Botswana has enlisted the services of a United States-based consulting firm to help market and attract investors for an ambitious energy infrastructure programme worth nearly US$800 million (about P10.8 billion).
Documents seen by Sunday Standard which were recently filed with the United States Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) reveal that the Government of Botswana has engaged Fang Consulting LLC, a North Carolina-based and solely owned by American businessman Eric Li, to advance Botswana’s development and investment interests.
Reports indicate that Fang Consulting operates as a subcontractor for the Future Trends Group (FTG). FTG is an international growth acceleration organization led by Farzam Kamalabadi, who was appointed as a special envoy for international relations and economic development for Botswana by President Duma Boko in April 2025.
FARA Registration documents also show that Fang Consulting registered with FARA on January 15, 2026 as a foreign agent representing the Government of Botswana , identified Botswana as its foreign principal. The company stated that its business involves ‘consulting and looking for strategic partnerships’ and foreign investment opportunities.
‘As the Director of the Registrant, I will engage directly with U.S. government officials (including dfc and state Department staff) and congressional offices to advocate for U.S. investment in Botswana; I will also facilitate commercial and diplomatic meetings for the foreign principal to promote economic development and bilateral cooperation,’ Li states in his filing with FARA.
He added that; ‘I will engage in communications with U.S. Executive Branch officials (including the DFC and Department of State) and Legislative Branch staff to advocate for increased U.S. economic engagement with Botswana; I will disseminate information regarding investment opportunities in Botswana’s mining and energy sectors to encourage U.S. government support and financing for these projects, aiming to strengthen bilateral commercial ties.’
The filing comes as Botswana seeks billions in foreign capital to finance a sweeping energy expansion programme that includes solar farms, battery storage facilities, transmission networks and cross-border electricity interconnectors designed to turn the country from a net power importer into a regional energy exporter.
The documents accompanying Fang Consulting LLC filing with FARA and submitted by the Botswana Government show that at the centre of the lobbying effort is a portfolio of projects submitted alongside the FARA registration.
The proposal, prepared by the Government of Botswana through Ministry of Minerals and Energy, outlines eight major energy projects with a combined estimated cost of US$799.89 million, equivalent to approximately P10.8 billion at current exchange rates.
The largest component is a planned 1.5-gigawatt solar photovoltaic programme, which government says could eventually be expanded to 8GW depending on market demand. The project alone carries an estimated price tag of US$300 million and would be implemented through Independent Power Producers (IPPs) under long-term power purchase agreements with Botswana Power Corporation.
The government is also seeking US$200 million for a 500MW Battery Energy Storage System aimed at storing surplus renewable energy and stabilising the national grid.
Other projects include the Botswana-South Africa 400kV interconnector valued at US$150 million, the Botswana-Zambia interconnector worth US$50 million, the Morupule-Jindal transmission line estimated at US$49 million, and a further US$50 million earmarked for upgrades to the national transmission and substation network.
According to the proposal, Botswana currently has installed generation capacity consisting mainly of coal-fired power stations and diesel peaking plants, while demand continues to rise. Authorities also want renewable energy to account for up to 50 percent of the country’s energy mix by 2030.
The documents state that the projects would attract foreign direct investment, create jobs, improve energy reliability and position Botswana as a net exporter of electricity within the Southern African region.
The filing states that activities on behalf of Botswana could include emails, publications and press releases targeted at public officials, legislators and other audiences.
The proposal by Botswana notes that 1.5GW of solar projects are already under development and that the country intends to significantly increase renewable generation capacity over the coming years.
Officials envision a future where Botswana not only meets domestic electricity demand but exports power across the Southern African Power Pool through expanded transmission networks linking South Africa, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
The interconnector projects are specifically designed to strengthen regional energy trade while reducing the country’s vulnerability to supply disruptions.
On its website, FARA says Botswana currently has two active filings which reveal a split in the nature of principals.
‘The Government of Botswana has engaged Fang Consulting LLC for strategic consulting, indicating an interest in official-level guidance and advisory services within the U.S. sphere,’ sys FARA.
It further states that; ‘Separately, Duma Boko, identified as a political party figure, has retained Dickens and Madson Canada Inc. for lobbying, suggesting an effort by non-state actors or (political) figures to advance their interests in the U.S capitol,’ it says.