Botswana -Nigeria Trade Mission Connects Businesses to Unlock AfCFTA Opportunities

Business Botswana in partnership with the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), hosted a delegation from Nigeria of Government officials, Trade Support institutions and Private Sector entities. The Botswana–Nigeria Investment and Business-to-Business (B2B) Forum explored opportunities of increasing trade and market access and building sustainable partnerships that create shared economic value under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Whilst trade between Botswana and Nigeria remains below its potential, the engagement highlighted the significant opportunity to increase exports, imports and investment flows between the two markets. By leveraging the strengths of both economies, businesses can unlock new value chains and deepen intra-African trade.

 

Business Botswana CEO, Ms. Tumi Mbaakanyi, in her welcome remarks emphasised the importance of transforming trade agreements into practical opportunities for businesses. She noted that the AfCFTA will only deliver meaningful results when businesses actively engage and invest.

 

Mr Calvin Ketshabetswe, Manager of Export Promotion and Development at BITC, provided insights into Botswana’s investment landscape, priority sectors and incentives available to investors and highlighted opportunities for businesses to expand.

The Nigerian delegation expressed strong interest and readiness to do business with Botswana. Ms Patience Okala, National Coordinator of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, shared the importance of equipping businesses to participate effectively in

continental trade.

 

Adding a practical business perspective, Mrs Chinwe Ezanwa, CEO of Le Look Nigeria Limited, the first entrepreneur to export through AfCFTA, shared her inspirational journey in the bags manufacturing space and expressed readiness to explore investment opportunities and partnerships with Botswana businesses.

 

The High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Botswana, HE John Shama Shaga echoed his wish that this mission mode be replicated across other countries as a blueprint. The President of Business Botswana, Mr Neo Nwako, closed the forum by sending a strong message around trade enablers like logistics and digitalisation and that these be harmonised for ultimate Africa intra trade.

 

The mission continues tomorrow until Saturday with business showcases planned at flagship stores of Choppies Ltd and Sefalana Ltd. The Nigerian delegation will be showcasing their products including food tasting, fashion, samples of the ‘Made in Nigeria’ market and connection of locals with the Nigerian entrepreneurs.

 

Through initiatives such as this, Business Botswana continues to create platforms that connect businesses, strengthen regional value chains and turn the promise of the AfCFTA into real opportunities.