The Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ms Alexandra Abrahams, will attend the 6th Botswana-South Africa Bi-National Commission and deliver remarks at the Botswana–South Africa Business Forum in Gaborone from 20-21 May 2026.
The Botswana-South Africa Business Forum will be held on the margins of the 6th session of the South Africa-Botswana Bi-National Commission. The BNC serves as an important platform for strengthening bilateral relations between South Africa and Botswana by creating a conducive environment for cooperation.
During the previous BNC session, the two countries agreed to deepen collaboration in key sectors, including agriculture, transport, infrastructure, water, mining, energy, science and technology, finance, tourism, as well as trade and investment.
According to Abrahams, the Botswana-South Africa BNC will enable the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) to advance and assess the implementation of Economic Cluster commitments made during the previous BNC. The deliberations of the BNC are expected to support stronger bilateral trade and investment ties between South Africa and Botswana.
“The implementation plan for the Memorandum of Understanding on Trade and Industrial Cooperation, will be considered. The MoU is focused on addressing market access barriers, enhancing customs cooperation, and fostering partnerships that support investment in Southern African Customs Union (SACU) value chains,” states Abrahams.
“The 6th BNC session specifically provides an opportunity to address market access challenges, particularly the trade restrictions affecting key sectors. Through this strengthened coordination, to the two countries are further able to address emerging issues whilst ensuring the inclusive implementation of commitments made during the previous–Botswana-South Africa Bi-National Commission,” says Abrahams.
“A total of 30 South African companies invested in Botswana between January 2003 and March 2026. These investments span various sectors, including financial services, minerals, business services, communications, hospitality and tourism, consumer products, software and information technology services, building materials, business machinery and equipment, food and beverages, among others,” adds Abrahams.
Abrahams says that South Africa and Botswana’s investment relations underscore the importance of strategic collaboration, in addressing the economic challenges and enhancing trade and investment.
South Africa is Botswana’s 2nd trading partner, accounting for approximately 15% of Botswana’s total exports. South Africa exported R73.6 billion worth of goods in 2025. South Africa, on the other hand, is Botswana’s main trading partner accounting for 60% of Botswana’s total imports. South Africa imported a total value of an estimated R7.6 billion in 2025.
For media enquiries and interview requests:
Bongani Lukhele – Director: Media Relations
Tel: (012) 394 1643
Mobile: 079 5083 457
WhatsApp: 074 2998 512
E-mail: BLukhele@thedtic.gov.za
Issued by: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
Follow us on X: @the_dtic
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