Boosting Botswana’s Grain Sector: SEZA Showcases Expanded Pandamatenga Silos. The Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA) recently hosted a high-level tour of the upgraded Pandamatenga Silos, showcasing a major investment in Botswana’s agricultural infrastructure. Mr. Omphile Sehurutshe, Advisor – Presidential Projects, led the visit to the facility, which was developed through a collaboration between SEZA and the Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB).
The visit highlighted the expansion of grain storage capacity in Pandamatenga, where the new steel silos have tripled existing capacity—from 30,000 metric tonnes to 90,000 metric tonnes. This development aims to unlock greater production and processing potential in one of Botswana’s key agricultural zones.
SEZA Acting Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Tapiwa Masie, stated that limited storage space had previously been a barrier to growth in the region. “The silos can be divided to store various crops such as sorghum, maize, wheat, and sunflower, which presents a unique opportunity to develop and expand our cereal grain value chains,” she said. She added that the improved infrastructure would help reduce post-harvest losses and preserve produce under optimal conditions.
Mr. Sehurutshe commended the initiative and acknowledged planned enhancements, including the installation of a grain dryer in the second phase. He urged SEZA to streamline project delivery timelines and budgets, ensuring value for government investments. “You must also make sure that citizens are prioritised as beneficiaries,” he added.
