Maun is set to be upgraded to a city under a unique model that capitalises on its tourism potential and ecological attributes, the Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, has told Parliament.

Responding to a question from Maun North MP Dumelang Saleshando, Motshegwa confirmed that Government had acceded to requests from local councils to elevate certain villages, including Maun, to city status. The move is guided by the National Spatial Plan (NSP) 2036 and the Draft Final Maun Development Plan 2023–2043, which envisage Maun as a “Tourism City” distinct from the existing cities of Gaborone and Francistown.

“The primary objective is to position Maun such that it becomes a viable regional centre to ensure balanced national growth and a strong regional economy,” Motshegwa said. “Aligned with the NSP 2036, the plan promotes and capitalises on Maun’s tourism potential, developing a deliberate intention to plan and govern it as a full tourism destination.”

According to Motshegwa, consultations on the upgrade commenced on 28 May 2025, led by the Local Authority, to ensure inclusive engagement with all stakeholders and the community. The initial plan was to complete this consultation phase — which will form the baseline for the city upgrade process — by August 2025. However, the timeline is subject to review due to overlapping activities.

While the current level of infrastructure development in Maun already meets the threshold for city status under the NSP 2036, Motshegwa noted that additional resources would be required for Maun to attain full international city status. The timeline for achieving this remains uncertain, given the country’s current economic and financial constraints.

“The speed of the upgrading process will be determined by the availability of resources during national development planning processes,” he said, adding that the ongoing consultations will determine the scale of infrastructure and other investments needed.

In its envisioned form, Maun City will not follow the same urban model as Gaborone and Francistown. Instead, it will adopt the Green City Development Principles due to its unique ecological setting in the Okavango Delta region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The NSP 2036 also positions Maun as the capital of Botswana’s western region, strategically located to support a thriving, sustainable, world-class tourism-based economy.