Botswana-Zambia Business Forum
28 May, 2026
The Botswana–Zambia Business Forum set the tone for stronger regional integration and enhanced bilateral cooperation aimed at facilitating trade, investment, and ease of doing business between the two countries. Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Jito Kayumba, Special Advisor on Finance and Investment to the President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, highlighted that the Botswana and Zambia Bi-National Commission is expected to further strengthen trade, partnerships and the movement of citizens between the two nations. He also underscored opportunities for increased investment in mining, tourism, wholesale and retail trade, as well as ongoing efforts to enhance regional trade corridors through the Kazungula Bridge Authority.
Speaking during the forum, Mr. Neo Nwako, President of Business Botswana, emphasised the need for Africa to intentionally grow intra-African trade and strengthen economic cooperation within the continent. Her Excellency, Pamela Melela Chisanga, Zambia High Commission to Botswana further encouraged businesses to openly share trade impediments to enable stronger collaboration and policy facilitation. Various speakers unbundled issues around opening up sustainable trade towards dignified jobs for Batswana and Zambians.
These included; the CEO of @Botswana Stock Exchanage (BSE) Aupa Monyatsi, the Northern Director at BITC Mokgosi, long standing BB member and FT based entrepreneur Dr Mompati of Tati Clinics, Maiba Samunzala of SPEDU, Zambia Internatipnal Development Corporation (IDC) representative Cornwell Muleya, BECI and Stanbic representatives. In closing, the CEO of BB Tumi Mbaakanyi committed that a system would be put in place so that the engagements from the forum engagements translate into measurable trade flows, partnerships as well as a robust ecosystem.
This engagement forms part of ongoing activities at the 30th Northern Trade Fair, with more updates from the Fair to follow.