Botswana looks to export gold, diamonds, and meat to Kuwait
- No visa required for Kuwaitis... and we are working to enhance air connectivity with Gulf countries
- Promising opportunities for Kuwaiti investors in mining, agriculture, and renewable energy
From meat and food security to diamonds and gold, Botswana is opening its doors, aiming to achieve an integrated food, trade, investment, and tourism partnership with Kuwait. The country is targeting a new phase that transcends traditional relations, leveraging vast potential in the agriculture, livestock, mining, energy, and food processing sectors.
As Botswana prepares to complete the necessary health and veterinary requirements to resume beef exports to the Kuwaiti market, Acting Ambassador Amangwe Madisakwana told "Al-Rai" that his country aims to transform this cooperation from mere product supply into long-term food security partnerships. These partnerships would include investments in commercial farming, livestock rearing, dairy production, and food industries, in addition to supplying the Kuwaiti market with diamonds, gold, and copper. Meanwhile, Kuwait can export petrochemical and plastic products, construction materials, and financial services to the Botswana market.
Madisakwana revealed consultations for a visit by high-ranking Botswana officials to Kuwait to discuss new agreements in the fields of political consultations, labor, and food security. He emphasized that relations between the two countries, spanning more than four decades, are entering a new phase of economic and investment cooperation.
Madisakwana confirmed that his country is working to finalize the necessary health and veterinary procedures to resume beef exports to Kuwait. He noted that Botswana meat was previously present in the Kuwaiti market, and current efforts are focused on reopening this trade channel and strengthening the cold chain logistics between the two countries.
He stated that Botswana possesses significant potential to become a strategic partner for Kuwait in food security, thanks to its rich livestock resources, disease-free animal production, adoption of modern agricultural technologies, and extensive arable land.
He clarified that cooperation between the two countries in food security may not be limited to meat and food supply contracts, but could evolve into long-term partnerships involving investments in commercial agriculture, irrigation projects, livestock rearing, dairy production, and food industries, thereby creating added value for both sides.
He pointed out that Botswana has vast agricultural lands, as well as groundwater reserves and perennial rivers, providing significant opportunities for Kuwaiti investors across various segments of the food security, mining, agriculture, and renewable energy sectors.
Madisakwana highlighted that agriculture and food industries are among the most promising sectors for cooperation between Kuwait and Botswana, affirming that the private sector in both countries is capable of establishing successful partnerships in production, manufacturing, and distribution.
He added that Botswana can provide the Kuwaiti market with products and services other than beef, while Kuwait can contribute to developing production and manufacturing sectors through investment, expertise, and financing, thereby enhancing both countries' capacity to build sustainable partnerships in food security.
The Acting Ambassador confirmed that Kuwaiti citizens do not require a prior visa to enter Botswana, a rule that also applies to citizens of the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain.
He clarified that his country periodically reviews its visa policies, urging travelers to monitor the embassy’s website or the electronic visa system to ensure they are aware of the latest procedures and requirements before traveling.
He added that his country also offers an e-visa service for those wishing to obtain visas online, thereby facilitating travel procedures and saving time for visitors.
Madisakwana emphasized that relations between Kuwait and Botswana have been continuously evolving for more than four decades, noting that Kuwait has played a significant role in supporting his country’s development trajectory, whether through development and technical assistance or through cooperation in human resource development.
He added that the labor sector is currently witnessing intensified cooperation, explaining that Botswana possesses qualified personnel in various technical specialties, including rescue operations, information technology, and specialists in industrial control systems (SCADA), which opens the door for further cooperation in recruiting skilled labor.
Regarding ease of access to Botswana, Madisakwana clarified that while his country is not currently connected by direct flights, travelers can reach it via several regional and international aviation hubs, including Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.
He affirmed that the embassy and relevant authorities in Botswana continue to work with airlines to enhance air connectivity with the Gulf region, particularly given the growing interest in tourism, investment, and trade between the two sides.
Madisakwana revealed consultations on organizing a visit by high-ranking Botswana officials to the region, with Kuwait as the main stop, aiming to bridge the gap in official visits between the two countries in recent years.
Madisakwana addressed a message to Kuwaiti investors, affirming that his country offers a range of fundamental prerequisites sought by investors, foremost among them political stability, democratic governance, sound financial management, and the rule of law, considering these factors make Botswana one of the safest investment environments in Africa.
He stated that Botswana can supply the Kuwaiti market with diamonds, gold, copper, beef, as well as tourism services, while Kuwait can export petrochemical and plastic products, construction materials, and financial services to the Botswana market.
Madisakwana pointed out that his country is among the premier safari destinations in Africa, thanks to a tourism model based on the equation of “few visitors with high tourism value,” which helps preserve the natural environment and provides visitors with a more private and tranquil experience away from crowds.
He affirmed that tourism in Botswana is no longer limited to adventures and safari trips; resorts and tourist lodges offer suitable options for families, taking into account the privacy preferences favored by visitors from the Gulf countries.
