Botswana and Namibia Advance Cross-Border Tourism Code for Shared River Use

Botswana and Namibia Advance Cross-Border Tourism Code for Shared River Use. On 23–24 June 2025, Botswana and Namibia convened in Kasane to review the Kwando-Linyanti-Chobe River Transboundary Tourism Code of Conduct (CoC), a critical framework designed to manage tourism and other activities along the shared watercourse between the two countries.

The initiative, developed under the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) with support from the German government, aims to strengthen cross-border collaboration through harmonised policy and sustainable tourism practices. The CoC specifically addresses growing concerns over usage conflicts on the river, which acts as both a natural resource and international boundary.

The document outlines Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that guide the behaviour of various stakeholders, including tourism operators, fishermen, and security forces, across both land and water-based activities. Waste disposal protocols are also covered to promote environmental responsibility.

The review sessions were collaborative, bringing together government agencies, community leaders, tourism operators, lodge owners, and businesses from both Botswana and Namibia. The Code is nearing finalisation, with legal vetting already completed by the Attorney General’s Chambers in both countries. One final round of community consultations will be held before the CoC is formally adopted.

For Botswana’s entrepreneurs and tourism stakeholders, the CoC presents an opportunity to operate under clear, mutually agreed-upon guidelines that reduce conflict and improve coordination. It also positions businesses to thrive in a more stable, predictable, and environmentally responsible cross-border tourism environment.