UAE-based Albaddad Holding has launched a US$1.9 billion mixed-use development project in Botswana’s capital, Gaborone, aimed at transforming the city into a regional hub for trade, tourism and international business, the company said.
The project, named New Botswana City, will be developed in partnership with the Botswana Development Corporation (BDC), the government’s main investment arm, and is expected to be delivered in three phases across a total area of 1.24 million square metres.
Albaddad, which specialises in modular construction, exhibition infrastructure and fast-track developments, said the initiative marks a major expansion of its footprint in Southern Africa and forms part of its global strategy to build large-scale commercial and events-driven urban centres.
The planned development includes 51 residential towers, 18 commercial and office buildings, and five international hotels, alongside a central boulevard district featuring retail, restaurants, entertainment venues and service facilities.
At the heart of the project will be the Albaddad Botswana Global Exhibition & Convention Centre, a 124,000-square-metre facility valued at US$292 million, which is expected to serve as the anchor for the first phase of construction.
Company officials said the broader city concept is designed to integrate living, working and commercial spaces into a single ecosystem intended to attract investment and stimulate continuous economic activity.
Once fully operational, the exhibition and convention centre alone is projected to generate between 25,000 and 37,500 direct and indirect jobs, spanning sectors including hospitality, retail, logistics, transport and professional services.
The project was officially launched at a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko, along with UAE and Botswana officials, including the UAE ambassador to South Africa and non-resident ambassador to Botswana.
President Boko said the project would ultimately be judged by the value it delivers to Botswana’s economy and citizens, stressing the importance of ensuring that foreign investment aligns with national development priorities.
He said the initiative should demonstrate how strategic land use and international capital can be structured to support long-term national development while respecting domestic economic goals.
Albaddad Chairman Dr Alfateen Hussein Albaddad described the project as a “gateway to Africa’s trade future,” adding that it is intended to strengthen Botswana’s position as a regional centre for investment, business tourism and commerce.
He said the development would help attract international capital, support entrepreneurship and strengthen Botswana’s small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector by creating new opportunities across multiple industries.
Botswana has in recent years sought to diversify its economy away from heavy reliance on diamonds, with policymakers increasingly encouraging investment in tourism, infrastructure, logistics and financial services.
The New Botswana City project is expected to contribute to that diversification drive by establishing a large-scale commercial and residential hub designed to host international exhibitions, conferences and business events.
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Analysts say such mega-developments reflect a growing trend of Gulf investment in African infrastructure and real estate, particularly in fast-growing urban centres where governments are seeking external financing to accelerate development.
However, they also note that the long-term success of such projects will depend on execution, demand sustainability and the ability to integrate with local economic ecosystems.
Construction timelines for the full project were not disclosed, but developers said work on the first phase, centred on the convention and exhibition centre, has already begun following the groundbreaking ceremony.
