Forum to position Chobe region as agro-processing destination
Larona Makhaiza | Wednesday March 11, 2026 09:27
Last week, the Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA) unveiled the Chobe Connect 2026 which officials said will aid in accelerating the development of one of Botswana’s most strategically positioned regions. SEZA CEO, Tapiwa Masie, said the initiative was conceived as a strategic platform to bring together technocrats, investors, financiers and industry players to accelerate economic activity in the region. “Chobe Connect was conceived as a strategic forum that intends to bring together government, policymakers, investors, industry leaders, financiers, development partners and other critical stakeholders that will assist us to accelerate the development of one of Botswana’s most strategically positioned regions, and that is the Chobe region,” she said at the launch.
According to Masie, the forum will particularly spotlight opportunities within the Pandamatenga Special Economic Zone---an agricultural focused investment hub designed to drive large scale production and agro-processing. She explained that the initiative will showcase agribusiness opportunities while encouraging investors to move beyond primary production into value addition. “We are promoting large scale grain and oil seed production. We want to move from the farm now to a final product that we can export from Botswana.” “We are promoting agro-processing industries to say we have the sorghum, we have the wheat, we have the beans, we have the chickpeas that are growing, and we know that Pandamatenga is the breadbasket of the economy,” the CEO added. Additionally, she noted that processing agricultural commodities locally would create employment opportunities and increase Botswana’s export competitiveness. Masie highlighted that the region enjoys a strategic advantage due to its location along the Kazungula trade corridor, which links Botswana with Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe, making it an ideal logistics and trade gateway. “Chobe has unique advantages. It is located at the heart of the Kazungula corridor, which is a gateway to the broader southern market.
It also allows for cross-border connectivity and has significant agricultural potential,” she said. Another key focus of the forum will be the redevelopment of Kasane and Kazungula into a modern trade and tourism hub. The initiative is expected to leverage the recently commissioned Kazungula Bridge, which connects Botswana and Zambia and has become a major regional logistics route. Masie said government plans include urban renewal initiatives and the creation of a joint economic zone around the bridge to stimulate investment and economic activity. “Chobe Connect seeks to bridge ideas, investment opportunities and implementation to ensure that projects can move from concept to bankability and finally to execution,” she said. The forum will also explore financing solutions for major projects, including blended finance models, public-private partnerships and venture funding. Masie noted that the partnership with First National Bank Botswana will play a critical role in supporting investors through financial solutions tailored for large-scale projects.
“We want this conference to produce tangible results. By the end of Chobe Connect we expect a refined pipeline of bankable projects, signed MOUs and stronger collaboration between government, the private sector and financiers,” she said. She added that the initiative aligns with Botswana’s broader economic diversification agenda and aims to strengthen investor confidence in the country as a competitive investment destination. The conference will be held on March 30 to 31 in Kasane.