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The University of Botswana (UB)’s newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Public Enterprises Evaluation and Privatisation Agency (PEEPA) is envisaged to anchor the next phase of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) reform, positioning them as instruments of economic transformation.

Signed on the 6th of October 2026 at the UB Council Chambers, the MoU establishes a framework for PEEPA and UB to develop data-driven interventions in support of the SOE reform agenda which PEEPA is mandated by statute to steer.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Acting Vice Chancellor Mr Dawid Katzke said the MoU marked an important step in bringing together academic expertise and practical experience in public enterprise reform. He said the two (2) institutions shared a commitment to strengthening Botswana’s development through sound evidence, effective governance, innovation and capable leadership.

“Public enterprises play a significant role in our economy and in providing services that affect people’s daily lives. Improving their performance requires careful analysis, informed decisions and a clear understanding of both the economic and social consequences of reform,” said Mr Katzke.

Mr Katzke said PEEPA brought extensive experience in public enterprise evaluation, transformation and corporate governance as well as insight into the challenges facing SOEs. UB, he said, brought multidisciplinary research expertise, academic talent, institutional resources and opportunities for learning and innovation that could be leveraged for greater impact.

By combining their strengths, he said, the two institutions could develop research and practical tools to support data-driven decision-making, strengthen institutions and improve public service delivery.

Meanwhile, Acting PEEPA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ishmael Joseph, said the partnership had the potential to improve research outcomes that would inform the SOE reform agenda. He said the MoU came at an opportune time particularly as the Vice President and Minister of Finance, Hon Ndaba Gaolathe, had initiated consultations on a new SOE policy aimed at addressing inefficiencies within state-owned enterprises.

Mr Joseph said PEEPA brought its reform agenda to the partnership while UB contributed academic rigour and research capabilities, making the two (2) institutions natural partners.

“By combining our efforts, we believe that we are here for a purpose which is to advance the SOE mandate,” he said.

He added that the collaboration would focus largely on joint research, commercialisation, rationalisation, restructuring and, where necessary, privatisation of SOEs. He stressed that the partnership extended beyond the two (2) institutions and called for its effective implementation.

Mr Joseph said the collaboration represented an opportunity to advance SOE reforms and contribute to the next frontier of Botswana’s economic growth.

The MoU comes amid ongoing government efforts to improve the performance of state-owned enterprises and ensure that they contribute more meaningfully to socio-economic transformation. SOE reform has featured prominently in the government’s economic transformation agenda, with renewed consultations on the policy framework underway.

Through the partnership, PEEPA will leverage UB’s research capacity and multidisciplinary expertise to strengthen the evidence base for SOE reform while UB will gain greater opportunities to translate academic research into practical interventions in public enterprise governance and transformation.

Established to advise Government on the evaluation, commercialisation, restructuring, privatisation and overall effectiveness of public enterprises, PEEPA will look to the partnership to support the implementation of its reform mandate.