- Tsaone Segaetsho
Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) Chief Executive Officer, Keletsositse Olebile, has unveiled plans to facilitate two large-scale agribusiness developments valued at more than P1 billion, collectively projected to generate in excess of 4 000 jobs.
Speaking at the recent Agribusiness and Investment Forum, Olebile said BITC is advancing the expansion of the Selibe Phikwe Citrus Project into the villages of Robelela and Tshokwe, extending towards the Dikgatlhong Dam precinct. The expansion carries an estimated investment of P500 million and is expected to create more than 1 000 employment opportunities.
In parallel, BITC is facilitating the establishment of a major integrated poultry operation by Dr Henn Africa in Mogobane. The project, currently undergoing consultations, represents an investment of approximately US$60 million (over P600 million) and is projected to employ more than 3,000 people at full operational capacity. The development will encompass poultry breeding, broiler production, egg production and a dedicated slaughter facility.
Olebile noted that the inaugural agribusiness and investment conference coincides with the launch of BITC’s 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, anchored on a vision to transform Botswana into a vibrant, resilient and globally competitive economy.
He explained that the strategy has been crafted in alignment with Government pronouncements and the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP), positioning agribusiness investment as a cornerstone of economic and export diversification, enhanced food security and the long-term sustainability of rural economies.
Within the agricultural investment portfolio, BITC’s strategic focus is on attracting and facilitating high-impact, large-scale projects capable of delivering measurable socio-economic benefits to host communities while contributing meaningfully to national development.
Key sub-sector priorities include supporting Government ambitions to increase beef, dairy and small stock populations; scale up horticulture and cereal production; promote aquaculture; and expand agro-processing across value chains. Olebile underscored that BITC’s investment attraction model is firmly grounded in value chain development.
He further highlighted the implementation of a Local Economic Development (LED) initiative, through which BITC is assisting districts to formulate LED strategies, identify and profile investment-ready opportunities, and undertake targeted investor engagement to catalyse project uptake.
“Within the LED framework, agribusiness opportunities across districts remain substantial and hold significant potential to uplift rural economies,” Olebile said.
In addition, BITC is leading a comprehensive review and development of investment incentives across all sectors, including agriculture. The exercise draws on global best practice while recognising the distinct characteristics and competitive dynamics of each sector.
