A quiet revolution is blossoming in Botswana’s agricultural heartland, driven by the power of the sun and a timely injection of international climate finance. Since October 2022, the National Development Bank (NDB) has championed the ‘Green Energy Transition for Sustainable Agriculture’ project, transforming the fortunes of 54 smallholder farming businesses and significantly shrinking their carbon footprint.
Officials revealed this week that the initiative, bolstered by a generous €850,000 grant from the German government through the GIZ/International Climate Initiative (IKI) Small Grants programme, has empowered these farmers to ditch their noisy, polluting diesel pumps in favour of efficient solar-powered drip irrigation systems. The results are nothing short of remarkable.
The environmental dividends are substantial: an estimated 770 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions are being averted annually, while approximately 835 litres of diesel are being saved per hectare across a collective 25-hectare farming area. This isn’t just about cleaner air; it’s about fatter wallets for farmers who are no longer at the mercy of fluctuating fuel prices.
Speaking at a recent event, German Ambassador to Botswana, Gabriella Benneman, lauded the project’s success. She highlighted additional energy savings, with around 30,000 kilowatt hours of power conserved through the adoption of efficient lighting and heating technologies.
“We understand that NDB is currently working to secure further international climate finance,” Ambassador Benneman noted, underscoring the bank’s growing reputation. “Through this successful partnership with IKI Small Grants, the bank has strengthened its profile as a reliable and effective partner in local-level climate action.”
The German government, through IKI, has long been a staunch advocate for climate action and biodiversity conservation. The IKI Small Grants programme, financed by Berlin and implemented by GIZ, provides vital funding and technical assistance to local actors worldwide.
In a testament to its capabilities, the NDB was selected as the IKI partner institution in Botswana, independently overseeing the entire project lifecycle – from planning and selection to implementation and monitoring. This hands-on approach, Ambassador Benneman stressed, has been crucial to its efficacy.
“This high level of ownership has proven to yield more effective and sustainable results,” she declared. “Who better than NDB to lead climate-related efforts in Botswana?”
NDB CEO Ogone Madisa echoed the sentiment of empowerment. She revealed that since the project’s inception, 54 smallholder farmers have embraced solar-powered solutions, not only slashing emissions but also championing sustainable practices. Madisa highlighted the inclusive nature of the initiative, with approximately 45% of the projects led by women and seven percent by youth. Furthermore, a significant 60% of the workforce employed through the project comprises young people.
“This initiative reflects NDB’s commitment to becoming the catalyst for sustainable economic development in Botswana,” Madisa affirmed. “We are transforming into the country’s centre for SME-driven wealth creation, leading not only in words, but in action with innovative green energy solutions that change how we grow, sustain, and empower.”
The project, she added, seamlessly aligns with the bank’s overarching Green Climate Finance Strategy, solidifying NDB’s role at the forefront of Botswana’s green energy transition. The sunshine, it seems, is not just nourishing crops, but also sowing the seeds of a more sustainable and equitable future for Botswana’s smallholder farmers.
