The African Energy Commission (AFREC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Minerals and Energy of Botswana, and the African Development Bank, has successfully conducted a high-level hybrid consultative workshop as part of the development of Botswana’s National Deep Decarbonisation Pathways (NDDPs).
The workshop, which comes after a similar workshop held in Madagascar last month, gathered over 40 key stakeholders including representatives from government agencies, academia, non-governmental organisations, and industry leaders. The workshop marks a significant milestone in Botswana’s commitment to achieving sustainable development goals while addressing climate change and ensuring energy security.
Botswana is one of three pilot countries being supported under the Africa Energy Transition Programme (AFRETRAP)—alongside Madagascar and The Gambia—for the implementation of country-level deep decarbonization pathways aligned with the African Union’s (AU) vision of sustainable, low-carbon energy development. This follows the conclusion of the African Energy Transition Strategy and Action Plan (ESTAP), which is set to be validated on April 24, 2025. The ESTAP emphasizes the need for sustainable exploitation, management, and utilisation of Africa’s natural resources. The goal is to accelerate Africa’s just and inclusive transition to a sustainable and low carbon energy system as a means of socio-economic transformation.
In his opening address, Mr. Midas Sekgabo, Director of Energy at the Ministry of Minerals and Energy, reaffirmed the Botswana government’s dedication to creating an enabling environment for sustainable energy development. Botswana’s National Energy Policy, approved in 2020, aims to ensure energy security and improve access to reliable and sustainable energy supply. “The NDDP project provides a crucial opportunity to assess and quantify carbon emissions in Botswana’s energy sector,” stated the Director of Energy. “This data-driven approach will guide the country in developing a structured pathway towards reduced emissions, improved energy efficiency, and increased renewable energy adoption.”
One of the project’s key objectives is to develop a carbon credits tax framework, allowing Botswana to monetise its carbon reduction efforts through its expanding solar energy projects. This will not only finance further renewable energy development but also strengthen Botswana’s position in the global carbon market.
During the event, Mr. Rashid Abdallah, Executive Director of AFREC, commended Botswana for its leadership in sustainable energy initiatives, including its successful hosting of the 2024 SADC Sustainable Energy Week Conference. He highlighted AFREC’s commitment to supporting African Union (AU) member states in their energy transformation goals through policy development, technical assistance, and capacity-building programs. “Botswana’s participation in the NDDP project places it among the pioneering nations in Africa taking decisive steps towards sustainable development,” said Mr. Abdallah. “This effort aligns with continental and global energy transition strategies aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy.”
As part of the decarbonization efforts, Botswana has prioritized key areas for energy efficiency, including public institutions, Residential sectors, Industrial and commercial sectors, Mining industry, Agriculture, Transport sector. This is in addition to the development of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for lighting, cooling, and distribution transformers, with regulations underway to enforce energy-efficient practices in the importation of cooling appliances.
Notes to Editor:
This project is being undertaken by the African Energy Commission (AFREC) with support from African Development Bank (AfDB) and is anchored in the African Energy Transition Programme (AFRETRAP), the convention that establishes AFREC as a specialized energy agency of the African Union Commission. Among AFREC’s responsibilities is to support African Union Member States in the development of energy policies, creating and updating African Energy Statistics, mobilising technical and financial support and carrying out capacity building initiatives.
For more information, please contact:
Executive Director | African Energy Commission (AFREC) | African Union |
email: afrec@africaunion.org | Tel: +213 23 45 9198 | http://www.au-afrec.org | Algiers | Algeria | Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
Nickson Bukachi | Senior Policy Officer | African Energy Commission (AFREC) | African Union | Email: afrec@africaunion.org | Tel: +213 23 45 9198 | http://www.au-afrec.org | Algiers | Algeria | Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn