Global Expo Botswana 2025 & Pula Investment Conference

Day One Report –

Date: Wednesday, 8 October 2025

Venue: Botswana Conference & Exhibition Centre, Gaborone

Theme: “Unlocking Botswana’s Potential: Partnerships for Sustainable Growth”

1. Introduction and Representation

Farmer’s Pride International (FPI), in partnership with Hunter’s Global Network (HGN), proudly participated in the opening day of the Global Expo Botswana 2025, officially inaugurated by His Excellency President Advocate Duma G. Boko and Hon. Tiroeaone Ntsima, Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship.

I, Hunter – Executive President of Farmer’s Pride International and Hunter’s Global Network, attended this opening to represent our extensive network of agricultural clusters, value-adding enterprises, and agro-export partners across Botswana and the Southern African region.

Our presence at this premier investment platform signifies FPI and HGN’s deep alignment with Botswana’s national development vision and our shared determination to integrate agriculture, technology, and investment in advancing the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP).

Through this participation, FPI and HGN sought to:

• Showcase the Rural and Urban Agriculture Innovative Production Program (RUAIPP) and the Agriculture-Based Cluster (ABC) Model as frameworks for national employment and export diversification;
• Strengthen collaborations for value addition, sustainable farming, and agro-industrial development;
• Position FPI’s Moringa Value Chain Project as a model for climate-smart agriculture, social impact, and export-led economic growth;
• Network with investors, development agencies, and policymakers for joint implementation of regional projects aligned with Vision 2036, AfCFTA, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The participation of FPI and HGN at this global platform reaffirmed our standing as strategic partners to the Government of Botswana in transforming agriculture from subsistence to enterprise, and from local productivity to global competitiveness.

2. Opening Ceremony Overview

The opening ceremony drew a distinguished audience comprising government officials, private sector leaders, diplomats, development partners, and entrepreneurs. The Investor Deal Book was officially unveiled, containing 66 vetted, investment-ready projects—52 from the private sector and 14 from public institutions.

Among the public-private initiatives highlighted by the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship were projects that successfully advanced through the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP), including the Farmer’s Pride International (FPI) Moringa Project, which has emerged as one of the country’s most promising green and export-driven ventures.

The Ministry’s showcase of BETP projects symbolized a critical shift: from policy development to tangible implementation and measurable outcomes. It validated Botswana’s ability to incubate home-grown solutions that meet global investment standards and are positioned for export and industrialization.

3. Presidential Keynote Address – His Excellency President Advocate Duma G. Boko

3.1 A Call for Bold Transformation

Delivering the keynote address, President Duma G. Boko described the 2025 Global Expo and Pula Investment Conference as a defining moment in Botswana’s economic renewal, marking the country’s transition from dependency to diversification.

He stated:

“This marks a pivotal moment in our efforts to catalyse sustainable economic growth and long-term partnerships.”

President Boko affirmed that Botswana must reduce its dependency on the diamond sector and move decisively into agriculture, manufacturing, technology, and renewable energy, emphasizing that diversification is not just policy—it is survival.

He also congratulated the Ministry of Trade for presenting BETP-certified projects, including Farmer’s Pride International’s Moringa Value Chain Initiative, as real evidence of what transformative policy can achieve when aligned with innovation and private sector leadership.

3.2 Economic Milestones

The President reported that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows have risen sharply—from US $1.98 billion in 2023 to US $4.67 billion in 2024—indicating renewed investor confidence and the success of policy reforms led by the current administration.

He applauded the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) for curating the Investor Deal Book and providing credible, bankable projects that represent Botswana’s readiness to absorb sustainable investment.

3.3 Openness, Governance, and Dialogue

In a moment that captured the spirit of democratic leadership, President Boko declared:

“I am both a rebel and a truth seeker. How can I fear disagreement? Feel free to disagree with me.”

This sentiment underscored his belief that development requires open dialogue, collaboration, and intellectual honesty. It also aligned with FPI and HGN’s participatory ethos—where innovation thrives through transparency, dialogue, and inclusion.

3.4 Framing Botswana’s New Era

The President concluded by framing Botswana as a nation on the threshold of a new era—driven by bold investments, strong partnerships, and sustainable innovation. He called for all attending investors and development partners to “convert ideas into measurable outcomes,” emphasizing that this Expo must deliver results, not promises.

4. Ministerial Address – Hon. Tiroeaone Ntsima (Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship)

4.1 National Vision and Economic Strength

In his official opening remarks, Minister Tiroeaone Ntsima reaffirmed Botswana’s status as one of Africa’s most stable, transparent, and investor-friendly environments. He credited this to sound governance, a robust legal system, and macroeconomic stability.

He underscored that the 2025 Global Expo is more than an event—it is a platform for economic diplomacy, where government and business communities connect to drive inclusive growth.

4.2 Showcase of BETP Projects and FPI’s Role

The Minister proudly highlighted that the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship had used the Expo to showcase projects developed under the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP)—a national initiative designed to fast-track diversification and industrialization.

Among these high-impact projects, he singled out the Farmer’s Pride International (FPI) Moringa Project, recognizing it as a model for sustainable agriculture, value addition, and rural industrialization.

He described it as a living example of how local enterprises can build export-ready, climate-resilient agricultural value chains, aligning perfectly with government objectives for employment creation, women and youth empowerment, and sustainable land management.

4.3 Botswana’s Global Trade Advantage

Minister Ntsima also emphasized Botswana’s strategic positioning within the regional and continental markets:

“Through SADC, SACU, and AfCFTA, Botswana offers investors a gateway to a market of more than 1.3 billion people.”

He reiterated government’s commitment to removing trade barriers, accelerating export certification, and strengthening the industrial base through partnerships with credible private players such as Farmer’s Pride International and Hunter’s Global Network.

4.4 Policy Commitment and Collaboration

The Minister assured investors that the government is committed to reforming trade regulations and aligning industrial policy with modern global standards. He invited stakeholders to engage fully in deal rooms, investment forums, and matchmaking sessions, emphasizing that Botswana is open for business—and ready for transformation.

5. Significance to Farmer’s Pride International (FPI) and Hunter’s Global Network (HGN)

FPI’s inclusion among BETP-featured projects and the recognition of its Moringa initiative at this national platform marks a historic milestone. It validates years of research, training, and mobilization across the Agriculture-Based Clusters (ABCs) and demonstrates how community-driven innovation can scale into national policy relevance.

For FPI and HGN, this event:

• Cemented our role as leading implementers of Botswana’s agricultural transformation agenda;
• Opened new avenues for partnerships in climate-smart agriculture, organic certification, and renewable energy integration;
• Enhanced visibility before investors, donors, and government agencies, paving the way for the expansion of our Moringa, potato, and oilseed projects;
• Reinforced FPI’s alignment with the SDGs, particularly Goals 2 (Zero Hunger), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action).

6. Observations from Day One

1. Government Commitment:
   Strong signals from both the President and Minister affirm that Botswana is entering a results-oriented phase of policy execution.
2. Policy-Private Sector Synergy:
   The inclusion of BETP projects, especially FPI’s Moringa initiative, illustrates a new model of collaboration between public policy and private entrepreneurship.
3. Investor Confidence and Regional Positioning:
   Botswana’s strategic leverage under AfCFTA and SADC makes it an ideal base for regional export and agro-processing ventures.
4. Alignment with FPI-HGN Vision:
   The government’s focus on agriculture, renewable energy, and value addition mirrors FPI-HGN’s mission to scale up production and trade across Africa through sustainable systems.

7. Conclusion:

Day One of the Global Expo Botswana 2025 and Pula Investment Conference has set a precedent for the practical realization of Botswana’s diversification agenda. The leadership of President Advocate Duma G. Boko and Minister Tiroeaone Ntsima demonstrated political will and foresight in turning Botswana’s economic aspirations into actionable outcomes.

For Farmer’s Pride International and Hunter’s Global Network, this day was a defining moment of recognition—our Moringa Value Chain Project, developed under the BETP framework, stood as a model of how agriculture can drive transformation, resilience, and industrialization.

FPI and HGN remain committed to working alongside the Government of Botswana, investors, and international partners to accelerate inclusive growth, promote youth and women participation, and build Africa’s next generation of green, profitable, and export-driven agriculture.