Gaborone – His Excellency Mr. Austin Gormley, High Commissioner of Ireland to South Africa, paid a courtesy call on the Vice President of the Republic of Botswana, Mr. Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe, earlier today. The high-level meeting underscored the growing momentum in Botswana-Ireland relations and focused on strategic areas for collaboration in support of Botswana’s long-term development agenda.
During their engagement, Vice President Gaolathe and High Commissioner Gormley held productive discussions centred on renewable energy, smart grid systems, digital innovation, and investment in data centre infrastructure. Both parties expressed keen interest in leveraging technology and sustainable solutions to drive economic transformation in Botswana.
A major point of discussion was Botswana’s commitment to economic diversification beyond diamonds. The Vice President emphasized the country’s efforts to position itself as a regional logistics and innovation hub, supported by modern infrastructure and future-ready skills.
“Botswana’s development goals are centred on creating a knowledge-based economy that is inclusive, resilient, and globally competitive,” Vice President Gaolathe said. “The areas discussed today reflect strong alignment with our national priorities.”
Mr. Gormley acknowledged Botswana’s forward-looking strategy and reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to being a valuable partner in this journey. He emphasized the importance of knowledge exchange, technical cooperation, and people-to-people connections in building impactful partnerships.
“We see tremendous potential for collaboration, particularly in strengthening technical and vocational education, advancing STEM fields, and nurturing entrepreneurship among Botswana’s youth,” said High Commissioner Gormley. “Ireland is ready to work hand-in-hand with Botswana to support inclusive growth and sustainable development.”
The meeting also explored ways to deepen economic diplomacy between the two nations, with a shared focus on innovation, climate-smart solutions, and regional trade connectivity.
Today’s visit by High Commissioner Gormley marks a continued deepening of ties between Botswana and Ireland, paving the way for targeted partnerships that support skills development, green growth, and long-term prosperity.
