Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship Botswana

𝐋𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐢-𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

The leadership of the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship led by the Assistant Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship Hon. Baratiwa Mathoothe today hosted a courtesy call from the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) and Henan Hi-Tech Kingdo, following productive engagements initiated yesterday. Discussions focused on a proposed joint venture to establish a biodiesel renewable energy plant at the Leather Park within the Special Economic Zone in Lobatse.

The landmark project is expected to significantly strengthen Botswana’s value chain by creating new opportunities for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), particularly in crop production, feedstock supply, collection, and other supporting services.

Beyond empowering local businesses, the venture is poised to create jobs, stimulate industrial growth, and advance Botswana’s economic diversification agenda. As a sustainable green energy initiative, the biodiesel plant will contribute to the country’s renewable energy ambitions while promoting technology and skills transfer. This will enhance the technical capabilities of Batswana, increase local participation in the green economy, and position Lobatse as an emerging hub for sustainable industrial development.

The investment underscores Botswana’s commitment to fostering strategic partnerships that drive innovation, create opportunities, and build a resilient, future-ready economy.

𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐢-𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭

The Henan Hi-Tech Kingdo has chosen Botswana as the preferred destination for a proposed biodiesel production plant, marking a significant step toward sustainable industrial development. The project is expected to be a joint venture between the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship through Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) and Henan Hi-Tech Kingdo.

During a courtesy call on the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Chief Executive Officer Professor Frank Lon stated that the company is ready to bring advanced technology from China to Botswana. He expressed confidence that the biodiesel project will drive environmental sustainability while contributing to economic growth.

The Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Mr. Tsaone M. Nkarabang, welcomed the proposal, noting that the project aligns with Botswana’s economic diversification agenda and is expected to create jobs, enhance skills development, and build local capacity.

𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐁𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 – 𝐍𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐠

The Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Mr Tsaone M. Nkarabang, has emphasised the need for local businesses and products to obtain accreditation in order to compete effectively in the global marketplace.

Speaking during the World Accreditation Day commemoration held in Gaborone under the theme “Innovation, Trust and Sustainability: The Power of Accreditation,” Mr. Nkarabang said that accredited goods and services gain credibility and inspire confidence among potential customers.

He added that accreditation supports the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme, through which the government seeks to strengthen industrial capacity and promote an export-led economy.

However, Mr. Nkarabang expressed concern that Botswana is still lagging behind in the accreditation of facilities, noting that only 34 facilities across different sectors have been accredited.

The Chief Executive Officer of Southern African Development Community Accreditation Services, Pinkie Malebe, reiterated that the organization's mandate is to promote accreditation services throughout the region while supporting businesses in attaining internationally recognized standards.

𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐔 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Honourable Tiroeaone Ntsima, yesterday held a courtesy meeting with Lesotho’s Minister of Trade, Honourable Motlatsi Maqelepo, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) and the Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC).

During the meeting, the two ministers agreed to establish a joint committee to oversee the implementation of the MoU and ensure that its objectives are effectively realised for the mutual benefit of both countries.

Discussions also focused on strengthening trade and investment relations between Botswana and Lesotho. The ministers explored opportunities to deepen economic cooperation, enhance bilateral trade, and promote increased cross-border investment between the two nations.

𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐚–𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐨 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐲 – 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐤𝐨

The President of the Republic of Botswana, His Excellency Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, has called for stronger economic cooperation between Botswana and Lesotho through the removal of trade barriers and the promotion of cross-border investment.

Speaking during the inaugural session of the Botswana–Lesotho Bi-National Commission, which concluded today, President Boko emphasized the need for deliberate and structured efforts to enhance trade and investment between the two countries.

He said both nations should work towards creating an enabling environment that facilitates business growth and allows private sector players to establish meaningful and sustainable partnerships.

During the inaugural session of the Botswana–Lesotho Bi-National Commission the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) and the Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening economic cooperation between the two institutions.

During the inaugural session of the Botswana–Lesotho Bi-National Commission held this morning, the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) and the Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening economic cooperation between the two institutions.

The MoU was signed by BITC Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Keletsositse Olebile, and LNDC Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Thabo David Khasipe.

𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐧-𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡

Botswana is participation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Kuo Sharper Center Growth Stage Program in Cairo Egypt as part of a broader Collaboration between Botswana and the Massachusetts Institute.

Speaking at the programme, Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary for Industry in the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Ms Nomakhosi Mookodi, reaffirmed Botswana’s commitment to entrepreneurship-driven economic transformation.

She underscored the importance of building strong Pan-African networks that unlock access to new markets, strategic partnerships, and investment opportunities for businesses across the continent.

The Acting DPS highlighted that the partnership is aimed at strengthening the country’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem while creating pathways for Botswana businesses to expand regionally and globally. She also noted that through initiatives such as the Growth Stage Programme, Botswana entrepreneurs are better positioned to connect, collaborate, and scale their businesses beyond national borders.

The five days programme brought together accomplished entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders from across Africa, fostering knowledge exchange, collaboration, and opportunities for business growth and regional integration.

𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

The High Commissioner of India to Botswana His Excellency Bharath Kumar Kuthati, paid a courtesy call on officials of the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship to discuss the state of bilateral relations and opportunities for enhanced economic cooperation between Botswana and India.

During the meeting, the High Commissioner reaffirmed the Government of India’s commitment to supporting Botswana’s economic development through increased investment, capacity building, and knowledge sharing. Discussions centered on key areas of mutual interest, including improving the ease of doing business, advancing the manufacturing sector, and strengthening human resource development.

The Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Hon. Tiroeaone Ntsima, expressed appreciation for the growing economic partnership between Botswana and India. He acknowledged the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and welcomed continued collaboration aimed at fostering sustainable economic growth and development in both countries.

The meeting underscored the strong and enduring ties between Botswana and India, as well as the shared commitment to deepening trade and investment cooperation for the benefit of both nations.