Support for Botswana’s industrial diversification

Project description

Title: Technical advisors: Supporting Botswana to diversify its future Industries
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Botswana
Lead executing agency: Republic of Botswana
Overall term: 2008 to 2014

Botswana. Training for a budding mechatronics technician © GIZ

Context

Over the last 20 years, the Republic of Botswana has developed into a middle-income country, thanks to its extensive mineral reserves. Since gaining independence in 1966, the country has made significant social and economic progress. It has a democratically elected government and progressive social policies that are complemented by significant capital investment.

Botswana has recently made great strides in reducing its dependence on diamond mining. Whereas in the 1990s, mineral revenues accounted for well over 55% of the country’s GDP, today the figure is below 40%.

As part of the government’s ‘Vision 2016’ campaign, Botswana is attempting to further diversify its industry. Among other approaches, this includes measures to develop vocational training and the management of natural resources, as well as steps to address climate change and promote regional economic development.

After their development cooperation came to an end, in 2004 Germany and Botswana agreed to continue working together, with the Government of Botswana now as co-financer. On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), GIZ now supports the Government of Botswana in diversifying the country’s industry and in aspects of capacity development. GIZ’s advisors are currently supporting governmental organisations in the following areas:

  • Vocational Training
  • Management of Natural Resources
  • Climate change
  • Regional Economic Development.

Objective

Botswana has developed into an internationally competitive labour market and regional centre for vocational training. ‘Trained in Botswana’ has become an internationally recognised seal of quality for vocational education standards.

Approach

Botswana is striving to position itself as a regional education hub. GIZ is actively involved in developing educational programmes in support of the country’s international competitiveness. At various levels, for instance, GIZ is promoting the training of skilled labour. Through the expansion and improvement of vocational training, many young people will learn to hold their own in a global labour market that is characterised by competition. These measures are turning Botswana into an attractive place for outsiders to invest and work.

GIZ is supporting a practically oriented technical and vocational education system, drawing on the successful German model of vocational training. It should provide good occupational prospects for about 20,000 school leavers each year.

The support concentrates on the following areas of vocational training:

  • Mechanical engineering and technology
  • Mechatronics
  • Jewellery design and manufacture
  • TVET policy advice
  • Monitoring and evaluation

Through its involvement, GIZ is assisting Botswana in becoming a globally competitive economic force. It is supporting institutional and process developments, in harmony with mutually complementary initiatives by the government and the private sector. In this way, the country should come to be recognised as a location for international to investment and work. ‘Trained in Botswana’ should become an internationally recognised seal of quality for vocational education.

Additional information