28 October 2026
Government is considering reviewing the existence of some state-owned enterprises (SOEs), including possible mergers, to reduce fiscal pressures, improve efficiency and strengthen returns on public investment.
Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Vice President, Dr Gape Kaboyakgosi, said this during consultations with young people in Selebi-Phikwe on the SOE Ownership Policy.
He said government had received proposals to merge certain entities, which would be assessed to determine whether consolidation could improve performance. Kaboyakgosi also said government intended to review SOE board appointments, with merit guiding the selection of members. He described the new policy as addressing key challenges affecting the performance of public enterprises.
Public Enterprises Evaluation and Privatisation Agency (PEEPA) Acting Chief Executive Officer Ishmael Joseph said government continues to provide substantial support to SOEs, despite low returns from many entities.
He warned that persistent underperformance, operational inefficiencies and reliance on public funding posed fiscal risks, particularly where enterprises failed to generate adequate returns on public investment.
The policy seeks to address outdated business models, weak competitiveness, limited innovation, overlapping mandates and governance challenges. Proposed measures include enforcing shareholder compacts, reviewing legislation, implementing rationalisation recommendations and addressing outstanding government debts.
Joseph said the reforms went beyond reducing government funding, emphasising stronger corporate governance, commercial discipline and accountability.
The reform agenda forms part of government’s broader efforts to strengthen fiscal discipline, improve value from public investment and support private-sector-led economic growth.
Source: BWgovernment Facebook page
