30 Oct 2025

Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Phenyo Butale, says the relationship between Botswana and Türkiye  is driven by shared values and mutual interests.

Dr Butale also expressed Botswana’s appreciation for its ongoing collaboration with Türkiye and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to deepening cooperation across various sectors to benefit both nations.

“The bond between Botswana and Türkiye is built on common goals and a strong foundation of mutual respect.We value our partnership and are dedicated to working together to achieve shared progress, Dr Butale said.

Speaking during Türkiye’s 102nd anniversary celebrations in Gaborone on Wednesday, Dr Butale said the recent bilateral agreements signed between the two countries, including the Visa Waiver Agreement for Diplomatic,

Official, Service and Special Passports, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Political Consultations, and the Double Taxation Agreement would  facilitate smooth travel for officials, promote economic collaboration and Turkish investment.

“This will also encourage deeper cultural understanding through increased people-to-people exchanges between our countries. Ultimately, this will be supported by Botswana opening an Embassy in Ankara,” he said.

He further commended Türkiye’s continued support to Botswana, highlighting  the provision of scholarships for Batswana students, humanitarian equipment donated in May 2025 to aid disaster response, and funding to train 50 small-scale horticulture farmers under the project Empowering Small-Scale Horticulture Farmers through Climate-Resilient Practices and Equipment Support.

He said the agricultural funding would strengthen the agricultural sector and ultimately enhance the country’s food security.

For his part, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Botswana, Mr Ahmet Ä°dem Akay, said the past year had seen notable developments in bilateral relations, adding that Türkiye stood ready to strengthen cooperation across all sectors on the basis of mutual partnership and benefit.

“Türkiye is here to collaborate with Botswana in over-coming the challenges she faces,” Mr Akay said.

Mr Akay highlighted that the Embassy, together with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TÄ°KA), provided equipment worth P318,000 to support small-scale horticulture farmers in Shakawe.

In addition, he said, through the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), materials worth P270 000 including generators, gas heaters, tents, sleeping bags and stretchers were donated following flood disasters experienced in February.

He also said several Turkish companies in sectors such as construction, mining and tourism had shown interest in Botswana, with one of them, Eksen Construction, signing an MoU with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure on the Mosetse–Kazungula–Livingstone Railway Project.

On education, Mr Akay said nine Batswana were awarded Türkiye Scholarships this year, with six currently studying in Türkiye. He noted that 33 Batswana students had benefited from the programme since its inception 13 years ago.

He added that Türkiye continued to promote cultural exchange through events such as the Turkish Cuisine Week luncheon and Ramadan celebrations aimed at bringing Turkish and Batswana culture closer together. ENDS