Botswana is set to commence national consultations on implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a significant step toward integrating into the continentโs single market.
The Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship, in collaboration with the African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) and the Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa (ECA SRO-SA) of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), hosted a one-day National Consultative Forum on March 6 in Gaborone. This forum brought together key national stakeholders to help shape Botswanaโs AfCFTA National Implementation Strategy and Action Plan, according to the ECA.
Participants, including representatives from government, the private sector, civil society organisations, academia, and the media, provided input on how Botswana can maximise the benefits of the AfCFTA. The agreement, which seeks to create the worldโs largest free trade area, presents an opportunity for Botswana to expand its trade footprint across Africa.
โThe forumโs objectives include raising awareness about AfCFTAโs economic opportunities and potential impacts on Botswana, defining stakeholder roles in ensuring effective implementation through a national strategy, and gathering feedback to develop a comprehensive and inclusive action plan for Botswanaโs participation in the trade pact,โ the ECA stated.
Botswana has been working to align its trade policies with AfCFTA requirements to enhance export competitiveness, diversify its economy, and increase intra-African trade. The consultations represent a key step in ensuring that businesses and policymakers are prepared to navigate the new trade landscape.
Documents reviewed by this publication indicate that Botswana is developing an AfCFTA Implementation Strategy to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the continental trade agreement. As part of its technical assistance to Member States, the ECA is also spearheading the development of national AfCFTA strategies.
According to the ECA, Botswanaโs key strategies and frameworks, including National Development Plan (NDP) 11, Botswana Vision 2036, the National Transformation Strategy, and the National Trade Policy, will serve as reference documents in drafting the strategy.
Through the National AfCFTA Strategy and Implementation Plan, Botswana and other member states are expected to identify their comparative advantages for economic diversification and prioritize value chains for development. This approach aims to support economic diversification and maximize trade potential under the agreement.
Beyond sectors where Botswana has a comparative advantage, the strategy will also identify emerging industries that can integrate the country into regional and global value chains. This would enable the production of competitive, higher value-added goods.
The strategy will also address cross-cutting issues such as gender mainstreaming, youth inclusion, support for people living with disabilities, environmental sustainability, and green industrialisation technologies. The ECA emphasises that trade liberalisation affects men and women differently due to their distinct economic and social positions. Thus, a gender-sensitive approach is essential to mitigate negative impacts and enhance positive outcomes for women, ultimately strengthening the effectiveness of trade policies.
Additionally, the National AfCFTA Strategy and Implementation Plan will include a communications strategy and a Monitoring and Evaluation framework.
The AfCFTA, which officially commenced in January 2021, aims to boost intra-African trade by reducing tariffs, harmonising trade regulations, and creating a unified market for goods and services. By participating in the agreement, Botswana seeks to position itself as a competitive player in the African market and leverage the benefits of a liberalised trade environment.
