Botswana and Zimbabwe seal waste management deal
09 Oct 2026
President Advocate Duma Boko has called for faster implementation of government initiatives, saying Botswana must shorten the time between conception and delivery, as the country signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zimbabwe on waste management on Thursday.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Gaborone, President Boko expressed concern over delays in concluding the agreement, which was expected to pave the way for Zimbabwean waste management company Geo Pomona to bring its expertise to Botswana and share skills in solid waste management.
He said the signing marked the beginning of further engagements that would culminate in contracts and technical agreements to facilitate the company’s operations in Botswana.
Geo Pomona Waste Management chief executive officer, Dr Dilesh Nguwaya who also serves as special adviser on waste management and environmental sustainability to Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa, said the agreement offered an opportunity for the two countries to turn waste management challenges into economic and environmental opportunities.
He said the partnership would combine Botswana government leadership with Geo Pomona’s operational experience to strengthen local authorities, develop integrated waste management systems and build local capacity through skills transfer.
The CEO said implementation would be key to the partnership’s success, calling for joint implementation teams, measurable priorities and the mobilisation of investment and technology.
He added that the initiative could create green jobs, improve public health and promote environmental sustainability, while strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
He further said that the agreement aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those relating to sustainable cities, responsible consumption and production, climate action and global partnerships.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs acting permanent secretary, Ms Tshepo Kebakile said Botswana would draw lessons from Geo Pomona’s waste management operations in Harare, where the company had cleared landfills and rehabilitated sites, some of which had since been converted into sports grounds.
Ms Kebakile said technical committees would now determine the scope of work before contracts could be signed, adding that implementation could be phased depending on available financial resources and the economic opportunities presented by individual landfills.
She said the committees would identify priority sites and establish the extent of work to be undertaken, taking into account the country’s financial constraints.
Ms Kebakile said the initiative was expected to improve public health by reducing waste-related disease risks, while making rehabilitated land available for productive use, including government projects, private investment and other developments.
She added that the project was also expected to create employment, although the number of jobs would depend on the scope of work agreed upon by the parties. ENDS
Source : BOPA
Author : Ndingililo Gaoswediwe
Location : Gaborone
Event : Signing of MoU
Date : 09 Oct 2026
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