24 Mar 2026

Botswana is positioning itself as a prime destination for Canadian investment, particularly in mining and renewable energy, as it seeks to diversify its economy and strengthen international trade partnerships.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse, said during a visit by the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to his office recently that Botswana offered vast opportunities for collaboration in trade and economic growth.

He noted that Botswana’s mining sector, backbone of the economy for long, continued to present significant investment potential. The country, he said was endowed with abundant natural resources, including diamonds, iron ore, copper and coal, alongside emerging opportunities in critical minerals.

Mr Keorapetse highlighted that several Canadian companies, including Lucara Diamond Corp, Giyani Metals Corp, NexMetals Mining Corp and Premium Nickel Resources Ltd, had traded with Botswana, demonstrating the strength of existing bilateral trade ties and the potential for further growth.

Beyond mining, he said Botswana also targeted renewable energy development. With abundant sunlight throughout the year, the country presents a compelling case for solar energy investment as it works toward reducing its carbon footprint.

The Speaker also pointed to opportunities in tourism, noting that about 40 per cent of Botswana’s land was designated as wildlife management areas. He cited the Okavango Delta, the world’s largest inland delta, as a key natural asset with significant potential to attract more international investors and visitors.

Furthermore, he said Botswana was taking steps to modernise governance, including the digitisation of Parliament, and emphasised the importance of strengthening the capacity of legislators to effectively oversee the executive. He added that efforts were underway to develop a Parliament Act aimed at ensuring institutional autonomy.

Leader of the Canadian delegation, Mr Jamie Schmale, said Canada was keen to deepen collaboration with Botswana, particularly in mining, where there was interest and potential across Africa. He also identified agriculture as another key area for cooperation, stressing that food security remained fundamental to national development.

For his part, Canada’s High Commissioner to Botswana, Mr Adler Aristilde, said the country was eager to expand trade diversification efforts and strengthen bilateral relations. BOPA