Botswana and Namibia chart new economic frontiers
The Second Session of the Botswana–Namibia Bi-National Commission (BNC) concluded in Windhoek with a renewed focus on deepening economic cooperation and driving sustainable growth across key sectors. Trade minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi highlighted the pivotal role of the BNC as a “living mechanism” that transforms shared political will into tangible results for the citizens of both countries.
She noted that, through its four committees - Political, Diplomatic and Legal; Economic; Social; and Defence and Security - the two nations have adopted forward-looking recommendations designed to strengthen trade, investment and regional integration. These frameworks, she said, will serve as the blueprint for enhanced collaboration in the years ahead.
Her counterpart, Phenyo Butale, Botswana’s Minister of International Relations, emphasised that the agreements reached reflect a shared commitment to transforming the bilateral partnership into a driver of sustainable development and inclusive prosperity. He pointed to cooperation in trade, energy, agriculture and education as key areas that will “open new avenues of opportunity, particularly for youth and women.”
A major highlight of the session was the signing of nine Memoranda of Understanding and agreements covering sectors such as science and technology, energy, mining, and corrections and prisons.
Both ministers underlined that these accords will strengthen the industrial base, enhance cross-border trade, and boost job creation, aligning directly with national development priorities.
Ashipala-Musavyi underscored that the new agreements in energy, labour, health, culture and technology will modernise and expand cooperation while fostering human capital development. She observed that such progress would “promote people-to-people collaboration” and deepen integration between the two economies.
The ministers commended the efforts of senior officials and technical teams, whose preparatory work ensured the success of the BNC. Their professionalism, they agreed, provided a strong foundation for results-oriented deliberations.
She noted that, through its four committees - Political, Diplomatic and Legal; Economic; Social; and Defence and Security - the two nations have adopted forward-looking recommendations designed to strengthen trade, investment and regional integration. These frameworks, she said, will serve as the blueprint for enhanced collaboration in the years ahead.
Her counterpart, Phenyo Butale, Botswana’s Minister of International Relations, emphasised that the agreements reached reflect a shared commitment to transforming the bilateral partnership into a driver of sustainable development and inclusive prosperity. He pointed to cooperation in trade, energy, agriculture and education as key areas that will “open new avenues of opportunity, particularly for youth and women.”
A major highlight of the session was the signing of nine Memoranda of Understanding and agreements covering sectors such as science and technology, energy, mining, and corrections and prisons.
Both ministers underlined that these accords will strengthen the industrial base, enhance cross-border trade, and boost job creation, aligning directly with national development priorities.
Ashipala-Musavyi underscored that the new agreements in energy, labour, health, culture and technology will modernise and expand cooperation while fostering human capital development. She observed that such progress would “promote people-to-people collaboration” and deepen integration between the two economies.
The ministers commended the efforts of senior officials and technical teams, whose preparatory work ensured the success of the BNC. Their professionalism, they agreed, provided a strong foundation for results-oriented deliberations.
