Botswana Innovation Fund and Scaler International launch the Scaler Botswana Innovation Programme, a 12-month initiative to support climate and digital technology startups.
The program, launched in Gaborone on March 10, will select 10 startups and connect them to a $150 million decarbonization fund aimed at scaling solutions in Southern Africa. It is part of Botswana's strategy to establish itself as a regional hub for climate and technology innovation.
The initiative comes as Southern African Development Community countries work towards universal electricity access by 2030. Despite progress, nearly half the region's population lacks reliable electricity, while about 59% of energy supply still comes from coal.
The program will support startups developing renewable energy solutions such as micro-grids, as well as digital technologies including fintech and artificial intelligence. Selected companies will receive advice, product development assistance and guidance on regulatory and commercial strategy.
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Startups that demonstrate growth potential can access capital from Scaler International's Africa Decarbonization Fund I, launched in partnership with Mergence Investments.
key takeaways
The launch of the Scalar Botswana Innovation Program reflects the growing focus on connecting early-stage innovation with large-scale climate financing in Africa. Energy access remains a structural challenge in Southern Africa, where a significant portion of the population lacks reliable electricity and energy systems are still heavily dependent on coal. By combining an accelerator program with access to a $150 million investment fund, Botswana is creating a pipeline that takes startups from concept to commercial deployment. This model addresses a critical gap in the African innovation ecosystem, where startups often struggle to transition from early-stage development to scalable infrastructure projects. The focus on technologies such as micro-grids and distributed energy is in line with regional priorities to expand access through decentralized solutions rather than relying solely on large-scale grid infrastructure. Integrating digital technologies such as AI and fintech into energy solutions also reflects the trend toward data-driven infrastructure management. The program's need for startups to establish a presence in Botswana supports the country's ambition to create local innovation hubs while attracting regional talent. As climate tech investment grows across Africa, initiatives combining incubation, technical assistance and capital access can play a key role in scaling up solutions that address energy, infrastructure and sustainability challenges.