Botswana’s beef export ambitions received a major boost this week following a high-level meeting in Beijing between the Minister of International Relations, Dr Phenyo Butale, and top executives from Beijing Agrifam Co., Ltd. The company announced its readiness to invest a staggering 1 billion pula into feedlot infrastructure in Botswana to enhance beef quality ahead of exports to China.
During the talks, Beijing Agrifam officials detailed their plan to establish state-of-the-art feedlot facilities aimed at ensuring that Botswana beef meets Chinese market standards. The investment is seen as a direct response to the recently signed beef protocol, which allows Botswana to export beef to China—a milestone that Minister Butale was commended for by the company’s leadership.
Crucially, the company also revealed a strategic partnership with the CITIC Group, one of China’s largest state-owned investment corporations. Under the agreement, CITIC will be responsible for purchasing beef from the feedlots and overseeing its distribution across China, effectively establishing a direct export pipeline between Botswana and the world’s most populous country.
Representatives from Beijing Agrifam expressed their enthusiasm for the venture and confirmed their commitment to Botswana’s beef sector. They further announced plans to travel to Botswana in July, where they will engage with the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) to finalise details and operationalise the investment.
The meeting highlights the growing interest in Botswana’s agricultural potential, especially in the high-value beef sector, and positions the country as a competitive player in the global meat export market. As both nations deepen trade ties, the billion-pula investment marks a significant step towards strengthening Botswana’s economic diversification and creating value-added agricultural opportunities.
