On April 16, 2026, Botswana reached a historic milestone in its energy transition. In Maun, in the Ngamiland district, President Duma Boko laid the foundation stone for the most ambitious photovoltaic solar project ever undertaken in the country: 500 megawatts of installed capacity, coupled with a 500 MWh battery storage system.
This project, carried out in a government partnership with the Sultanate of Oman, will make Botswana the holder of Africa’s second-largest energy storage project.
Once operational in 2029, the infrastructure will not only cover a significant share of domestic needs but also position the country as a net electricity exporter.
The results are already tangible. According to a report by Statistics Botswana published in July 2026, electricity imports fell by 29.8% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the previous quarter, and by 61.8% year-on-year.
Imports from Eskom, the main South African supplier, dropped dramatically, from 577,466 MWh to 220,305 MWh.
President Boko has set a clear target: to increase the share of renewable energy in the national energy mix to 50% by 2030, up from approximately 8% today.
To achieve this, the government has adopted an accelerated plan aimed at deploying 1.5 gigawatts of solar capacity.
The Maun project is part of a broader dynamic, with the Mmadinare and Jwaneng solar plants (100 MW each) already operational or nearing completion.
« This is not just a project. It is a clear statement that Botswana is ready to become a regional energy hub, » President Duma Boko declared during the ceremony.
With more than 3,200 hours of annual sunshine and one of the highest irradiation rates in the world, the country possesses a distinct natural advantage to lead this green revolution.
