- Tsaone Segaetsho
Ukrainian Ambassador to Botswana, Dr Oleksiy Syvak, has urged Botswana to strengthen its economic resilience in the face of global disruptions, drawing lessons from Ukraine’s ability to sustain its economy amid the ongoing war with Russia, a conflict that has severely impacted the European nation’s logistics and export supply chains.
Speaking at the Botswana Supply Chain Summit in Gaborone on Wednesday, Syvak reflected on his country’s transformation under unprecedented circumstances. “Before the war of 2022, Ukraine was known as the breadbasket of Europe, exporting 80 million tonnes of grain and oilseeds to the world,” he said. “Wheat, corn, barley and sunflower oil reached 120 countries, including Botswana, which experienced supply disruptions and a significant increase in the prices of cooking oil and wheat.”
Botswana hosts both the Ukrainian and Russian embassies, maintaining diplomatic relations with the two nations currently at war. Exports from Ukraine to Botswana, typically shipped via European ports, have faced major interruptions due to blockades and logistical complications arising from the conflict.
Beyond the war itself, Syvak said Ukraine faces what he termed a “logistical war” with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, including Botswana, because of the complexities of supply chain routes. “The supply chain from Ukraine is a logistical challenge across the continent. This includes the maritime leg, Ukraine grain shipped via Odesa, Constanța or Gdańsk, which arrives at major African ports such as Durban, Maputo and Walvis Bay, all connected to Botswana,” he explained.
He added that from these ports, goods must travel overland to Botswana by rail or truck — a process fraught with inefficiencies. “These routes come with disadvantages and vulnerabilities, such as high inland transport costs that often exceed maritime freight costs. There is also the issue of underdeveloped road and rail infrastructure in parts of the region, and multiple border crossings that add time and expense,” Syvak noted.
The Ambassador shared that Ukraine’s response to the crisis was rooted in transformation and diversification. “Within months, engineers, farmers and diplomats reimagined the entire system. We diversified routes, negotiated transit corridors, and physically rebuilt rail and port infrastructure under fire,” he said.
Despite the devastation of war, Ukraine managed to rebound impressively.
“In less than a year, the country restored almost its pre-war export capacity, shipping 45 million tonnes of goods, including 30 million tonnes of agricultural products, to 38 countries, including Botswana,” Syvak revealed.
Drawing from Ukraine’s experience, Syvak urged Botswana to invest in flexibility rather than mere efficiency as it develops its logistics and trade systems. He commended Botswana’s political stability and central geographic position within SADC, describing these as assets that could transform the country into a regional logistics hub for inland grain storage, milling and packaging.
