The Botswana Minister of Local Government, Hon Peter Siele has announced the start of the process to develop a decentralisation policy at the Botswana Association of Local Authorities (BALA) National Members Assembly which took place in Maun on 13 May. CLGF has been working in partnership with the Botswana Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, BALA and UNDP to enhance capacity at both central and local level to foster economic growth.

The decentralisation policy will see the local authorities being given autonomy for effective governance instead of having to rely on the ministry of local government. Hon Siele has urged local authorities to position themselves strategically so as to influence the process to their benefit and called for the entrenchment of councils in the national constitution to ensure sufficient budgeting for councils.

Botswana is one of the focus areas for the CLGF programme on Suppoting Local Governance and Local Economic Development. CLGF has signed a project agreement with partners in Botswana to support the development of a national decentralisation policy and LED fraework and strategy.

Find out more about CLGF's work in Botswana and the CLGF Southern Africa programme.