SA seeks increased presence of Botswana companies
Spira Tlhankane | Monday May 25, 2026 06:00
Speaking at the ministers’ session of the 6th Botswana/South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) this week, Lamola indicated that many South African companies and private-sector entities have significant investments in Botswana and would like the same in SA. “We thank the government and people of Botswana for creating opportunities and space for our companies. In the same spirit, increased bilateral trade and investment will go a long way towards enhancing our industrialisation objectives, expanding our economies and strengthening bilateral and regional value chains. Through these efforts, more employment opportunities will become available for our people,” Lamola said.
Lamola also revealed that enormous opportunities also exist in infrastructure development and that South Africa’s development finance institutions, such as the Development Bank of Southern Africa and the Industrial Development Corporation, continue to engage with Batswana partners on exciting and impactful priority projects in transport corridors, water resource management and other areas.
He further applauded Botswana for its plans to establish a One-Stop Border Post at Tlokweng/Kopfontein, primarily to ease congestion and facilitate the smoother movement of trade. Lamola said as the two neighbouring countries build cross-border and regional corridors, the sharing of technical expertise, capacity and plans will also be essential.
Lamola also highlighted that South Africa is a major trade and investment partner of Botswana; therefore, Botswana’s market is a major recipient of South African products, particularly in the agricultural sector. “While we are committed to seeing this grow, we also recognise that Botswana is developing its own agricultural base. Our interests in this sector are complementary. They are not mutually exclusive, nor are they in competition or contradiction. We commend Botswana for the rollout and implementation of its National Development Plan 12, which places strong emphasis on economic diversification, export-led growth and job creation,” he added.
For his part, the Minister of International Relations Dr. Phenyo Butale, said that the strong and enduring bilateral relations between the two countries continue to provide the firm foundation upon which constructive engagement at regional and multilateral fora is anchored. Butale added that this enduring partnership enables them to advance common positions on matters of mutual interest and to contribute meaningfully to regional integration, peace, stability, and the broader global development agenda.
He noted that although the last Session of the Bi-National Commission was held in April 2022, Botswana and South Africa continue to enjoy warm and strong relations, as evidenced by sustained high-level exchanges and numerous engagements on matters of mutual interest. “I note with satisfaction progress achieved across a number of strategic sectors, including Diplomacy, Legal Affairs, Home Affairs, Defence, Agriculture, Trade, Health, and Transport. These achievements demonstrate that, notwithstanding challenges in the implementation of certain decisions, the Bi-National Commission remains functional, responsive, and capable of delivering tangible outcomes for our peoples,” Butale further noted. Butale indicated that to sustain and build upon this momentum, all implementing agencies must continue to engage proactively and collaboratively to resolve outstanding issues.