Something big is brewing in the Delta
Mbongeni Mguni - Brilliant Kodie | Tuesday October 14, 2025 06:00
Okavango Brewery Company story is one of “out of the box” thinking and finding homegrown solutions for stubborn problems. In a region where elephants and farmers clash for livelihoods, Okavango Craft is “solving for success,” reaching out to both farmers and the conservation efforts for the wildlife.
MMEGI: Please provide a brief background of Okavango Craft Brewery and its evolution into Okavango Brewing Company?
KODIE: Okavango Craft Brewery was born out of an unusual idea: that beer could become a tool for conservation and coexistence. In Botswana’s Eastern Panhandle, farmers live alongside elephants that follow ancient migration routes into the Okavango Delta. For many, a single night’s crop raid could erase a season’s work. Working with Ecoexist Trust, farmers began adapting, planting away from elephant corridors, mapping migration routes, and adopting conservation farming. These “elephant-aware farmers” were safeguarding both their livelihoods and the Delta’s connected ecosystem.But their extra effort needed a reward. That answer came in the form of millet, the resilient grain of the Delta. By purchasing surplus millet at above-market prices and brewing it into beer, we created more than just a product; we built a unique value chain. Farmers gained immediate livelihood benefits, conservation gained allies, and a new kind of local economy took root: one of coexistence. From the beginning, it was never only about beer. It was about proving that business can keep the wild alive. As the brewery grew and matured, so did our vision. Okavango Craft Brewery evolved into Okavango Brewing Company, a stronger identity that reflects both our roots in community and conservation, and our ambition to stand as Botswana’s Beer of the Okavango.
MMEGI: What prompted the company's establishment, particularly given the presence of large beverage manufacturers in the industry and competition from imports?
KODIE: The company was founded to give Botswana a homegrown beer identity in an industry dominated by imports and large regional players. But beyond filling a gap on the shelf, our story began with a deeper purpose, to show that business itself can drive positive change. By paying a premium for surplus millet grown by elephant-aware farmers in Botswana’s Panhandle, we brew a product that tells a uniquely local story while creating livelihoods and rewarding conservation.
From the very beginning, the brewery set out to be more than a producer of beer. It was designed as an example of how nature-positive business can work in practice, proving that commercial success and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand, and that profit can be an engine for sustainability. In this way, Okavango Brewing Company demonstrates that Botswana can produce premium beers on par with global standards while also building pride, prosperity, and coexistence at home.
MMEGI: We are informed that the company ran into difficulties during the pandemic. May you share any details on this?
KODIE: Like many hospitality-linked businesses, the pandemic presented unprecedented challenges. With lockdowns and restrictions on gatherings, demand from bars, lodges, and restaurants slowed dramatically. At the same time, the tourism sector, which is key to Maun and the Delta region, came to a standstill, directly affecting our customer base. This period tested our resilience but also gave us time to reflect on our long-term strategy.
MMEGI: How has the company been able to revive and evolve into Okavango Brewing Company? Was there a capital injection, and if so, how much and from whom?
KODIE: The transition into Okavango Brewing Company has been both a revival and a reinvention. This was made possible through the commitment of our shareholders, whose priority is to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of the business. Their continued support has enabled us to strengthen our foundations, modernise our operations, and rebrand with clarity of purpose. As a privately held company, we remain focused on accountability to our shareholders and on building a business that can stand the test of time. Our emphasis has been on creating a stronger structure, securing the right partnerships, and positioning Okavango Brewing Company to compete confidently in both local and regional markets.
MMEGI: What production levels is the company looking at annually?
KODIE: We are not chasing mass production for its own sake. Our focus is on growing steadily, making sure the quality of our beer remains consistent, and that every brew carries the local story it was meant to tell. As demand increases, we are scaling up carefully so that growth doesn’t come at the expense of what makes us different. For us, expansion is about more than numbers. It is about building a brewery that supports the farmers who grow our millet, creates opportunities for local partners, and gives people in Botswana a product they can take pride in. That balance, between growth, quality, and community, is what guides how we think about production.
MMEGI: What distribution channels is the company looking to secure or has already secured?
KODIE: We are focused on solidifying our presence across Botswana by building strong relationships with the country’s hospitality sector, from the bars and lodges of Maun to hotels, safari camps, and restaurants nationwide. At the same time, we are exploring partnerships with major retailers and developing e-commerce solutions to make our beers more accessible to consumers wherever they are. But for us, distribution is not just about getting bottles on shelves; it’s about creating a story that travels with the beer. Our marketing efforts are rooted in local storytelling and in working with Botswana’s own creatives to showcase the spirit of the Okavango. We see this as a journey we are taking together with our customers, partners, and communities, growing the brand in a way that is authentic, inclusive, and proudly local.
MMEGI: How has the market response to the revived operation been thus far?
KODIE: The response has been very encouraging. Customers appreciate having a premium local beer brand that resonates with Botswana’s identity. Feedback from both the hospitality sector and individual consumers has shown us that there is an appetite for a proudly local product that can stand alongside international competitors.
MMEGI: What future plans does Okavango Brewing Company have?
KODIE: Our plans are guided by a simple but powerful intention: to prove that business can keep the wild alive. In the short term, this means expanding production and distribution so that more people across Botswana can share in a beer that tells their story. We also plan to introduce seasonal and speciality brews that celebrate our heritage and creativity. Long term, we envision Okavango Brewing Company becoming a regional leader, not only in craft beer, but in showing how the industry can work hand in hand with conservation and community. We aim to grow local employment, empower creative and agricultural value chains, and champion sustainability practices that honour the natural environment of the Okavango Delta. For us, success is not measured only in volume or reach, but in how well we can turn coexistence into opportunity, and pride into prosperity for Botswana.