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Botswana has launched an €8 million Green Value Chain Development for Job Creation Programme to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), farmers and community-based tourism businesses working in horticulture and ecotourism
Funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in partnership with the Government of Botswana, the four-year initiative will run from February 2026 to February 2030. It aims to strengthen local businesses, create jobs and improve access to domestic, regional and international markets
The programme places particular emphasis on women, young people and rural communities, with support covering business development, market access, sustainable production and access to finance
About the Botswana Green Business Development Programme
The programme focuses on developing two value chains with potential to support local enterprise growth and employment: horticulture and ecotourism
In horticulture, the initiative aims to improve productivity, promote agro-processing, strengthen local supply chains and reduce Botswana’s dependence on imported produce. It also seeks to help farmers and related businesses meet market requirements and reach more buyers
In ecotourism, the programme will support tourism businesses, including community-based enterprises, to improve their services, strengthen sustainability practices and access markets. It will also support improvements to Botswana’s ecotourism certification system
What Support Will Businesses Receive?
Eligible enterprises and other participants in the selected value chains may benefit from:
– Business development support: Training to strengthen business management, marketing and operational capacity.
– Access to finance: Support aimed at improving enterprises’ ability to access appropriate financing.
– Market access: Guidance on market intelligence, standards compliance and opportunities to reach domestic and export markets.
– Sustainable business practices: Support for resource efficiency, circular economy practices and environmentally responsible production.
– Ecotourism certification: Assistance to improve quality standards and certification for tourism businesses.
– Digital market access: Support to help businesses improve their market reach through digital channels.
– Value chain linkages: Opportunities to strengthen connections between local producers, tourism operators and other buyers.
The €8 million represents the total programme budget over four years. It should not be interpreted as a grant of €8 million available to an individual business. The programme’s public announcement does not establish a fixed grant amount for each applicant
The programme focuses on the following areas
1. Horticulture and Agro-processing
Support is intended for farmers and businesses involved in fruit and vegetable production, processing, storage, distribution and related activities. The programme seeks to improve productivity, strengthen local supply chains and help enterprises meet market requirements
2. Ecotourism
Tourism businesses, including community-based tourism enterprises, may benefit from support to improve service quality, sustainability practices, certification and access to customers
The programme also aims to strengthen connections between tourism operators and local horticultural producers, creating opportunities for local suppliers to sell produce to hotels, lodges and other tourism facilities
Who Can Apply?
The programme is designed to support businesses and other stakeholders participating in Botswana’s horticulture and ecotourism value chains
Potential beneficiaries include:
– Small and medium-sized enterprises operating in horticulture or ecotourism.
– Farmers and horticultural producers.
– Agro-processing businesses and related suppliers.
– Community-based tourism enterprises.
– Businesses and organisations contributing to the selected value chains.
– Women- and youth-led enterprises, which are among the programme’s priority groups
The programme is focused on Botswana. Businesses based in other African countries should not assume they are eligible for direct support
Specific application criteria, required documents and selection conditions depend on the support opportunity being offered. Applicants should confirm these details through the official programme channels before submitting an application
Programme Duration
The initiative will run for four years, from February 2026 to February 2030
During this period, the programme will work with enterprises, government institutions and business support organisations to strengthen the selected value chains and improve the conditions for sustainable business growth
Application Deadline
The overall programme runs until February 2030, but this is not an application deadline. The available programme announcements do not establish a single closing date for all businesses seeking support
Interested enterprises should check the official application channel for the specific opportunity, eligibility requirements and submission deadline
How to Apply
Interested businesses can begin by visiting the official International Trade Centre website and checking for current opportunities under the Botswana Green Value Chain Development for Job Creation Programme
Applicants should:
1. Confirm that their business operates in Botswana and is connected to horticulture, ecotourism or a related value chain.
2. Review the eligibility requirements for the specific support opportunity.
3. Prepare relevant business registration details and information about their products, services and operations.
4. Gather any additional documents requested in the application form.
5. Submit the application through the designated official channel, following the stated instructions and deadline
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