships and helped shape the continent’s place in the global financial landscape,” she added.
The bank, she said had remained a steady partner committed to innovation, inclusion and impact with a true concession of financing, technical support or policy dialogue.
Ms Mutopola said the bank’s partnership with Botswana had come a long way, with the first loan extended to the country in November 1973, which supported the extension and modernisation of the telecommunication systems in the country.
“Another of our key projects has been the Pandamatenga Agriculture Infrastructure Development project, which supported increased crop production,” she said, adding that Botswana and AfDB’s relationship had been characterised by mutual respect and collaboration.
More recently, she said the bank had committed itself to support the government in implementing the shared strategy, running from 2022 to 2026, with focus areas on; building economic resilience through support, economic governance and private sector development, as well as infrastructure development for improved competitiveness.
Additionally, the AfDB’s deputy director general said the bank would continue to work with the government in its implementation of the Public Investment Programme and as it rolls out the 12th National Development Plan.
Furthermore, Ms Mutopola said the AfDB also aimed to support the country’s priorities, including initiatives aimed at diversifying the economy, creating jobs, enhancing skills development and promoting manufacturing and value addition industries, expanding regional and international trade and modernising agriculture to ensure food security.
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