Namibia’s N$4.7m Afcon bid flop now under scrutiny in Botswana 

The government spent N$4.7 million on a failed bid to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) with Botswana.

The Botswana-Namibia (Bona) bid aimed to bring the continent’s top-24 national teams to the region, but ultimately collapsed.

The bid is now under investigation by Botswana’s parliament after reportedly costing its government P65 million (N$86 million).

Sources previously indicated that Namibia had spent over N$30 million on the bid.

However, at a press conference yesterday, the executive director of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts, and culture, Erastus Haitengela, said Namibia only spent N$4.7 million between 2022 and 2023 out of an allocated budget of N$31 million.

At least N$3.4 million was spent on operational costs, such as subsistence and travel (S&T) allowances, and a further N$1.2 million was paid to the Botswana government.

“Out of the total operational budget assigned to the bid technical committee of the total budget of N$31.5 million, Namibia’s 40% portion was N$12.6 million. The ministry spent N$3.4 million on operational expenses.

“The N$1.2 million was a commitment to the Botswana government towards the payment of facilities audit services carried out by a consultant,” he said.

Haitengela said the process of procuring the service of a lead consultant was assigned to the Botswana Sports Commission’s procurement unit, with a closing date of 13 March 2023.

A recommendation of the successful bidder to the respective accounting officers was also to be made on or before 31 March 2023.

“Due to factors beyond Namibia’s control, this process was not concluded in March 2023, which resulted in the Bidco team caught off guard by Confederation of Africa Football (CAF), with the announcement of 12 April 2023 that the bidding process of Afcon 2027 is officially open, and interested countries have 42 days from the date of announcement to submit their bids to CAF on 23 May 2023,” Haitengela said.

The Namibian government terminated the agreement in 2023.

RISING COSTS

Haitengela said in the process, Namibia’s share of the consultancy costs increased from the initially approved N$7.6 million to N$46.4 million – 40% of a newly proposed N$116 million budget – far exceeding the original N$19-million estimate.

Given this dramatic cost escalation, Haitengela said the ministry could not commit without the approval of the Cabinet and the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises, especially with only days remaining before the 20 April 2023 deadline to submit Namibia’s declaration of interest to CAF.
A facilities audit conducted from 31 January to 23 February 2023 further compounded concerns.

It estimated that Namibia would need N$4.8 billion to upgrade existing stadiums and training venues or build new ones to meet CAF standards.

Additionally, factoring in infrastructure upgrades such as airports, roads, hotels, information and technology, and broadcasting the total estimated cost to co-host Afcon 2027 rose to N$12 billion to be spent within three financial years.

CAF’s bid timeline, announced on 12 April 2023, added further pressure.

The deadlines required Namibia to submit its declaration of interest by 20 April 2023, receive hosting documents from CAF by 25 April, submit final bidding documents by 23 May, and undergo CAF inspection visits between 1 June and 15 July.

“Having taken all the above factors, the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service was left with no other option but to give notice of termination of the joint Afcon 2027 bid preparation memorandum of agreement with the Republic of Botswana,” said Haitengela.

PROBE

In February, Botswana’s 13th parliament, under the new administration, adopted a motion to investigate the controversial 2027 Afcon bid, which allegedly cost the government N$86 million.

The bid process came under scrutiny after claims surfaced that the bid book, produced by South African engineer Reuben Reddy, cost approximately N$86 million.

However, then minister of youth, gender, sport and culture Tumiso Rakgare dismissed these figures as exaggerated, saying the actual cost was N$54 million, according to Mmegi Online.

The bid was originally pursued under Namibia’s former president Hage Geingob and Botswana’s former president Mokgweetsi Masisi, who lost last year’s elections.

Now, the controversy has resurfaced under Botswana’s new administration led by president Duma Boko.

Arafat Khan, a member of parliament for Molepolole North, tabled a motion calling for a parliamentary investigation into how the bid was handled.

The motion proposed the establishment of a special select committee to examine the N$65-million bid process, assess whether the cost aligned with international standards, review the procurement process, and conduct a full audit of the tender.

Following extensive debates, Botswana’s parliament unanimously agreed across both ruling and opposition parties that the bid should be investigated.

Reports also surfaced online that Botswana’s Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime will be travelling to Namibia to investigate the issue.
Haitengela said they were not approached.

Anti-Corruption Commission director general Paulus Noa yesterday said the news has not reached his office.

Botswana’s Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime said it would respond today.

The bid was eventually won by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.