Botswana Invites Local Companies to Export Under AfCFTA

Botswana Invites Local Companies to Export Under AfCFTA. The Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship (MTE) has issued a call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from local companies seeking to export under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement.

The AfCFTA, a flagship project under the African Union’s Agenda 2063, aims to foster economic integration across the continent and create a single, efficient African market. Botswana signed the agreement in 2019 and ratified it on 19 February 2023, opening new opportunities for local businesses to access export markets and production inputs at competitive prices.

According to the Ministry, selected companies will undergo diagnostic assessments to determine their export readiness. Based on the results, tailored interventions will be provided to strengthen their capacity and convert them into sustainable exporters under AfCFTA.

Selection criteria include:

• Targeted sectors such as light manufacturing, indigenous products, garments and textiles, meat and meat products, jewellery and semi-precious stones, arts and crafts, and leather goods.
• Companies must demonstrate full control of production, operations, and marketing.
• Sound financial status with two years of financial statements.
• Management commitment to developing export capacity and willingness to share costs in partnership.
• Submission of a detailed company profile with incorporation documents, shareholder certificates, and certified IDs.
• A formal letter of interest outlining current investment and employment levels.

Interested companies can submit their EOI via the provided online form. For clarification, they may contact Ms. Seloinyana Selelo at 3685309 or Ms. Mavis Segone at 3685333.The deadline for submission is 24 April 2026. Late or improperly submitted applications will not be accepted.

This initiative underscores Botswana’s commitment to expanding its participation in regional and global value chains, while empowering local enterprises to seize new opportunities under AfCFTA.