SPEDU - Selibe Phikwe - Botswana

SPEDU, an a entity guided by a resolute mission, functions as a regional agency for economic diversification, operating under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI). Its primary aim? To mastermind a sweeping metamorphosis of the expansive SPEDU Region, nestled in the eastern expanse of Botswana’s Central District, into a pulsating epicenter of economic vitality and prosperity. This undertaking is far from trivial, considering the region’s intricate challenges in cultivating sustainable employment, transitioning from mining-centered economies, and elevating living standards and household incomes.

Spanning its borders are five distinctive political constituencies: Bobonong, Lerala-Maunatlala, Mmadinare, Selebi-Phikwe East, and Selebi Phikwe West. Within this framework, a mosaic of fifty-two villages, inclusive of rustic settlements, composes a distinctive landscape. Approximately 400 kilometers north of Gaborone, the commercial core of Selebi-Phikwe emanates as the region’s pulsating center. As of the 2022 Botswana Report on Cities/Towns and Villages Statistics, the population of Selebi-Phikwe is estimated to reach 49,000 residents.

Strategically positioned, the SPEDU Region resides at a pivotal intersection within Botswana and the broader Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region. Its significance is grounded in its role as a conduit to the northern domain of SADC, enabled by an intricate network of robust roadways, railways, aerial avenues, and commercial border infrastructure. This connectivity extends further to the South African maritime gateways, most notably the renowned Durban port, facilitated by a labyrinth of roads and pivotal border crossings like Martins Drift.

Historically intertwined with copper/nickel mining and smelting since its inception in the early 1970s, Selebi Phikwe and its contiguous hinterlands have forged a symbiotic relationship. Fueled by a diversification ambition, the Government of Botswana designated the region as a Special Economic Zone, propelling industrialization across sectors encompassing Tourism and Services, Manufacturing, Agri-Business, Infrastructure, and ICT.

Distinguishing itself, the region boasts the stewardship of four major dams—Thune, Letsibogo, Lotsane, and Dikgatlhong—endowing it with potential for horticulture and water-oriented tourism. The region’s fecund soils, vibrant flora and fauna, and inviting climate reinforce its aptness for horticultural cultivation.

The bedrock of its industrialization and manufacturing potential is bolstered by expansive land resources, resilient infrastructure, and natural endowments including granite, sandstone, marble, and silica sands.

Central to SPEDU’s mission is its role as a Regional Economic Diversification Agency, with a focus on enabling and executing sustainable economic endeavors that stoke job generation and amplify social upliftment opportunities within the region. Driven by lofty aspirations, SPEDU envisions a comprehensive transformation of Botswana’s eastern jewel, aimed at redefining the region’s economic and social fabric.