Government is placing an P85 million bet on rebuilding Botswana’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, as President Duma Boko’s administration seeks to reduce dependence on imported medicines following a devastating public health emergency that exposed weaknesses in the country’s medical supply chain.
In his State of the Nation Address (SONA), Boko announced that the Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) was making a strategic investment of up to P85 million to acquire and revive a local pharmaceutical manufacturer, Botswana’s only producer of beta-lactam antibiotics.
“To augment these fruits of economic diplomacy, Government, through the BDC, is also making a strategic investment of up to 85 million Pula to acquire and revive a local pharmaceutical manufacturer,” Boko said.
The investment comes against the backdrop of Botswana’s unprecedented medicine shortages, which prompted the declaration of a State of Public Health Emergency on August 25, 2025.
At the height of the emergency, availability of critical lifesaving medicines reportedly plunged to 17 percent. Government subsequently intensified emergency procurement, while the military supported distribution to facilities across the country.
The crisis left hospitals and clinics struggling to access essential medicines, including antibiotics, hypertension medication, diabetes treatments, intravenous fluids and surgical supplies. Financial constraints, delayed supplier payments, procurement inefficiencies and distribution failures contributed to the disruption.
At the height of the emergency, availability of critical lifesaving medicines reportedly plunged to 17 percent. Government subsequently intensified emergency procurement, while the military supported distribution to facilities across the country.
The shortages also disrupted treatment and forced the postponement of non-urgent surgeries, exposing the consequences of relying heavily on external suppliers while domestic procurement and distribution systems remain vulnerable. The government’s proposed pharmaceutical acquisition therefore represents more than a commercial investment, as it signals an attempt to establish greater domestic production capacity and strengthen national medicine security.
Meanwhile, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war further illustrates the risks associated with international pharmaceutical supply networks. Russian attacks have damaged pharmaceutical warehouses and manufacturing facilities in Ukraine, disrupting distribution and threatening access to medicines. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has also highlighted how geopolitical disruptions, transport difficulties and sanctions-related complications can increase supply-chain costs and delays. Although these developments do not establish direct disruption to Botswana’s medical shipments, they underscore the vulnerability of countries dependent on international procurement.
Meanwhile, Portfolio Pharmaceuticals has manufactured its first batch of antiretroviral medicines locally and is working with the Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BOMRA) to complete regulatory processes before supplying the products.
Boko said Botswana’s economic diplomacy was already delivering tangible benefits through a 10-year government-to-government partnership with the United Arab Emirates.
He reported that 86 percent of medical supplies purchased through the partnership had been delivered, while 60 percent of Botswana’s entire 2027 order was expected by December 2026.
Government has also secured medical equipment at no cost, intended to reduce waiting times for diagnostic tests.
Meanwhile, Portfolio Pharmaceuticals has manufactured its first batch of antiretroviral medicines locally and is working with the Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BOMRA) to complete regulatory processes before supplying the products.
Government is additionally digitalising Central Medical Stores to improve medicine tracking, reduce wastage and prevent stock-outs.
