28 Sep 2026

Government remains optimistic that Botswana and Mozambique will build on engagements between investment promotion agencies to ensure that opportunities in agriculture, energy, mining, tourism and infrastructure are successfully converted into viable partnerships and investments.

This was said by the then acting Minister for International Relations, Major General Pius Mokgware at the recent 9^th Botswana-Mozambique Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC), which concluded with a call for urgent implementation of decisions reached at its ministerial session to ensure that commitments were turned into tangible benefits for citizens.The ministerial session provided a vital platform for the two countries to reiterate their resolve to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, energy, security and infrastructure development, while reviewing bilateral relations and agreeing on measures to deepen ties.

Reviewing the outcomes of the session, Maj. Gen. Mokgware, indicated that the JPCC affirmed the depth and resilience of relations between the two countries.

“We have reviewed the progress made across broad areas of cooperation, taken stock of outstanding commitments, and identified practical measures through which we can further advance our bilateral partnership,” he said.

He noted that the commission had identified opportunities to deepen economic cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, agriculture, livestock, energy, mining, tourism, transport, and infrastructure. 

Such opportunities, he added, should be pursued with greater urgency and determination for the betterment of both nations, noting that the private sector must be brought closer to the centre of bilateral cooperation.

He said Botswana and Mozambique were also committed to taking stock of progress made in implementing decisions and commitments arising from previous sessions of the JPCC, including mid-term reviews.

Speaking during the closing ceremony, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for International Relations, Ambassador Thuso Ramodimoosi, stated that the two nations had also identified new and emerging areas of cooperation with the potential to add further value and impetus to the bilateral relationship.

He noted that recent deliberations underscored the importance of accelerating the implementation of concluded bilateral legal instruments. 

In that regard, he highlighted that joint implementation matrices would serve as an important mechanism for strengthening accountability and ensuring effective follow-up across all key areas of cooperation, adding that the commission had finalised the report on the proposed decisions and commitments of the 9^th Session in preparation for the ministerial segment.

“In keeping with our established tradition, Botswana stands ready to host the mid-term review of the 9^th Session in 2027. This will provide an important opportunity to take stock of progress in implementing the decisions and commitments agreed,” he said.

He further reaffirmed Botswana’s commitment to deepening and broadening the friendship between the two nations. BOPA