BITC to host FDI deal making forum
Pauline Dikuelo | Monday May 12, 2025 09:05
The conference will take place alongside Global Expo Botswana, scheduled for October 8–11, 2025, under the theme: 'Driving economic growth through investment, trade and enterprise development'.
Unlike traditional approaches focused solely on opportunity promotion, the Pula Investment Conference will adopt a project-based approach aimed at turning opportunities into bankable projects that are ready for investor scrutiny and funding. The platform is intended to facilitate deal-making, enable the uptake of local projects, and elevate Botswana’s profile as an attractive destination to invest, work, and live.
BITC’s Director of Investment Promotion, Cobra Molatlhegi, emphasised the critical need for external financing to support Botswana’s rich ecosystem of business ideas and development projects.
“Batswana have many great business ideas but often lack access to financing,” he told a press conference this week. “By attracting more international financiers, we can stimulate healthy competition, potentially lowering interest rates, and ultimately growing the economy.”
As part of the conference, BITC will profile private sector-led ventures and public sector projects for investor consideration and uptake. This will be done through a national roadshow which kicked off this week and will cover all corners of the country.
Throughout the conference, key sectors such as renewable energy, manufacturing, agribusiness and food security, tourism, and public infrastructure will be prominently featured. In a bid to foster tangible results, the forum will include dedicated deal rooms designed to accelerate decision-making, reduce due diligence timelines, and boost transparency in investment processes.
A central feature of the two-day event will be project pitch sessions, where developers and entrepreneurs will present viable projects to a targeted investor audience. These sessions aim to ignite interest and facilitate direct engagement with financiers.
The Pula Investment Conference will host delegates from strategic global investment markets including Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the United States, and Turkey, as BITC seeks to diversify Botswana’s investor base and expand its economic partnerships.
'By shifting focus from promoting opportunities to closing deals, BITC is setting a new standard for investment engagement in Botswana one that is inclusive, actionable, and tailored for results,' Molatlhegi said.
He further noted that BITC is expecting about 300 exhibitors from 15 participating countries to grace this year's Global Expo. This annual expo brings together industry leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers as well as innovators from across the world.
Over the years Global Expo has grown into a powerful platform showcasing opportunities in Botswana and connecting local businesses to global markets.