ALBADDAD Launches US$1.9 Billion New Botswana City to Drive Trade, Tourism and Economic Growth

ALBADDAD Holding, the UAE-headquartered global group specializing in modular construction, exhibition infrastructure, and fast-track project delivery, has announced the launch of New Botswana City, a transformative US$1.9 billion mixed-use development designed to position Botswana as a major centre for trade, tourism, investment, and international business engagement.

The project was unveiled in the presence of Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, President of the Republic of Botswana, and is being developed through a strategic partnership with Botswana Development Corporation (BDC), the government’s principal investment arm.

Spanning approximately 1.24 million square metres and planned across three phases, New Botswana City is envisioned as a fully integrated urban destination that combines residential, commercial, hospitality, entertainment, and exhibition infrastructure within a single economic ecosystem. The development is expected to strengthen Botswana’s economic diversification efforts while enhancing the country’s position as a gateway for regional and international trade.

Located in Gaborone, Botswana’s capital city, the project aims to create a dynamic environment where people can live, work, conduct business, and participate in international trade activities, generating sustainable economic growth and investment opportunities.

The master-planned city will include 51 residential towers distributed across 17 integrated residential complexes, 18 commercial and office buildings within six business districts, five international hotels, and an expansive boulevard featuring retail outlets, restaurants, cafés, entertainment venues, and service facilities.

At the heart of the development will be the ALBADDAD Botswana Global Exhibition & Convention Centre, a 124,000-square-metre facility valued at approximately US$292 million. The venue will serve as the first phase of New Botswana City and is expected to become one of Africa’s largest and most advanced exhibition and convention centres.

Construction officially commenced with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by President Boko, His Excellency Mahash Saeed AlHameli, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to South Africa and Non-Resident Ambassador to Botswana, Dr. Alfateen Hussein Albaddad, Chairman of ALBADDAD Holding, and Oteng Keabetswe, Managing Director of Botswana Development Corporation.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Boko emphasized the importance of ensuring that the development delivers measurable benefits for Botswana and its people.

“New Botswana City must prove that strategic land can be converted into national value; that global capital can enter Botswana under clear terms, with clear benefits and respect for national priorities; and that private sector capability can work with a public development mandate,” he said.

The ALBADDAD Botswana Global Exhibition & Convention Centre is expected to become a catalyst for economic activity by providing a permanent venue for international exhibitions, conferences, trade fairs, industry forums, corporate events, and regional summits. The facility is designed to attract foreign investment, support entrepreneurship, strengthen Botswana’s SME ecosystem, and stimulate growth across sectors including hospitality, retail, transport, and professional services.

According to project projections, the development is expected to generate between 25,000 and 37,500 direct and indirect jobs once fully operational, creating long-term opportunities across multiple industries.

Dr. Alfateen Hussein Albaddad described the project as a landmark investment in Botswana’s future economic development.

“We are proud to partner with Botswana Development Corporation on a project of this significance. New Botswana City is designed to create opportunities, attract investment, generate employment, and strengthen Botswana’s position within the regional and global economy,” he said.

“It is the gateway to Africa’s trade future and a landmark legacy built in Botswana, made for the world.”

Albaddad added that the true success of the project would be measured by the opportunities it creates for local communities and businesses.

“The true measure of this project will not be the buildings we construct but the opportunities it creates. As the development grows, it will generate employment, support local businesses, attract international investment, and create new pathways for growth across multiple sectors of the economy,” he said.

Oteng Keabetswe, Managing Director of Botswana Development Corporation, noted that the project’s long-term value extends beyond financial returns.

“For BDC, this project is about converting a strategic national asset into participation, economic activity, and measurable value for Botswana. The broader return must come through jobs, procurement, skills transfer, tax revenues, tourism receipts, business activity, and value retained within Botswana,” he said.

Beyond its physical infrastructure, the convention centre is expected to host a year-round calendar of international exhibitions and business events, generating recurring economic activity and helping establish Botswana as a destination for global trade and investment engagement.

Founded in the UAE in 1971, ALBADDAD has grown into a global enterprise operating in more than 50 markets with a workforce exceeding 7,000 employees. The company has played a key role in major international projects and events, including COP28 Dubai and GITEX Africa, while operating prominent venues such as the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Convention Center.

With manufacturing facilities covering approximately 1.5 million square metres and multiple Guinness World Records to its name, ALBADDAD continues to expand its global footprint through large-scale infrastructure and destination development projects.

For New Botswana City, the company will oversee the project’s entire lifecycle—from master planning and development to construction, activation, and long-term operations—leveraging its global network of exhibitors, investors, event organizers, and corporate partners to support the destination’s continued growth and success.