GABORONE, 18 September 2026 – Construction of the new Alliance Française de Gaborone French Language and Cultural Centre has officially begun after the organisation handed over the project site in Village to local contractor Time 2 Build Bots Construction & Civil Works.

The site handover marks the start of one of the institution’s largest projects since it was established in Botswana more than 25 years ago.

Representatives from Alliance Française de Gaborone, project architects Lebone Architects and the construction team attended the handover ceremony, which officially launched the building phase of the development.

The project is being supported by Orange Botswana, Saint-Gobain and Schneider Electric, alongside backing from the French Government and private-sector partners.

Construction was awarded to Botswana-based Time 2 Build Bots Construction & Civil Works following a competitive tender process. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed within about 10 months.

The new centre comes as Botswana and France mark 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2026, adding symbolic significance to the development.

Alliance Française director Anne-Charlotte Monneret said the commencement of construction represented the culmination of years of planning.

“Today’s site handover transforms years of planning into reality. The fact that construction begins during the year marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and Botswana makes this milestone especially meaningful,” she said.

She added that the centre would serve as a long-term investment in education, culture and bilateral relations between the two countries.

The project also builds on a 2016 land allocation by the Botswana Government, which provided Alliance Française with a plot in Village for the construction of a permanent home.

Once completed, the facility will offer language-learning classrooms, professional training spaces, venues for artistic activities and facilities for cultural events.

Alliance Française said the centre would strengthen educational, cultural and economic ties between Botswana and France while expanding opportunities for language learning and cultural exchange.

The project has been designed by Lebone Architects, which will also oversee construction.