The Bi-National Commission (BNC) continues to provide a valuable mechanism through which Botswana and South Africa should align interests, strengthen existing cooperation, identify new areas of cooperation and move relations to a higher level.

Speaking during the official opening of the Sixth Session of the BNC, South Africa President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa said there were strategic opportunities that should be pursued to expand bilateral trade and investment.

“We need to ensure that our trade is more balanced. South Africa wishes to attract a greater diversity of products from Botswana. A number of South African companies have expressed a desire to invest more in Botswana, creating more jobs, transferring skills and contributing to revenues of this country. We want to deepen cooperation in agriculture,” said Mr Ramaphosa.

President Ramaphosa said the South Africa’s agricultural sector wanted to be a partner as Botswana grew its own agricultural sector and consolidated its food security.

He said among other things, there was need to address the challenges that led to the imposition of import restrictions on agricultural products from South Africa.

“We should direct our ministers of agriculture and trade to develop proposals on resolving these challenges and submit these by December 2026,” added Mr Ramaphosa.

He commended Botswana for the implementation of the 12th National Development Plan, which he said was anchored on economic diversification and a transition towards more export oriented and private-sector driven growth.

“We follow with keen interest your commitment to the development of several Special Economic Zones, which will attract the necessary foreign direct investment, expand your economy, create more jobs for your people and sharpen competitiveness. You will find ready and reliable partners from South Africa as these zones gain traction,” he said.

Mr Ramaphosa said Botswana and South Africa were endowed with vast mineral resources, which were now the focus of intense global interest.

He said the minerals were key components in the manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles and more powerful computer microchips and were thus vital for the development of the green energy and digital economies.

“As owners of these minerals, we should beneficiate these products ourselves, creating opportunities for our peoples. Botswana is leading the way by refining and polishing your diamonds in the country,” he said.

President Ramaphosa said continued cooperation between South Africa and Botswana in energy was paramount if the two countries were to meet the energy needs of their people, develop productive sectors, power economies and drive industrialisation.

He said other critical ventures included the proposed Lesotho–Botswana Water Transfer Project and the Ramotswa Transboundary Aquifer.

Mr Ramaphosa said these initiatives would support water security into the future while enabling sustainable growth and development.

“We are not only interested in the passage of resources and goods between our countries. We need to work towards the seamless movement of our people in a predictable, coordinated and secure manner. We welcome Botswana’s plans to establish a One Stop Border Post at Tlokweng/Kopfontein Border. This will help reduce congestion at the border, facilitate trade and enhance the efficient movement of people and goods between our countries,” he said. ENDS