By Simon Nare
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for deeper cooperation with Botswana in mining, agriculture, electricity and energy, urging leaders gathered at the sixth session of the Bi-National Commission to identify new opportunities for bilateral growth.
Opening the session in Gaborone on Wednesday, Ramaphosa said the commission remained a key platform for aligning the interests of the two neighbouring countries, strengthening existing partnerships and expanding cooperation into new sectors.
Ramaphosa, accompanied by a delegation of South African ministers, met with Botswana President Duma Boko and his cabinet counterparts.
He said there were strategic opportunities to expand bilateral trade and investment while ensuring trade between the two countries became more balanced.
South Africa, he said, wanted to import a greater diversity of products from Botswana, while several South African companies were keen to expand investments in Botswana to create jobs, transfer skills and contribute to revenue generation.
Ramaphosa also raised concerns over Botswana’s ban on fresh vegetable imports from South Africa, saying the challenges that led to the restrictions needed to be addressed.
Botswana imposed the ban in 2022 as part of efforts to boost domestic agricultural production and food self-sufficiency. However, the restrictions reportedly contributed to rising fresh produce prices as local farmers struggled to meet demand.
The ban affects products including potatoes, tomatoes, onions, cabbage, beetroot, butternut, carrots, lettuce, garlic, ginger and sweet red pepper.
Ramaphosa said South Africa’s agricultural sector wanted to support Botswana’s food security ambitions and proposed renewed engagement on the matter.
“Among other things, we need to address the challenges which led to the imposition of import restrictions on agricultural products from South Africa. We should direct our Ministers of Agriculture and Trade to develop proposals on resolving these challenges and submit these by December 2026,” he said.
The president also highlighted the importance of mineral beneficiation, saying South Africa and Botswana should process more of their strategic minerals locally instead of exporting raw resources.
“Some of these minerals are key components in the manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles and more powerful computer microchips. They are vital for the development of the green energy and digital economies,” Ramaphosa said.
“As owners of these minerals, we should beneficiate these products ourselves, creating opportunities for our peoples. Botswana is leading the way by refining and polishing your diamonds in the country.”
Botswana remains one of the world’s leading diamond producers but has increasingly prioritised the development of copper, manganese and nickel following a downturn in the global diamond market.
Ramaphosa said continued cooperation in energy was critical to supporting industrialisation and economic growth in both countries.
He called for collaboration on electricity access, petroleum resources, coal and renewable energy investment to diversify the regional energy mix.
The president also commended Botswana’s 12th National Development Plan, which focuses on economic diversification and export-driven, private sector-led growth.
“We follow with keen interest your commitment to the development of several Special Economic Zones, which will attract the necessary foreign direct investment, expand your economy, create more jobs for your people and sharpen competitiveness,” he said.
“You will find ready and reliable partners from South Africa as these zones gain traction.”
Ramaphosa also addressed migration and recent anti-immigration protests in South Africa, saying the issue reflected broader socio-economic pressures facing the continent.
“This phenomenon has intersected with economic hardship and unemployment experienced by many of our people, contributing to tensions between some local communities and foreign nationals,” he said.
He added that South Africa welcomed regional and continental dialogue on migration challenges.
Botswana President Duma Boko described the South African delegation’s visit as a reaffirmation of the strong relationship between the two countries.
“Botswana and South Africa share far more than a common border. We are bound by a shared history, deep cultural affinity, intertwined economy, and a collective aspiration for prosperity and dignity for our people,” Boko said.
