Botswana is calling for stronger mining cooperation with Zambia and other Southern African countries to promote mineral value addition, expand local manufacturing and accelerate regional industrialisation. Minister of Minerals and Energy Bogolo Joy Kenewendo outlined this vision at the Zambia Mining and Investment Insaka (ZAMII) 2026 in Lusaka, where she represented President Advocate Duma Boko. She emphasised that African countries must move beyond exporting raw minerals and focus on processing, manufacturing and innovation to generate greater economic benefits from their natural resources. The proposed cooperation seeks to use Botswana’s mining expertise and Zambia’s industrial opportunities to develop regional supply chains, strengthen technical capacity and create employment. The initiative reflects a wider push for African countries to capture more value from their mineral wealth rather than relying heavily on imported equipment, technology and specialised services.
Kenewendo highlighted Botswana’s experience in the mining sector as a foundation for stronger partnerships with Zambia and other countries in the region. Mining plays an important role in Botswana’s economy, particularly through its diamond industry, while Zambia has extensive experience in copper production and related mining activities. These complementary areas of expertise create opportunities for cooperation in engineering, equipment manufacturing, mineral processing and workforce development. By combining knowledge, technical capabilities and business opportunities across borders, the two countries could strengthen their domestic industries and support a more integrated regional mining sector. Such partnerships would also provide opportunities for local companies to participate in projects that might otherwise depend on suppliers from outside Africa.
A central message from Kenewendo’s address was the need for African countries to increase the value they derive from their mineral resources. Exporting unprocessed minerals can generate revenue, but it may leave significant opportunities for manufacturing, specialised services and industrial development untapped. Mineral value addition involves processing raw materials into products with greater economic value before they enter domestic or international markets. Depending on the mineral and the available technology, this can include refining, component production, specialised manufacturing and other activities further along the supply chain. Developing these capabilities could help African countries retain more economic value locally, create skilled jobs and strengthen their position in international markets.
Regional industrialisation is an important part of this approach because individual countries may not have the scale or resources to develop every part of a mining supply chain independently. Cooperation can allow businesses to serve markets across national borders and benefit from a larger customer base. Mining equipment manufacturers, engineering companies and technical service providers could potentially expand their operations by supplying customers in several countries rather than relying on domestic demand alone. Regional procurement can also create opportunities for smaller businesses to become suppliers to larger mining operations. However, these benefits will depend on competitive pricing, reliable transport networks, consistent product standards and effective cooperation between governments and industry.
One of the proposed areas of collaboration is the establishment of an industrial campus focused on mining equipment manufacturing and mineral processing. The concept aims to create a base for industrial activity that could support the production of equipment and the development of services needed by the mining sector. Such a facility could provide opportunities for engineering firms, manufacturers, technical specialists and training institutions to work more closely together. Local production of selected mining equipment and components could also reduce dependence on imported products where domestic or regional manufacturing is commercially viable. The proposal remains subject to technical and commercial assessments, meaning its feasibility, design and potential benefits would need to be evaluated before implementation.
The proposed industrial campus is linked to a 300-megawatt solar photovoltaic project and a battery energy storage facility. This combination could help provide electricity for industrial activities while supporting efforts to improve energy reliability and manage power demand. Solar photovoltaic systems generate electricity from sunlight, while battery storage can retain electricity for use when solar generation falls or demand rises. For manufacturing operations, a reliable electricity supply is essential because interruptions can affect production schedules, equipment performance and operating costs. However, the practical value of the proposed energy project will depend on technical studies, financing arrangements, grid integration, storage requirements and the electricity needs of the planned industrial activities.
The connection between mining and renewable energy also reflects the growing importance of reliable, cost-effective power for industrial development. Mining operations require energy for extraction, processing, ventilation, transport and other activities, while manufacturing facilities depend on stable electricity to maintain production. Integrating renewable energy and battery storage into industrial planning could help diversify electricity supply and support more efficient operations. The proposed project would need to demonstrate that its design and costs meet the requirements of the industrial campus and any connected users. Until the relevant assessments are completed, the scale and commercial viability of the proposed arrangement remain to be established.
Another initiative under consideration is a mining intelligence platform designed to identify procurement opportunities across the region. Such a platform could help businesses understand what mining companies need, which products and services are purchased locally and where regional suppliers could meet existing demand. Better access to procurement information can help manufacturers plan production, engineering firms identify potential contracts and smaller businesses prepare to enter supply chains. It could also make it easier for companies in Botswana and Zambia to identify commercial partners and explore opportunities in neighbouring markets. For the platform to deliver practical benefits, it would need accurate information, regular updates and participation from mining companies, suppliers and relevant public institutions.
A proposed mineral traceability system is another element of the cooperation agenda. Mineral traceability involves recording and tracking information about minerals as they move through different stages of production, processing and distribution. Depending on its design, such a system could help improve supply chain transparency, strengthen record-keeping and make it easier to verify the origin and movement of mineral products. Reliable traceability can be particularly important for companies seeking to meet regulatory requirements and demonstrate responsible sourcing practices. A regional system would require agreement on data standards, verification procedures, information access and the responsibilities of participating organisations. Its effectiveness would depend on the quality of the information collected and the ability of businesses and authorities to maintain accurate records.
Skills development is also central to the proposed mining cooperation between Botswana and Zambia. Manufacturing equipment, processing minerals and maintaining advanced industrial systems require workers with appropriate technical knowledge and practical experience. Cooperation between companies, training institutions and government agencies could help develop programmes in engineering, equipment maintenance, manufacturing and other specialised fields. Skills transfer could also allow workers and local businesses to build expertise through joint projects and technical partnerships. Developing this capacity would help ensure that industrial investment creates opportunities for local workers rather than depending primarily on external specialists.
The development of local mining suppliers could provide another important economic benefit. Mining companies purchase a wide range of goods and services, including equipment, spare parts, engineering work, transport and technical support. When local businesses can meet these needs at competitive prices and appropriate quality standards, more spending can remain within the regional economy. Stronger supplier networks can also encourage entrepreneurship and help small and medium-sized enterprises expand their operations. Nevertheless, local procurement policies and regional supply chains must be supported by reliable production capacity, access to finance, technical standards and efficient logistics if they are to compete successfully with established international suppliers.
Reducing dependence on imported mining equipment and services is one of the broader objectives of the proposed collaboration. Imports will continue to be necessary for products that cannot be produced competitively within the region, particularly where advanced technology or specialised manufacturing capabilities are required. However, regional production of suitable equipment and components could create alternatives for mining companies and improve access to maintenance services. It could also reduce some supply risks associated with long delivery times and international transport disruptions. The extent of these benefits would depend on identifying products that regional manufacturers can supply reliably and at commercially sustainable prices.
The Zambia Mining and Investment Insaka 2026 provided a platform for discussing how mineral resources can support wider economic development across Southern Africa. Kenewendo’s remarks placed emphasis on practical cooperation rather than treating mining as an isolated industry. The proposed industrial campus, renewable energy project, mining intelligence platform and mineral traceability system represent different ways to connect resource extraction with manufacturing, technology and regional business development. Each initiative would require further planning, investment and coordination before its potential impact could be determined. Their progress will depend on whether the countries and participating businesses can turn the proposals into viable projects with clear responsibilities and measurable outcomes.
Stronger mining cooperation between Botswana and Zambia could contribute to a more integrated regional economy by supporting manufacturing, technical skills and the development of local suppliers. The focus on mineral value addition reflects an ambition to create more jobs and retain a greater share of the economic benefits generated by Africa’s mineral resources. Proposed investments in mining equipment manufacturing, mineral processing, solar energy and battery storage could help provide the industrial foundations needed for this transition. Meanwhile, procurement intelligence and mineral traceability could improve business opportunities and strengthen supply chain transparency. If technical assessments, commercial planning and regional coordination support the proposals, the initiative could help Botswana, Zambia and their neighbours build stronger mining industries that create more value within the region.
