President Ramaphosa to undertake State Visit to Republic of Botswana

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, undertake a State Visit to the Republic of Botswana which will culminate in the Sixth Session of the Botswana and South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Gaborone.

On the two-day State Visit occasion from 20 to 21 May, President Ramaphosa and President Gideon Duma Boko will co-chair the Summit of the Sixth Session of the South Africa-Botswana Bi-National Commission (BNC).

The Summit will be preceded by a Ministerial Meeting on 20 May 2026, and the Senior Officials Meeting.

The primary objective of the State Visit and BNC is to deepen and strengthen the existing bilateral partnership between the two countries.  

The Sixth Session of the BNC represents a critical opportunity to reinforce the strategic partnership between South Africa and Botswana. 

While the relationship remains strong, it is evolving in response to new economic realities and shifting global dynamics.

A Business Forum that will be held on the margins of the BNC will strengthen private sector collaboration and facilitate business-to-business exchanges. 

South Africa and Botswana share a historically grounded and mutually reinforcing relationship, rooted in solidarity during the liberation struggle, when Botswana provided support to South African freedom fighters. 

This legacy, combined with geographic proximity and shared cultural and linguistic ties, has shaped a durable partnership that continues to expand across multiple sectors.

The BNC serves as a central institutional mechanism through which this relationship is structured and advanced, enabling coordinated cooperation and sustained dialogue at political, technical, and economic levels.

Bilateral trade and investment remain the cornerstone of the economic cooperation between the two countries. South Africa is Botswana’s largest trading partner, accounting for over 50% of Botswana’s imports.

In 2025, total bilateral trade amounted to approximately R 82 billion, with South Africa exporting goods to the tune of R73.5 billion to Botswana and with imports from the country amounting to R7.7 billion. 

South Africa is also Botswana's largest supplier of agricultural products.

In 2025, of the country’s R15 billion agricultural imports, R14 billion were from South Africa. 

South Africa has a significant corporate presence in Botswana with more than 100 South African companies operating across key sectors, including in financial and banking services, retail and wholesale, mining and mineral beneficiation, infrastructure, construction and logistics, freight, manufacturing and automotive value chains as well as the hospitality and tourism industries. 

South Africa’s Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) such as the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) have also developed a pipeline of projects for financing in Botswana.

The DBSA’s aggregate portfolio of investments under consideration in Botswana represents a total project value of approximately R6.5 billion, demonstrating meaningful scale and impact.

The two countries will explore renewable energy opportunities in support of Botswana’s effort towards increasing renewable energy to 50 per cent by 2030, creating opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy, grid integration, and capacity building. 

The State Visit takes place against the backdrop of a political transition in Botswana, following the transition to a new administration in October 2024.

The State Visit signals the new government’s intention to consolidate relations with South Africa while maintaining continuity in bilateral engagement. It also offers South Africa an opportunity to strengthen its strategic relations with Botswana. 

It is envisaged that the two countries will, during the upcoming engagements focus on High Impact Priority Projects. A number of new agreements will also be signed during the visit. 

The State Visit and BNC schedule will take place as follows:

Date: Wednesday 20 May 2026
Time: 14h00
Venue: Royal Area Conference Centre, Tlokweng.
Media programme and social media streaming: (Subject to change)

Wednesday 20 May 2026 media programme: Day One

Airport arrival and State Visit ceremony: 15H00 (photo streaming)

Tour of the Botswana Vaccine Institute: 16h00 (photos/video streaming)

State Banquet: 19h00 

Thursday 21 May 2026 media programme: Day Two

Official Opening of the 6th Session of the Bi-National Commission: 10:00

(Media to be present for the opening session and thereafter exit)

Closing Ceremony of the Bi-National Commission: 13h00

Remarks by President Ramaphosa and by President Boko

Media engagement:
Photo opportunity for signing of Agreements
Media Q&A Session
Official photo opportunity
Departure (photos to be shared on social networks)

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya Spokesperson to the President, media@presideny.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria