Welcome to the May–June edition of The Projects Magazine. As always, we are delighted to present another insightful edition, packed with stories that reflect Botswana’s economic evolution and ambition.
Leading this edition is our cover feature on Standard Chartered Bank Botswana, a long-standing player in the country’s financial sector. Under the stewardship of CEO Mpho Masupe, the bank is recalibrating its long-term growth strategy to reflect emerging opportunities in corporate banking and sustainability. In a move that aligns with its global direction, the bank is stepping back from retail banking in markets like Botswana to focus on more profitable and impactful segments—namely, large businesses, infrastructure financing, and wealth management for high-net-worth individuals.
This renewed focus positions Standard Chartered as a key enabler of Botswana’s economic transformation. Already active in mining finance and infrastructure development, the bank is reinforcing its commitment to sectors that drive growth and diversification. It is a strategy built not just on profitability but on partnership—with government, business, and the broader economy.
Also in this issue, we cover Botswana’s participation at JCK Las Vegas, one of the world’s most prominent jewellery and diamond industry showcases. Despite global economic uncertainties, Botswana presented a confident vision of itself as a diversified, investment-ready economy. There is a growing effort to move beyond diamonds and position the country as a hub for tourism, technology, green energy, and events. With a focus on attracting investment through targeted incentives and infrastructure upgrades, Botswana is clearly signalling its readiness to do business with the world.
We also turn our attention to a major update from Debswana Diamond Company, which continues to make a significant contribution to local economic empowerment. The company’s Citizen Economic Empowerment Programme (CEEP) is entering a new phase, building on a successful five-year period during which over P21 billion was spent with citizen-owned companies. What stands out in this new chapter is Debswana’s emphasis on building industrial capacity. With plans to establish a P600 million Repair and Rebuild Centre and a P165 million Training Facility, the company is actively addressing long-standing gaps in Botswana’s industrial ecosystem. These projects are designed not only to localise services but to create jobs, build skills, and reduce dependence on imports.
Across all these stories is a common theme: strategic transformation. Whether through financial innovation, global engagement, or industrial development, Botswana is actively charting a new path—one that is collaborative, forward-looking, and rooted in national priorities.
By the time you read this publication, the mining industry would have convened at Boipuso Hall in Gaborone for the annual Future of Mining Summit to discuss pertinent issues affecting the industry. The next edition will be a special edition featuring all conversation that took place at the country’s biggest privately organised conference.
We hope you enjoy this edition and find inspiration in the stories of resilience, leadership, and vision that continue to define Botswana’s journey.
Enjoy your read!
