BITC unveils high-impact investors at Global Expo

The Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) has reaffirmed its pivotal role in driving the country’s economic transformation through sustainable investment. At the Global Expo Botswana 2025 , BITC CEO Keletsositse Olebile unveiled five high-impact projects spanning private sector and public-private partnership initiatives. These include Hemp Innovations Europe, Selebi Phikwe Citrus, Dangote Cement, Cheetah Cement, and the Zotus Smart City project. “These projects represent significant investment value, create employment opportunities, and align with Botswana’s economic priorities,” Olebile said. International investment firm Zotus Group will develop a Smart City in Ghanzi, marking a major step toward transforming the district into a centre of innovation, sustainability, and economic growth. Unveiled at the Global Expo, the Zotus Smart City project is a landmark public-private partnership that reflects Botswana’s vision for inclusive, technology-driven development. A Memorandum of Agreement was signed between Zotus, the Ghanzi District Council, Trans Kalahari Corridor, and BITC. The project will integrate modern infrastructure and smart technologies to promote sustainable urban living, attract domestic and foreign investment, and create long-term employment opportunities for Batswana. European company Hemp Innovations Europe will establish an industrial hemp farm on the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) lands in Sebele, in partnership with BITC. Announced by Olebile during the Investment Pledges session, the initiative marks a key step toward sustainable agriculture and economic diversification. The company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with NARDI and plans to expand to the Mookane community after the pilot phase in Sebele. Founder and CEO Claus Dahlen highlighted hemp’s versatility, noting it can produce over 50,000 bioproducts — including hempwood, hempcrete, textiles, and nutritional products. “Hemp uses less water, requires fewer pesticides, improves soil quality, and offers major job creation potential, particularly for women and young people,” Dahlen said. The Selebi Phikwe Citrus Project has transformed Botswana’s nascent citrus industry into a pioneering success. With products now sold in the EU, UK, Russia, Canada, and UAE, the project is expanding to new markets including China, South Korea, India, and the USA. With over P447 million already invested, the initiative has created 405 jobs, restored livelihoods, developed local skills, and revitalised the region. A further P500 million is planned for expansion into the Dikgathong area, creating an additional 500 jobs. “We have successfully opened up export markets for Botswana fruit, paving the way for other citrus producers and promoting inclusive growth,” said Pieter Scholtz, CEO of Selibe Phikwe Citrus Project. Part of the Dangote Group — Africa’s largest cement producer — Dangote Cement is expanding into Botswana, marking its 11th African market. Duncan Leigh of Sephaku Cement (Dangote Group, South Africa) explained the plan: bulk cement will initially be imported from South Africa, with a ton of local coal purchased from Morupule Coal Mine for each ton imported. The cement will then be processed and packaged locally for distribution across Botswana. The first phase involves building a bulk offloading and packing plant 15 km from Gaborone, followed by blending. The initial investment is P65 million, with 36 local staff already hired. Groundbreaking is scheduled for Q1 2025, with operations expected by Q4 2025. Cheetah Cement Botswana, a joint venture between a Hong Kong company and a Namibian partner, plans a large cement grinding mill in Gaborone on 19 hectares of land. The facility, with a capacity of 800 tonnes per annum — 26 times larger than its Matsiloje plant — will produce 80 percent bagged cement and 20 percent bulk for domestic distribution. The $50 million investment will create 500 construction jobs, including 390 local roles, and 120 full-time production positions once operational. The plant will utilise fly ash from Morupule and nickelslag from Matsiloje, aiming to reduce Botswana’s reliance on cement imports and enhance the country’s industrial resilience. “By localising a significant share of supply, we aim to shift the current dynamics, strengthening Botswana’s industrial landscape,” said Rebatho Tumagole, company representative.

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BITC unveils high-impact investors at Global Expo

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