The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) works in Botswana to help combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic, ensure sustainable management of natural resources, and encourage trade and investment. USAID is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. It is funded through the federal budget of the United States, and its contributions are a gift from the American people.
USAID focuses on the alleviation of HIV/AIDS in Botswana by strengthening local organizations and the Government of Botswana with technical expertise and financial resources to support the county’s response to the epidemic. USAID also helps ensure sustainable management of natural resources and provides access to credit for SMEs and entrepreneurs.
USAID has a long history in Botswana dating back to the late 1980s, when USAID first offered assistance to the country. As Botswana moved to a middle income country, USAID’s presence became more limited. However, since 2003 USAID has been helping to implement the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in Botswana. Since that time, PEPFAR has contributed more than $750 million supporting the Government of Botswana’s efforts to combat HIV/AIDS in the country, and USAID programs have been a significant part of that.
USAID’s office in Botswana was formerly reopened in 2014 in recognition of the size and scope of USAID’s PEPFAR-funded program and to take advantage of the development gains possible in a middle income country with even modest assistance in other focus areas.
The USAID/Botswana Country Office provides leadership on a wide range of development-related activities at the U.S. Embassy in Botswana. This includes coordination with the U.S. inter-agency network, Government of Botswana counterparts, and the donor community. Potential new activities are envisioned as USAID is actively looking for opportunities for engagement in other sectors where results can be achieved by leveraging limited development assistance with other development partners, the private sector, and the Government of Botswana.
The USAID/Botswana Country Office also provides in-country support for a number of regional activities managed out of USAID’s regional mission in Southern Africa, which address economic growth and environment, increase regional trade and participation in the African Growth and Opportunity Act, enhance agricultural production, and ensure sound management of trans-boundary natural resources. Get more information about USAID/Southern Africa’s programs. Regional programs support three Presidential Initiatives: the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, Feed the Future, and the Global Climate Change initiative.
