The launch of a new partnership between Kalahari Shade Nets and the Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB) marks a historic milestone for Botswana’s manufacturing sector. The agreement, announced today at the Kalahari Shade Nets facility in Gaborone, allows BAMB to sell products manufactured by Kalahari Shade Nets across the country. Kalahari Shade Net is a registered Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) client and Tokafala facilitated the current listing in collaboration with LEA.

In his official opening address, Professor Goemone Mogomotsi, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Trade Development in the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship, expressed his pride in being part of the event. He highlighted the Ministry’s role in facilitating the partnership, particularly through State-Owned Enterprise, SPEDU, which helped the company set up and access the BAMB market.

“This is a significant achievement for both Kalahari Shade Nets and BAMB. It reflects our collective efforts to support local businesses and promote the consumption of home-grown products,” said Professor Mogomotsi.

Kalahari Shade Nets, known for producing a variety of shade nets used across sectors including agrobusiness, mining, construction, sports, and recreation, signed a sale agreement with BAMB on August 8, 2024. Currently, the products are available in five BAMB branches, including Gaborone, Palapye, Francistown, Jwaneng, and Molepolole, with plans for wider distribution across the country.

Professor Mogomotsi urged local consumers to support these products, emphasizing the importance of buying locally-made goods to strengthen the economy. He also encouraged more partnerships between local manufacturers and retailers, noting that such collaborations are key to ensuring the success of Botswana’s manufacturing sector.

“Together, we can make a difference. We need more agreements like this to flood our shelves with locally-made products. Government continues to support the business community, but the private sector plays a critical role in driving economic growth,” he said.

Despite ongoing efforts by the government to reduce reliance on imports, Botswana remains a major importer, with over 80% of its imports coming from neighboring countries. Professor Mogomotsi expressed his hope that this new partnership would help reverse these statistics by boosting local production and consumption.

He also underscored the government’s commitment to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs), which are key to job creation and sustainable livelihoods. Through initiatives such as SPEDU, the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA), and the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA), the government is actively working to create a conducive environment for the growth of local businesses.

Professor Mogomotsi recognized the efforts of various stakeholders, including SPEDU, LEA, TOKAFALA, and CEDA, in making the partnership a reality. He also reminded local manufacturers of the importance of product quality and reliability, as well as compliance with regulatory standards to ensure competitiveness in both local and international markets.

In closing, the Deputy Permanent Secretary extended his congratulations to Kalahari Shade Nets for their achievement and urged them to seize the opportunity presented by their partnership with BAMB. “The ball is now in your court to ensure this partnership flourishes. Your success will determine the future of this collaboration,” he concluded.

The event marks a significant step forward in Botswana’s efforts to strengthen its local manufacturing sector and reduce reliance on imported products, aligning with the government’s broader economic growth goals.