02 Jun 2026

Botswana and the European Union have reaffirmed their longstanding partnership and shared commitment to sustainable development.

Opening the 7th Botswana–European Union Partnership Dialogue held in Gaborone recently, Minister for International Relations, Dr Phenyo Butale, described the meeting as a reflection of the enduring relationship between Botswana and the EU, founded on shared principles of democracy, the rule of law and a common commitment to sustainable development.

He said EU had remained one of Botswana’s most strategic and enduring partners since the country’s early years of independence, with cooperation steadily evolving into a broad alliance that continued to deliver meaningful benefits for citizens.

Dr Butale stressed that the dialogue remained a vital platform for engagement, enabling both parties to review progress on EU-supported development initiatives, assess the impact of financial and technical assistance, identify areas requiring further attention and explore new opportunities for collaboration.

He expressed appreciation for the EU’s support in key sectors, including renewable energy, digital transformation, biodiversity conservation, capacity building, economic diversification and employment creation. He also acknowledged the additional regional assistance provided through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union.

Turning to the Multi-Annual Indicative Programme launched in November 2022, Dr Butale highlighted its focus on green transformation, economic diversification and job creation. He further welcomed the additional allocation of €8 million (about P124.9 billion) for the Green Value Chain Development for Job Creation Programme, signed in November 2025, which supports eco-tourism and horticultural value chains.

This year’s dialogue, he said, was particularly significant as it coincided with the programme’s mid-term review, a process that would guide the allocation of resources for the remainder of the implementation period up to 2027.

He also observed that the meeting took place shortly after the successful conclusion of the 11th Summit of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States Heads of State and Government, held in March in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

The outcomes of the summit, he said, had reinforced collective resolve under the Samoa Agreement framework and reaffirmed Botswana’s commitment to delivering tangible economic transformation for its people.

The minister further noted that the discussions were taking place against a backdrop of growing global uncertainty, marked by geopolitical tensions, volatile international markets and the continuing effects of climate change. These challenges, he said, underscored the importance of stronger cooperation, collective action and an unwavering commitment to multilateralism.

He urged participants to renew their commitment to deepening the partnership in ways that uplifted communities, empowered young people and promoted inclusive economic growth.

In her remarks, European Union Ambassador to Botswana and SADC, Ms Petra Pereyra, reiterated the EU’s commitment to strengthening its long-standing partnership with Botswana amid an increasingly uncertain global environment.

She said that this year marked several important milestones, including 45 years of EU-Botswana relations, a decade since the implementation of the EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), and

Botswana’s forthcoming 60th anniversary of independence. Congratulating Botswana on its achievements, Ms Pereyra described the country as a model of stability, democratic governance and steady development. She said the EU remained a reliable partner guided by mutual respect and shared values, while highlighting strong cooperation in trade, investment and economic diversification. ENDS