Botswana
Science Granting Council
Summary
The Ministry of Tertiary Education, Research Science and Technology exists to provide and build knowledge and innovation through the development and implementation of Policy on Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology to transform Botswana in to a knowledge based society through effective stakeholder collaboration.
Council details
The Ministry of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology leads Botswana’s national efforts to advance research, science, and technology. Its vision is to drive sustainable development through research that benefits the economy and improves the quality of life for all Batswana.
The Ministry aims to build a robust research and innovation ecosystem. This includes effective research management and increasing the impact of science and technology on national development. By promoting collaboration across sectors, the Ministry ensures that research aligns with Botswana’s development goals.
Establishing the Botswana National Research Fund
Plans are underway to launch the Botswana National Research Fund (BNRF). The Fund will serve as a key pillar in the country’s science and innovation ecosystem. Its responsibilities will include developing a national research strategy and fostering partnerships between the government, private sector, and international stakeholders.
The BNRF will also facilitate cross-border collaboration with other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its creation is a significant step toward a coordinated and strategic approach to research funding and innovation in Botswana.
A Member of the SGCI Since 2016
Botswana has been a member of the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) since 2016. The SGCI works to strengthen the institutional capacities of Science Granting Councils across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Through this partnership, Botswana has benefited from training in research management, ethics, and intellectual property. It has also collaborated with 12 other countries on joint research projects, such as a funding call with the Research Council of Zimbabwe (RCZ).
The SGCI’s strategic support extends beyond financial aid. It builds the institutional capacity needed to manage research effectively. This includes developing skills in grant management, monitoring and evaluation, and policy development.
Botswana hosted the SGCI Annual Forum in Gaborone in 2024, welcoming participants from across the region to exchange insights and best practices.
Leadership Perspective: Research funding creating impactful outcomes in Botswana
In an insightful interview, Lesego Thamae, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Botswana Ministry of Communications, Knowledge and Technology, highlights how Botswana is making concrete impact through research and innovation.
Impact we’re having
Stories of change
Low-tech health app engages
Five years after its launch, PENSA – a mobile app developed in Mozambique— has been accessed by…
SGCI funded projects
Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Malawi collaborate on science and technology projects
Project Titles & Institutions Areas of Research Biotechnology, mining technology, space science, digital communication technologies, climate smart technologies, AI, agro-processing and renewable energy Number of Projects being funded In-kind Distribution In-kind support (~USD 5K each) covering…
Botswana Institutions pioneer water, mining, and tech solutions
Project Titles & Institution Areas of Research Mineral Technology, value addition, and/or beneficiation Number of Projects being funded 4 projects (2 collaborative and the other two solely by Botswana) Project Duration 19 months Grant Amount…
Research and Resources
Related News
Africa’s science councils urged to turn pledges into real impact
[NAMIBIA] African countries must strengthen collaboration, invest in research and scientists, and take greater ownership of science, technology and innovation if research is to deliver lasting development impact, participants at the 2026 Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) All Partners Forum have said. The call came…
Councils urged to take ownership of SGCI-3 as forum turns to systems
[NAMIBIA]Science Granting Councils have been urged to take greater ownership of the third phase of the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI-3), as partners turned their attention to the institutional systems and partnerships needed to translate the initiative’s ambitions into results. The call came during Day…
SGCI All Partners Forum highlights Africa’s research funding needs
[NAMIBIA] African science granting councils are examining their reliance on international research funding as a new dashboard reveals the flow of science, technology and innovation (STI) funding into Africa. More than 170 delegates from across the world are attending the 2026 Science Granting Councils Initiative…
