05 Oct 2026

The transformation of Maun into a world-class tourism city is possible while preserving its unique ecological heritage, director of business services at Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), Mr Moemedi Mokgosi has said.  Mr Mokgosi underscored the need to protect natural capital while building export-ready green enterprises.

He made the remarks at the recently concluded three-day Maun Trade Expo, noting that BITC had identified significant export opportunities in the area, particularly as tourism was already exporting services globally.

Mr Mokgosi said Maun needed a strong economic ecosystem that looked beyond tourism, highlighting its potential in mining, aquaculture, aviation and hospitality.

He said, most importantly, the creative industry had to be embedded in the ecosystem.

On the industrial side, he said BITC was seeing another engine of growth emerging through copper mining activities associated with the Khoemacau project in the region.

He urged local entrepreneurs to take advantage of mining activities, particularly by positioning themselves through citizen economic empowerment programmes to build local supply chains around the mine.

He said there were opportunities in accommodation and service provision, adding that BITC wanted to see more businesses from the region participate in economic growth.

Mr Mokgosi also cited local artist Ms Shakunona Parata as an example of the region’s potential, noting that she showcased Ngamiland’s centuries-old basketry at the prestigious Homo Faber 2026 exhibition in Venice, Italy.

He said Ms Parata demonstrated what the region was capable of achieving in the arts and crafts sector, describing her participation on the global stage as an achievement for the country.

“This is a tradition that has been practised for a long time and passed from generation to generation among our local women using local resources. As we talk sustainability, this is where we build resilience and let us continue to build the name Okavango by producing more products that we can take to the world,” he said.

Mr Mokgosi said basketry was one of the industries BITC had supported in accessing lucrative international markets, citing the export of some baskets to the United States of America.

He said his office, which covered areas beyond Francistown, including Maun, was working with 25 accredited companies in the region, predominantly in tourism, transport and aviation, while others were involved in manufacturing, arts and crafts and mining operations.

He said BITC aimed to accredit more companies and expose them not only to local value addition opportunities but also to international markets.

He added that Botswana needed more export-ready companies to take advantage of opportunities outside Maun and the country as they competed in the regional and international markets.

While welcoming Maun’s ambition to become a green hub, Mr Mokgosi said BITC had recently launched the Green Mark as a potential tool to strengthen Botswana’s attractiveness as a destination for sustainable investment.

He encouraged companies to take advantage of the initiative. The Green Mark recognises businesses, organisations, projects and initiatives that actively contribute to a more sustainable Botswana.

Mr Mokgosi said companies should be compliant with environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, adding that BITC supported companies using the mark through its #PushaBW programme, aimed to increase consumption, visibility and market uptake of locally produced goods and services. ENDS