Botswana’s Vice President and Minister of Finance, Mr. Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe, is set to embark on a two-day working visit to Vienna, Austria, where he will represent the country at the 2025 OPEC Fund Development Forum taking place from 17–18 June.
This year’s forum, held under the theme “A Transition That Empowers Our Tomorrow,” will convene Heads of State, Finance Ministers, global policymakers, and institutional investors to engage on inclusive, forward-looking solutions to the world’s most urgent development challenges. Key discussion areas include climate resilience, digital transformation, South-South cooperation, and inclusive economic growth—all of which are aligned with Botswana’s national development agenda.
Organized by the OPEC Fund for International Development, the forum serves as a premier platform for global dialogue on sustainable development financing. The OPEC Fund, established by member states of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), is recognized for supporting impactful development initiatives across emerging economies.
In what is being hailed as a landmark moment for Botswana, this marks the first time the country has been invited to address the OPEC Fund Forum—signifying the nation’s growing international visibility and its leadership in the areas of economic transformation and sustainable growth.
While in Vienna, Vice President Gaolathe will deliver a keynote address during the high-level session on “Digital Acceleration for Growth and Inclusion.” He is also expected to sign the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) with the OPEC Fund, a four-year cooperation roadmap (2025–2029) focused on priority sectors including energy, infrastructure, and innovation.
In addition, the Vice President will hold bilateral meetings with major development financiers, multilateral banks, and institutional investors to advance Botswana’s development finance agenda and attract high-impact investments.
“This engagement is a crucial step in the government’s ongoing efforts to forge strategic global partnerships and ensure Botswana’s voice is present at critical decision-making forums,” a government spokesperson said. “It also reflects our commitment to transparency and to ensuring that international cooperation delivers tangible benefits for Batswana.”
Vice President Gaolathe will be accompanied by senior government officials and is expected to return to Botswana on 19 June 2025.
During his absence, Assistant Minister of Communications and Innovation, Shawn Nthaile, will serve as Acting Minister of Finance.
