This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 7/22/2019

Overview
 

Botswana is facing major challenges in addressing health threats such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.  To improve service delivery in the health sector, the government has prioritized human resources development, technology and supply chain capacity.  The government also seeks to improve health care infrastructure and provide and upgrade medical and surgical equipment.  Currently there is no pharmaceutical production capacity in Botswana, however companies are engaged in the importation and packaging of bulk drugs.

For the 2019/20 financial year, healthcare is scheduled to account for roughly 16.2% of the government’s recurrent budget, or P7.63 billion ($740 million).  Over the past several years, in part due to generous financial assistance from the United States under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Botswana has made giant strides in the response to HIV/AIDS.  Health sector improvements include construction of new and rehabilitated health facilities, the introduction of data collection and storage technologies, and other innovations such as telemedicine.  Botswana’s Ministry of Health and Wellness is planning a series of hospital infrastructure improvements, including improvements to several district medical facilities.  Due to shortages of trained healthcare professionals, the government may seek to outsource several health services.  To meet this shortage, the Government of Botswana with the University of Botswana has built a 450-bed academic teaching hospital which has  yet to open. 
 

Sub-Sector Best Prospects

The best prospects highlight the provision of construction, medical technology and surgical equipment, the supply of drugs and commodities, and supportive healthcare services for treatment of HIV/AIDS and related infections.
 

Opportunities

Infrastructure improvements and equipment upgrades at several hospitals and medical facilities are planned as part of the government’s infrastructure development plans.  The government intends to develop local pharmaceutical production capacity.  Some international companies have shown interest in expanding regional production capacity by opening facilities in Botswana.  Currently there are two pharmaceutical companies that are engaged in the importation of bulk drugs for packaging and distribution in the country, with plans to manufacture here in the future.

Other opportunities may include investment in the training of health personnel in the country, particularly in areas such as commodity planning and forecasting, as well as logistics and supply chain.  Finally, the technology sector may find opportunity through Botswana’s plans to strengthen its health information systems in order to improve the collection, dissemination and storage of data. 
 

Web Resources

Ministry of Health: www.moh.gov.bw 
Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry: www.mti.gov.bw
Department of Customs and Excise: www.finance.gov.bw/customs
President's Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) www.pepfar.gov
PEPFAR Botswana:  www.pepfar.gov/countries/botswana   

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