Botswana eyes Chinese tech to tackle challenges

Botswana's Minister of Water and Human Settlement Onneetse Ramogapi has expressed strong interest in deepening cooperation with China to address the pressing challenges his country faces in water and housing infrastructure.

During his visit last month to Changsha, Hunan province, for a meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Ramogapi said he was particularly impressed by China's advanced technologies, such as atmospheric water generation and rapid housing construction.

"Some companies can harvest water from air molecules — 50 liters or more — without drilling," he said. "For us, we have to dig boreholes. The water they produce is nice and not salty. That was very interesting to us."

With many communities in Botswana facing groundwater challenges, the minister sees promise in such solutions and expressed hopes for collaboration with China to help solve the country's water shortage.

The Botswana delegation in Changsha also engaged with Chinese companies showcasing rapid housing construction technology, he said.

The government is particularly interested in adapting advanced construction techniques for its flagship Bonno National Housing Program, which aims to provide affordable housing to low- and middle-income citizens, Ramogapi said.

Some Chinese private companies have been invited to explore investment opportunities in Botswana, he added, with several expressing interest in visiting the country in the coming months.

Ramogapi acknowledged that some investors are hesitant to come to the southern African country because of its relatively small population of 2.5 million. However, he emphasized Botswana's strategic position as a gateway to broader African markets.

Overpricing issue

He also touched on the issue of overpricing in the local market, particularly for solar panels and smart meters that are significantly cheaper in China.

"One of our biggest problems is that when we engage with middlemen, the prices become exorbitant. We want manufacturers to come directly to Botswana to produce, not just supply," he said.

"We don't encourage supply-only arrangements. We want solar panel companies, for example, to set up manufacturing plants in Botswana. That's how jobs will be created."

In addition to China's rapid technological development, Ramogapi said he was also impressed by how well the Chinese culture is preserved and the high level of public security.

Chinese Ambassador to Botswana Fan Yong said the two countries have expanded cooperation in various areas in recent years, and that he anticipates more investment from China to Botswana in the future.

Fan added that he is hopeful Botswana will continue opening its doors to Chinese businesses and deepen its cooperation with China to address key development challenges.

The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.