AFDB APPROVES $137M BOTSWANA LOAN

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a $137 million loan to support Botswana’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds, extended under the bank group’s Botswana Economic Recovery Support Programme, will be used to enact multi-sector reforms that will increase spending efficiency, create jobs and drive inclusive growth. The project has three components: enhancing domestic resource mobilisation and mitigating fiscal risks to enhance macroeconomic performance and create fiscal space for spending on social safety nets; supporting private sector-led agriculture and industry to bolster productivity and value addition, increase job opportunities, and offering business development services to micro and small enterprises to advance social protection and gender equity. The three components are expected to reinforce one another. “The African Development Bank is providing support for reforms to enhance private sector-led agriculture and transformation of the industrial sector,” said Leila Mokadem, director-general of the Southern Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office. “Agriculture value addition can serve as a springboard for industrialisation and job creation,” she added. The project aligns with the bank group’s 10-Year Strategy (2013-2022) and its High Five strategic priorities, particularly industrialise Africa, and improve the quality of life of the people of Africa. Botswana is at very low risk of debt distress, and has a positive medium-term growth outlook, although a lack of economic diversification exposes the country to significant vulnerabilities. The bank group’s active portfolio in Botswana amounts to UA57.7 million ($81.9 million) and comprises four projects.