29 Jun 2025

Government cannot build the economy alone as it need responsible, solution oriented private sector who understands that progress must be felt in people’s lives their skills and in their communities.

“That is what makes this expo so significant. 

The products and innovations we see today are not just displays of commerce, they are displays of creativity, of potential and of pride in what Batswana can offer when given the opportunity,” said the Minister for State President, Mr Moeti Mohwasa in his  keynote address at the second Annual Okavango Wilderness Safaris Local Suppliers’ Expo in Maun on Thursday

He appreciated that the expo was founded on the need to develop value chains within the tourism sector, which would see an increase in the number of local suppliers being developed and engaged to provide a significant portion of goods and services required by the tourism sector.

Mr Mohwasa hailed Wilderness for nurturing communities, the entrepreneurs and the ecosystem that supported it, saying its consistency and commitment served as an encouragement, not only to their peers in tourism but to all industries across the economy.

The minister described Wildness’s initiative as well-curated, inclusive and forward-looking, noting that the continued success of the expo spoke to the values that Wilderness holds, values shared as a nation, empowerment, sustainability, and progress with purpose.

The government, he said remained resolute in creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, adding that through Vision 2036 and National Development Plan 11, they were driving reforms to simplify business processes, improve infrastructure and attract sustainable investment.

Furthermore, the minister highlighted that tourism was one of the most strategic pillars of Botswana’s economic architecture citing that it contributed meaningfully to Gross Domestic Product, created employment, especially in rural areas and reinforced the global reputation as an epitome of conservation.

“And in this space, Wilderness has stood out, not just for the scale of its operations but for the depth of its impact. 

Through your extensive network of camps and lodges, you employ 923 with 98 per cent of your workforce being Batswana, many from the very communities surrounding your pristine camps. 

That is localisation in practice”.

Beyond jobs, Mr Mohwasa applauded Wilderness for helping shape something far greater citing dignity, capacity, ownership, noting that such was why their citizen-focused approach was rooted in a strong impact model.

Last year, he said the expo hosted 110 local vendors, resulting in over P6.2 million in new contracts to citizen-owned businesses rising to over P8 million this year alone even before the expo.

“This is an increasing component of the P292 million per year procurement from Botswana registered businesses some of whom were also already citizen owned already”.

Wilderness board chairperson, Mr Kabelo Binns said that when they hosted the inaugural local supplier expo last year, they did so with a clear ambition to create a transparent, purposeful platform that could help reshape the way citizen-owned enterprises engaged in the tourism industry.

The results, he said were humbling and inspiring citing that over 100 citizen-led vendors participated and they saw immediate and meaningful impact, with over P6.2 million in contracts awarded to local businesses within the first year.

“And by the end of 2025, we will cross the P8 million mark creating sustained economic activity and employment for fellow Batswana. 

These were not once-off purchases but were strategic engagements and today, many of those businesses are now part of our long-term value chain,” said Mr Binns.

He cited Okavango Essence, a citizen and women-owned business based in Maun saying what began as a pitch evolved into a full-fledged partnership with their all-natural products to ultimately feature across 14 Wilderness camps across Botswana. ENDS