After 42 months, the highly successful EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Implementation Support Programme in Botswana concluded in July 2024.

Funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by GOPA Worldwide Consultants in consortium with GOPA AFC & JVL Consulting, the Programme aimed to promote export-led economic diversification and growth in Botswana, improving employment in targeted value chains. It was coordinated with the EU Delegation to Botswana and SADC, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and various partners.

Targeted results included: 

• Increased communication and visibility of the EU-SADC EPA, highlighting opportunities to increase regional and multilateral trade.

• Increased export diversification in prioritised non-mining value chains, promoting women and youth empowerment.

• Strengthened public and private sector capacity in export promotion and linking trade to inward investment. 

The Programme notably improved Botswana's production environment for EU import requirements for boneless beef, developing controls for foot-and-mouth disease, adopting commodity-based trade in red zones, and implementing Good Manufacturing Practices, Good Hygiene Practices, and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point systems in abattoirs.

National attention was also gained for supporting Botswana's citrus industry and assisting SME farmers in achieving GLOBALG.A.P certification. Additionally, the Botswana National Veterinary Laboratory received testing equipment worth approximately €475,000 for animal-origin food imports.

In trade and investment promotion, the Programme developed the Botswana National Branding Strategy, facilitated SME participation in the BIOFACH & VIVENESS organic trade fair in Germany, organised the first EU-Botswana Business Forum, and supported EU participation in yearly Global Expos.