The Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA) Botswana, in partnership with First National Bank Botswana (FNBB), has announced the Chobe Connect 2026, scheduled to take place from 30–31 March 2026 at Cresta Mowana Safari and Spa in Kasane.
Chobe Connect 2026 is a premium Investor Conference designed to position the Chobe District as an emerging regional investment hub within Botswana and the broader Southern African region.
The Conference responds to Botswana’s national development priorities, including economic diversification, private sector–led growth, regional integration, and the implementation of the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP).
Chobe District occupies a uniquely strategic position at the confluence of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, offering exceptional cross-border connectivity,
world-renowned tourism assets and growing agro-industrial potential.
With approved BETP projects and the establishment of the Pandamatenga Special Economic Zone (SEZ), the District is poised to become a catalyst for agro-industrial value chains, tourism regeneration, and logistics-driven regional trade.
Chobe Connect 2026 will convene policymakers and capital providers to unlock these opportunities, bridge policy and investment, and stimulate bankable partnerships.
Conference Objectives
The main objective of the Conference is to mobilise investment, partnerships, and policy alignment to accelerate sustainable economic growth in Chobe District and beyond. Further to that, the inaugural forum aims to:
∙ Showcase investment-ready projects in priority sectors, with a strong focus on the Pandamatenga SEZ.
∙ Position Chobe District as a competitive investment destination aligned with national and regional development strategies.
∙ Facilitate high-level dialogue between policy makers, investors, and development partners to de-risk and unlock capital.
∙ Promote agro-industrial value chain development, tourism regeneration, regional connectivity, and sports tourism.
∙ Strengthen collaboration around approved BETP projects in Chobe District.
A strong delegation of national, regional and international stakeholders is expected to attend, including but not limited to:
∙ Policy makers
∙ Domestic and International investors
∙ Embassies and High Commissions
∙ Development Finance Institutions and development partners
∙ Financial institutions
∙ Private sector leaders
∙ Academia and research institutions
∙ Civil society and community development organisations
Focus Sectors
The two-day programme will highlight strategic sectors with high potential for growth, transformation, and value-chain expansion, which include:
∙ Agro-Industrial Investment
∙ Banking and Finance
∙ Tourism Regeneration
∙ Infrastructure Development
∙ Regional Connectivity
∙ Pandamatenga SEZ Showcase
Speaking ahead of the event, SEZA Acting Chief Executive Officer, Tapiwa Masie highlighted the importance of coordinated investment efforts in unlocking national and regional value: “Chobe Connect will serve as a bridge between policy ambition and
investment action. By bringing partners together under one roof, we aim to fast-track opportunities that can meaningfully transform the economic landscape of the Chobe District,” she said.
FNB Botswana, as co-hosts and strategic partners, underscored the crucial role of the private sector in stimulating long-term economic resilience. Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Dr Mbako Mbo stated: “This partnership is about positioning Chobe as a vital growth connection for the region. It is about strengthening a presence in an area of both biodiversity importance and commercial opportunity, while contributing to sustainable
development. And it is about playing our role as a trusted financial partner that supports priority sectors and helps communities to thrive.”
Expected Outcomes
By the conclusion of Chobe Connect 2026, the Conference aims to deliver:
- Increased investor awareness and interest in the Chobe District
- Formal expressions of interest and investment commitments
- Strategic partnerships and MOUs
- Clear policy investment pathways for priority sectors
- Enhanced visibility of Pandamatenga SEZ and BETP projects
- A shared roadmap for sustainable, inclusive growth in Chobe
