30 Oct 2026

The 2026 Botswana-China Friendship Evening, scheduled for October 31 at the Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC), will provide an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations through business networking, cultural exchange and dialogue on opportunities arising from President Advocate Duma Boko’s recent state visit to China.

Addressing a press conference in Gaborone on Tuesday, Botswana China Friendship Association (BOCFA) executive chairman, Mr Miles Nan, said the event would bring together representatives from government, the diplomatic community, business, education and the creative industries from Botswana and China.

Organised by BOCFA in collaboration with Business Botswana, the event would provide an opportunity to follow up on the state visit and ensure that agreements and opportunities arising from it translated into tangible achievements, he said.

Mr Nan, who is also the Presidential Envoy and Special Adviser to the President on Trade and Investment in China and Asia Pacific, said the state visit had opened numerous opportunities for both countries in the political and business spheres.

He said the visit should not end with paperwork, signed agreements, handshakes and a state banquet, but should mark the beginning of practical cooperation.

“We can’t just stop like that. This is just the beginning. There is a need to follow the MoUs to make achievements,” he said.

Mr Nan said the Friendship Evening was intended to strengthen partnerships among businesses, institutions, professionals and communities from both countries while promoting cultural understanding and practical cooperation.

Culture would also feature prominently, with a group of 50 traditional cultural performers from China expected to join their Botswana counterparts for performances and cultural exchange.

Mr Nan said the Minister of Sport and Arts, Mr Jacob Kelebeng, had supported the event and its objectives. He expressed optimism that the Friendship Evening would help sustain the momentum in bilateral relations following the state visit.

Meanwhile, Business Botswana chief executive officer, Ms Tumi Mbaakanyi, said Botswana-China relations should move beyond diplomatic goodwill towards practical, commercially viable partnerships.

“China is an important partner in Botswana’s economic diversification and investment efforts, with mining and its entire value chain, manufacturing and industrial development identified as key areas for collaboration,” she said.

Ms Mbaakanyi said Botswana faced high unemployment and needed to encourage businesses to engage in value-added activities, adding that China's manufacturing equipment and technical expertise presented opportunities for local industries.

Other potential areas of collaboration included agriculture and agro-processing, tourism, logistics and infrastructure, as well as technology and innovation.

She said Business Botswana was committed to facilitating stronger commercial relations between the two countries through business-to-business engagements, joint ventures, investment and market linkages.

Ms Mbaakanyi said the Friendship Evening would provide a platform for forging meaningful business partnerships, attracting investment, creating jobs, expanding market opportunities and promoting shared prosperity. END