· Tsaone Segaetsho
The fifth edition of the Kasane Business Expo is set to shine a spotlight on Chobe’s growing entrepreneurial landscape, as organisers seek to broaden the region’s economic narrative beyond its globally renowned tourism industry.
Scheduled for 4–5 September 2026 at Bogolo Junction Mall in Kazungula, the two-day Expo will bring together emerging and established businesses, government institutions, investors and other stakeholders to showcase the diversity of enterprise taking shape across the region.
While Chobe remains one of Botswana’s most prominent tourism destinations, organisers say this year’s Expo will highlight another increasingly important component of the regional economy – its entrepreneurs, innovators and businesses operating across a range of sectors.
The event will place particular emphasis on improving market access and strengthening business networks, providing local enterprises with a platform to showcase their products and services, connect with potential customers and partners, and explore new opportunities for growth.
Director of Yebo Travel and Tours and one of the Expo organisers, Elsie Mosweu, said the initiative seeks to challenge the perception that Chobe’s economic potential is centred solely on tourism.
“Chobe is more than just a tourism destination. We have entrepreneurs and businesses across different sectors doing excellent work, but many lack the exposure and market access needed to grow,” Mosweu said.
The Expo is expected to attract businesses operating in tourism, agriculture, retail, cross-border trade and other sectors, while creating opportunities for greater collaboration and partnerships between enterprises.
Its location in Kazungula also places the event within one of Botswana’s most strategically positioned economic corridors, where tourism, trade and cross-border commercial activity converge.
The programme will feature business exhibitions, business-to-business engagements and interactions with government and public institutions. Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Tiroaone Ntsima, is expected to deliver the keynote address during the opening session.
Organisers also expect discussions to explore some of the practical challenges confronting small and growing businesses, including access to finance, government procurement opportunities, skills development, market access and other barriers to expansion.
Beyond providing exhibition space, Mosweu said the broader ambition is to create sustainable commercial relationships and opportunities that continue beyond the two-day event.
The Expo therefore seeks to position itself not only as a showcase for Chobe-based enterprises, but as a platform through which businesses can build networks, access new markets and strengthen their prospects for sustainable growth.
Businesses interested in participating have been encouraged to secure the remaining exhibition spaces and leverage the platform to increase their visibility and establish new commercial connections.
As Chobe continues to build on its reputation as one of Botswana’s leading tourism destinations, the Kasane Business Expo is seeking to demonstrate that the region’s economic story is increasingly being shaped by a much broader community of entrepreneurs and enterprises.
