Botswana has taken a significant step towards modernising its public transport system following the official handover of electric buses to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA), paving the way for the introduction of electric metro bus services.
The initiative will be operationalised through Tana Holdings (Pty) Ltd, a CEDA subsidiary tasked with facilitating the day-to-day operations of the electric bus service. Speaking at the handover ceremony, CEDA’s Caretaker Chief Executive Officer (CCEO) explained that the project will initially commence with four buses, with plans to progressively expand the fleet to ten.
The phased rollout is intended to assess operational efficiency, financial sustainability and commuter needs before further expansion. The initiative is being implemented in line with a Cabinet directive to modernise public transport and promote sustainable, low-emission mobility.
Meanwhile, the CCEO emphasised that the project is not intended to compete with existing public transport operators and associations, but rather to complement their services while providing commuters with additional, accessible and environmentally friendly transport options.
The TANA model is also anchored on inclusivity, with stakeholders across the public transport sector expected to participate as shareholders, ensuring that existing industry players are part of the evolving transport ecosystem.
Operations are scheduled to commence this weekend, marking another milestone in Botswana’s transition towards electric mobility and a greener, more connected public transport system.
