28 May 2025

Botswana is preparing to export its first consignment of beef worth over P50 million (US$4 million) to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) soon, marking a milestone in the country’s efforts to boost its livestock industry.  

The deal, signed recently, signals  a promising future for Botswana Meat Commission (BMC), which is expected to become a profitable enterprise by end of year. Speaking during a kgotla meeting in Ramotswa yesterday, President Advocate Duma Boko emphasised the importance of the achievement,  saying ‘BMC should be fully functional and profitable, and farmers should receive payments within five days of cattle sale. The President highlighted that BMC was among four state-owned enterprises (SEOs) expected to turn their fortunes around, alongside the Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB), Air Botswana, and Botswana Railways.

President Boko also addressed BAMB’s overdue payments, revealing that the board owed farmers approximately P536 million (US$40 million), which was expected to be cleared by the end of 2025.  He announced plans to introduce new, improved contractual arrangements to benefit local farmers further.

President underscored Botswana’s efforts to enhance mineral beneficiation. “We are looking at legal instruments to promote mineral beneficiation, including processing and exporting  polished diamonds,” President Boko explained.

He added that copper beneficiation was also on the agenda, as the country sought to maximise value from its mineral resources rather than relying solely on raw exports. The President also talked about  healthcare procurement reforms.

“The current system is costly and inefficient,” he said, saying that government planned to purchase medications directly from manufacturers to cut costs and eliminate middlemen. 

The move, he said aimed  to address issues related to medication expiration, theft, and malpractices, with the Central Medical Stores (CMS) to be phased out.

Infrastructure development was also a key focus during the meeting, where  President  Boko announced a partnership to develop a dual carriageway of international standards along the A1 highway at an estimated cost of P10 billion, under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

Additionally, he revealed plans to raise at least P8 billion (US$600 million ) by year-end, aiming to empower Batswana and eradicate poverty through independent funding sources separate from the Consolidated Funds.

For his part, Gamalete MP, Mr Boniface Mabeo appealed to the President to upgrade the Ramotswa-Taung road into a dual carriageway with stormwater drainage systems , as well as  to construct an alternative route to reduce congestion. He also called for extending the operating hours of the Botswana-South Africa border to benefit local businesses and residents.

Mr Mabeo highlighted the need for industry growth, urging government to facilitate investments in the constituency, which had ample land available. He also pointed out the urgent need to address water shortages, noting that P10 million Constituency Fund had  been spent on water reticulation projects, with further work still needed. The legislator also  proposed developing a stadium through a Public Private Partneship model to promote sports and community activities. ENDS