Gaborone – Botswana Development Corporation has broken ground on the New Botswana City project at the Sir Seretse Khama Airport Special Economic Zone, launching a US$1.9 billion development that the government says will help reduce the country’s dependence on diamond revenues.
The project, a partnership between BDC and Albaddad Group, will be built on 126 hectares of land and will include a convention and exhibition centre, four international hotels, retail spaces and other commercial facilities.
BDC Managing Director Oteng Keabetwe said the corporation’s contribution includes land valued at P198 million, with the masterplan and Environmental Impact Assessment already completed. He added that the project was expected to create between 14,000 and 21,000 direct jobs during construction, along with 6,000 to 9,000 indirect employment opportunities across the economy. 
President Duma Boko officially launched the project, describing it as a decisive move toward economic diversification.
“This project is a testament to our commitment to transition from relying heavily on diamond revenue to a diversified economy driven by services, tourism and digital innovation,” he said.
Boko said the true measure of success would be seen in increased tourism spending, investment inflows, tax revenues and broader economic activity, and pointed to the ripple effect that major international conferences would have on retail, transport, hospitality and local small businesses.
“New Botswana City will change how the world engages with us. When people come here for a huge conference, they bring with them money, creating opportunities for businesses across the economy,” he said.
