Botswana has encouraged Zimbabwean businesses to take advantage of its International Financial Services Centre (Botswana IFSC) to expand their investment portfolios and contribute to the country's economic growth.

At the Botswana IFSC business forum in Harare this week, Botswana's ambassador to Zimbabwe, Sarah Sithabile Molosiwa, urged businesses to seize the opportunities provided by her country.

“Botswana offers economic and market stability, attracting foreign direct investment. Our country has a mature democracy, good governance, a stable political and macroeconomic environment and an open economy with attractive tax regulations,” Molosiwa stated.

“We encourage you to consider Botswana as the best alternative destination for expanding your businesses. Our strong regulatory frameworks and transparent institutions make us Africa’s most transparent economy.”

She also urged businesses to take advantage of the bilateral trade agreement and the double tax avoidance agreement, which simplify trade and investment between the two countries.

“The bilateral trade agreement between Botswana and Zimbabwe grants exemptions from customs duties and meets the minimum local content requirement of 25%. The double tax avoidance agreement signed in February 2028 provides a comparative advantage for companies to expand operations seamlessly,” she said.

She expressed optimism about seeing more Zimbabwean businesses expanding into Botswana and added that Botswana is committed to using its diplomatic resources to enhance cross-border trade and investment.

“Let us engage with the embassy to facilitate seamless entry into the Botswana market through the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre services. Today’s discussions will bear fruit in improving trade and investment relations between our countries,” Botswana's ambassador to Zimbabwe added.

Furthermore, Botswana IFSC director Moshie Ratsebe highlighted that Botswana has maintained steady economic growth, effectively managed its macroeconomic environment, and possesses a robust balance sheet with a net external credit position, which would be highly advantageous for Zimbabwe.

“Our monetary policy rate is 2.15%, making credit affordable. We import more than we export, spending a lot on foreign exchange, particularly food. We believe Zimbabwe’s productive capacity in agriculture can help us produce locally and feed our people,” Ratsebe said.

“We have sustained economic growth, managed our macroeconomic environment well and have a strong balance sheet with a net external credit position. We expect current account surpluses up to 2027.”