In July 2017 the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) president Ndaba Gaolathe and five other members of the party's executive were expelled from the party.[3] As a result, Gaolathe set up a new leadership committee, which was later transformed into a breakaway party, the Alliance for Progressives. The new party was formally established on 28 October 2017 with Gaolathe as leader and Wynter Mmolotsi as deputy president.[4] Six sitting MPs joined the party, although Haskins Nkaigwa later returned to the UDC,[5] leaving it with five seats going into the 2019 general elections.[6]
The party joined the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) alliance ahead of the 2024 general elections. Although the party only marginally increased its vote share to 6%, it won six seats, with the UDC securing a majority in the National Assembly.
