The Presidents of Botswana and Namibia have reaffirmed their countries’ joint bid to host AFCON 2027.

Drs Mokgweetsi Masisi and Hage Geingob met on the side-lines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting held here yesterday.

When thanking Dr Geingob for agreeing to jointly bid,President Masisi said Botswana was determined to meet all the requirements for the bid.

That included ensuring the bid was budgeted for in the next national development plan, he said.

“This has been made public to Batswana and we cannot wait to host AFCON. I have delegated our minister to work with his Namibia counterpart and to engage more frequently,” he said.

President Masisi said the tourism offering by the two countries and Botswana’s diamond story should form part of the bid.

“We should realise long lasting returns beyond the actual contest. So let us accommodate those who would want to watch football, so that our people can benefit from this event,” he said.

To that end, he instructed various ministers to develop supportive instruments whose synchronisation they should ensure before they could be sanctioned nationally, with a view to expediting implementation.

This was particularly important as Botswana was preparing for general elections in 2024, and it was crucial that AFCON issues should be settled before then.

On bilateralism Dr Masisi said it was important for the two countries to create a seamless working relationship, adding he was resolved to take the lead in perpetuation of their excellent relations.

Utilisation of Botswana’s Walvis Bay Port was now in full swing, with usage likely to grow, he said.

“We will ensure we evacuate some of our mineral products particularly from the Copper Belt through Walvis Bay, hence there is a need to build more transport infrastructure,” he said

In that regard, the two countries should consider encouraging, then engaging the private sector to partner with their governments.

For his part President Geingob thanked Dr Masisi for the meeting. Besides  reaffirming Namibia’s commitment to the joint bid he appreciated the warm relations between the two countries.ENDS