The Botswana National Informal Sector Recovery Plan was developed in response to the outbreak of COVID-19. Its primary objective is to support the recovery of the informal sector in the short to medium term, while also enabling businesses to build resilience against future shocks beyond the pandemic1.
The informal sector plays a crucial role in Botswana’s economy, contributing approximately 5.3% to the GDP. However, during the first nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19, over half of the informal sector workers were unable to earn any income.
The plan is anchored on two strategic goals, one is Establishment of Informal Sector Facilitation Structures Within the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and the other is Economic Revitalization of the Informal Sector.
The development of the Informal Sector Recovery Plan involved extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including representative associations from the informal sector. The plan aims to address the challenges faced by informal sector businesses and create sustainable measures for overcoming similar shocks in the future.
The plan recognizes the importance of the informal sector and seeks to provide mechanisms for businesses to respond to the effects of COVID-19 while building resilience for the future. It’s a critical step toward ensuring the well-being and economic stability of those engaged in the informal sector.
Explore further
