Gaborone, Botswana — The Pula Investment Conference, held during the Global Expo Botswana, brought together Africa’s sharpest minds to redefine how green investment can drive the continent’s future. Under the theme “Sustainable Tourism, Smart Cities and Environmental Management: Unlocking Green Investment Opportunities,” the gathering positioned Botswana as a regional leader in sustainability, technology, and innovation.
Moderated by business strategist Tloco Kelebemang, the discussion explored how artificial intelligence (AI) and automation can power smarter, greener cities and attract global investors. Kelebemang, who leads the AI Threadscommunity, described the moment as one where “vision meets tangible action,” celebrating how technology is reshaping how Africans live, work, and connect.
Among the distinguished panelists were Keitumetse Setlang, CEO of the Botswana Tourism Organisation; Ratanang Tsayang of Xaoo Safari Camp; Tadiwos Belete, Founder of Boston Partners PLC and CEO of Kuriftu Resorts & Spa; Kabelo Binns, Board Chairperson of Okavango Wilderness Safaris; and Tebogo Boalotswe, Sustainability Executive at Natural Selection.
Setlang reaffirmed Botswana’s commitment to sustainability, noting that the country’s tourism identity is built on protecting its natural heritage while unlocking value through responsible development. She highlighted the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) Strategy, which seeks to transform Botswana’s cities into green business tourism hubs aligned with Vision 2036.
The discussion celebrated the Okavango Delta—recently named the world’s top sustainable safari destination—and the management frameworks preserving its integrity: the Okavango Delta Management Plan, the Eco-Certification initiative, and the Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) Policy.
Speakers called for global investors to engage in Botswana’s expanding green economy, where environmental management, smart infrastructure, and digital transformation intersect. “Botswana stands as a land where nature, culture, and innovation converge,” Setlang told attendees, inviting the world to experience the nation’s balance between growth and preservation.
The Pula Investment Conference closed on a high note, reaffirming Botswana’s vision to become a continental model for sustainable development — a nation building cities of the future without losing sight of the landscapes that define it.
