The President of the Republic of Botswana and Commander-In-Chief of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, has revealed that the Government is prioritizing a feasibility study on establishing a Defence Industry in Botswana.
President Boko made the announcement this morning during the official opening of the BDF’s 20th Senior Officer’s Strategic Conference held at Sir Seretse Khama Barracks (SSKB) in Gaborone.
In his address to senior military leaders, President Boko emphasized that developing a national defence industry is a strategic priority for Botswana. He stressed that building local defence manufacturing and technological capacity will not only strengthen national security but also offer long-term socio-economic benefits.
“Government is undertaking a feasibility study to explore the establishment of a Defence Industry in Botswana. This initiative is aimed at enhancing our self-reliance in defence capabilities and unlocking new opportunities for our highly skilled officers,” said President Boko.
He called on BDF officers to actively contribute to the planning and implementation processes, noting that their technical knowledge and field experience are crucial to the project’s success.
“Your expertise is vital. We want you to guide this vision. Your input will shape not only the future of the BDF but the future of a Botswana that is capable of innovating and producing its own defence solutions,” he told attendees.
The President also pointed out that current legislation must be reviewed and amended to allow for swift progress on the proposed initiative. He urged relevant government institutions to collaborate closely with the military leadership to create a legal and institutional framework that will support defence sector development.
According to President Boko, the successful establishment of a local defence industry holds the promise of job creation, skills transfer, and technology innovation, with direct benefits for BDF personnel and the country’s broader industrial strategy.
This year’s conference, which brings together senior officers from various divisions of the BDF, is focused on forward-looking strategies to modernize Botswana’s defence capabilities and align them with national development goals.
As discussions continue, the President’s remarks have set the tone for a bold new chapter in Botswana’s defence planning—one where the country not only defends its sovereignty but also becomes a producer of defence technologies for the future.
