Solar solutions have become a viable business case in Botswana, but regulation remains an obstacle

20 February 2023

Representatives of visiting German companies met with their South African and local counterparts to discuss solar projects

Share this story

The Pan Afrikanist Watchman

German companies working in the solar sector undertook a project reference trip to Botswana on the 16th – 17th February 2023 as part of the Energy Solutions Initiative of the German Government.

The purpose of the trip organised under the umbrella of the Project Development Programme (PDP) was to visit successfully installed high-quality solar systems
and to meet with local project developers and experts from the public and private sector.


The PDP (implemented by GIZ) wants to facilitate and develop renewable energy projects by identifying local companies, assessing their energy demand and proposing a business case to potential German suppliers.


Over the course of the two days, participants representing companies from Botswana, South Africa and Germany engaged in vivid discussions on topics ranging from regulatory issues, investment matters, joint venture opportunities to the roles the public and private sectors have to play in facilitating the energy transition.

While everyone agreed that solar solutions have become a viable business case in small and large-scale power generation and are no longer “the expensive and complicated alternative”, obstacles still remain regarding independent power production and the sale of renewable energy.


German Ambassador to Botswana/SADC, Margit Hellwig-Boette, stressed the fact that although the country has seen progress in the past two years, things have to move faster with regard to improving regulatory framework conditions and
establishing a stronger lobby for solar energy by the private sector.

She emphasised that learning from each other as well as cooperation between local companies and international partners such as the German companies present are key to move into the right direction and without further delay.


During the field trip, participants were able to inspect commissioned solar pv systems either directly installed by German companies or with German components at Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) and next to Fields Mall in the SkyView Office Building in New CBD.


Dr Tobias Junne, Deputy Head of Division in charge of the German Energy Solutions Initiative at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), highlighted that these two visited projects serve as positive examples of cooperation between local project developers and German technology and expressed his hope that the PDP will be able to facilitate such projects in the future to create win-win situations.

Last Posts

President Putin announces Easter ceasefire

President of Russia Vladimir Putin announces Easter ceasefire

Share this story

Share this storyDuring a meeting at the Kremlin with the Chief of the General Staff of Russia’s Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov President Vladimir Putin declared that the Russian Side is ceasing all military action starting…

20 February 2023

On April 17, 2025, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and the United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio had a telephone conversation

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has a phone conversation with his US counterpart, Marco Rubio

Share this story

Share this storyOn April 17, 2025, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and the United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio had a telephone conversation. Secretary Rubio, who is currently in Paris, informed the Russian side…

20 February 2023

In the first installment of the Two Shores Dialogue series, two journalists — Ma Jiaying from China and Héribert Adjovi from Africa — exchange insights on the pressing issues of our time: rising trade protectionism, the shifting global order, and the long-term consequences of tariff wars. Reflecting on the legacy of the Bandung Conference, they advocate for renewed solidarity among the Global South, grounded in the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. A powerful, thoughtful dialogue that bridges continents and visions.

Beyond the tariff crisis, it’s time to take a fair look at globalisation… 70 years after the Bandung Conference

Share this story

Share this story‘A LOOK FROM BOTH SIDES’ is first and foremost an interesting Dialogue between two Friends, two eminent Journalists and a crossed vision of two media professionals, one Chinese and the other African (Beninese)…

20 February 2023

South-Africas-Government-of-Natiomall-Unity-on-the-brink-of-collapse-Picture-credit-Malawi-24.

THERE’S A SENSE THAT SA’S GNU IS TEETERING ON THE EDGE COLLAPSE

Share this story

Share this storyBy ABBEY MAKOE By all accounts, South Africa’s conundrum that is the Government of National Unity (GNU) will likely fester into a debilitating wound before it gets healed anytime soon. The revelation of…

20 February 2023

The world has now become irreversibly multipolar, a reality America’s ruling elites are refusing to accept.Photo | Mandar Pardika

US-China trade war: Standing up to the playground bully

Share this story

Share this storyToday’s China is not yesterday’s Soviet Union. Nor is Trump’s America the sole superpower. Anyone trying to push back the clock of history will get hurt https://www.newindianexpress.com/author/sudheendra-kulkarni The global tariff ‘war’ unleashed by…

20 February 2023

Panelists speak during the "Critical Raw Materials in the Age of Competition" session held on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, in Antalya, Turkiye on April 12, 2025.

Critical raw materials in age of competition discussed at Antalya Diplomacy Forum

Share this story

Share this storyPanel addresses geopolitical, economic, strategic importance of underground resources Sercan Irkin and Zehra Nur Celik  |13.04.2025 – Update : 13.04.2025 ANTALYA, Türkiye The “Critical Raw Materials in the Age of Competition” panel was…

20 February 2023

Related Stories