Botswana’s Private Sector Mobilised to Drive AfCFTA Implementation

Botswana’s private sector has been called to take a leading role in advancing the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), reinforcing its position as a key driver of regional integration, investment and inclusive economic growth.

The call was made during the High-Level National Forum on AfCFTA, convened by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat in partnership with Business Botswana, with support from the German Government.

Opening the forum, SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi emphasised that business leadership is essential to transform AfCFTA commitments into tangible economic outcomes.
“No one from outside will do this for us as a continent. Through frameworks such as AfCFTA, we can cushion our economies against global shocks and build sustainable growth,” he said.

Participants reviewed progress in AfCFTA implementation and explored practical measures to strengthen export readiness, industrial competitiveness and SME participation. The discussions also provided a platform for private sector actors to highlight operational constraints and propose solutions to deepen Botswana’s integration into regional and continental value chains.

Business Botswana President Neo Nwako underscored the importance of sustained public–private collaboration to translate policy ambition into business impact.
“This agreement will not succeed on policy alone. It requires honest, intentional dialogue between the private sector, governments and development partners to turn ambition into impact,” he said.

Representing the Government of Botswana, Professor Goemeone EJ Mogomotsi, Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship, highlighted the shift from policy frameworks towards results-driven implementation.
“The key question is no longer whether to implement AfCFTA, but how to translate it into tangible commercial outcomes for businesses and citizens,” he noted.

This focus aligns with Germany’s reformed development cooperation approach, which places stronger emphasis on private sector engagement, sustainable economic cooperation and regional market integration as key drivers of long-term stability, competitiveness and shared prosperity.

Why Private Sector Support Matters for Germany and Europe

Germany’s support for AfCFTA implementation and private sector engagement in Southern Africa is closely linked to European economic and strategic interests.

By strengthening regional value chains, improving trade facilitation and supporting private sector competitiveness, Germany contributes to the development of stable markets, resilient supply chains and sustainable investment environments. This creates new opportunities for European companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises — to access African markets, diversify sourcing options and build long-term trade and investment partnerships.

Delivering remarks on behalf of the German Government, Gabriela Bennemann, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Botswana, reaffirmed Germany’s strong commitment to Africa’s regional integration agenda.

She highlighted Germany’s experience within the European Union, where economic integration and private sector participation have played a central role in driving innovation, job creation and competitiveness. She further emphasised Germany’s support for fair, rules-based international trade systems that strengthen Africa’s position within global markets.

Held under the theme “Botswana’s Private Sector as an Engine for Growth: Seizing AfCFTA Market Opportunities”, the forum brought together high-level stakeholders, including representatives from the European Union Delegation to Botswana, the SADC Business Council, the African Development Bank, the African Export-Import Bank, senior officials from the Government of Botswana, regional business leaders and manufacturers.

Key sessions focused on trade facilitation reforms, logistics readiness, regulatory alignment and targeted support for high-potential export sectors. Panel discussions with private companies provided practical insights into operational preparedness and cross-border market access.

The forum concluded with agreed priority actions and policy recommendations aimed at strengthening institutionalised public–private dialogue, improving the business environment and supporting competitive regional value chains.

These outcomes are expected to enhance Botswana’s effective participation in AfCFTA and contribute to broader SADC industrialisation objectives.

The forum was supported through a joint SADC-EU-German cooperation initiative under the Cooperation for the Enhancement of SADC Regional Economic Integration (CESARE) programme, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH