Special Economic Zones

  • Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (SSKIA) - Mixed Use

    SSKIA SEZ – A WORLD CLASS SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE

    The Sir Seretse Khama International Airport Special Economic Zone (SSKIA SEZ) is a world class special economic zone and the flagship of the country’s Special Economic Zones. An Airport City development is earmarked for this zone. It is investor friendly and ecologically sustainable. This attractive international investment location has been designated as a mixed zone primarily focusing on the following sectors;

      • Diamond Beneficiation (Diamond Polishing, Jewellery)
    • Specialist Automotive
    • Aerospace and Aviation
    • Cargo, Freight and Logistics
    • Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices
    • Engineering and Electronic Equipment
    • Plastics – Injection Moulding
    • Agro processing

    The zone is strategically located for business, adjacent to Botswana’s largest airport, the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport. The airport links the zone to international destinations and markets.
    Road/Rail Connection
    The regional cross roads system of the A1 and A12 links the zone to neighbouring international markets. There is a railway line linking the zone to markets in South Africa, to the south, Zimbabwe and Zambia to the north.
    These air/road/rail connections ease movement of goods to international markets, for the ultimate convenience of investors.
    The SSKIA SEZ covers an area of over 800 hectares. Boulevard One, phase one of this development, is 100 hectares in size and offers investors a range of sites and factory locations.
    Existing Business
    Debswana Diamond Company Head Office
    Debswana is one of the world’s leading diamond producers by value and volume.
    Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB)
    Diamond Trading Company Botswana is a world leading diamond sorting and valuing company.
    Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS)
    Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) is the official body responsible for standardization and quality assurance in the country. BOBS is also a full member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the national contact point for all regional programmes and Standardization and Quality Assurance.
    Bank of Botswana
    A wing of the central bank is also resident in the SSKIA SEZ.
    The Botswana Innovation Hub
    Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH) is developing the capital centre of technology based innovation and entrepreneurship at the country’s first state-of-the-art Science and Technology Park. BIH is building opportunities in tenancy, membership and a globally-connected innovation ecosystem. Botswana Innovation Hub promotes technology entrepreneurship, research and development as well as technology transfer in order to create knowledge based jobs and attract innovation-led business and investments into Botswana.
    The Botswana Innovation Hub has a bouquet of incentives for companies and institutions that are interested in setting up within the Science and Technology Park. Investors will have flexibility in importing labour, a competitive telecommunications package and eligibility to the Innovation Fund.
    The Diamond Hub (Diamond Technology Park)
    The Diamond Technology Park was developed in compliance with the standards of the international diamond industry and all other associated key stakeholders in pursuit of Botswana’s vision for the establishment of a downstream diamond industry.
    The Diamond Technology Park offers a highly secure environment for the cluster of blue chip tenants and government departments.
    Tenants include some of the world’s leading diamond companies with superior levels of expertise and experience. These include companies that service the diamond manufacturing industry such as international courier companies, DTC Sightholders, The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Mining houses, Jewellery Manufacturers, Brokers, Consultants, The Government Diamond Offices and The Botswana Police.

    Property Solutions in the SSKIA SEZ
    Office Space
    A highly secure centre of excellence with a total lettable area of 7,876 sqm of office space in three offerings through The Atrium Building, The Bourse Building and GIA Centre Building.
    The Atrium

    Lettable Space: 2,094 sqm
    Type of Tenants: Support service providers to the diamond industry such as courier companies, brokers and the Botswana Diamond Office.
    All Botswana’s diamond imports and exports are documented, facilitated and authorized from the Atrium.
    The Bourse Building

    Lettable space: 1,442 sqm
    Types of Tenants: Diamond Marketing and Consulting Companies.
    GIA Centre

    Lettable space: 4,340 sqm
    Tenants: Gemological Institute of America, Diamond Training Academies, Diamond Brokers, Consultants and Mining Houses
    Factory Shells
    Also available for lease in this area are factory shells owned by Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC).

    Latest Developments
    A Master plan for the SSKIA SEZ has been completed.
    A tender for the design and build of the Boulevard One Road has been awarded and construction work has started.
    The project will entail construction of a 1.8 kilometre six lane dual carriageway (with three lanes going either way) which will provide a gateway into Phase 1 of the SSKIA-SEZ where it meets with Airport Road. The project will also include an international standard iconic entrance, a design scheme for provision of underground services like water, Fibre, power, smart city ducting and CCTV.

    SSKIA SEZ -MASTER PLAN

    The Master Plan for Sir Seretse Khama International Airport Special Economic Zone (SSKIA SEZ) has been completed. The following are some highlights;
    The zone is designed to be a “Live, Work and Play” environment.
    The area has been divided into interconnected precincts as follows;
    • SSKIA Business Support Centre
    An expansion of the Airport Business Node to accommodate expanded airport business, hotels, conferencing, airline corporate offices, car hire, parking and staff housing.

    • SEZ Support Precinct

    A technical and administrative business support node focused around a high quality public space and accessible to all other precincts to provide for centralised temporary and permanent office space, conferencing and meeting spaces, ICT technical services, Call Centres, Business Support Centres for training and Government services.

    • “Edge City”

    A mixed use high intensity precinct that includes retail, offices, some social facilities and high density residential uses that provides some support to economic precincts in the SEZ, and provides an appropriate interface with the residential expansion of the city.

    • Industry (East)

    A manufacturing or industry “heart” between the various other clusters to cater for a clean industry zone with development controls enabling an efficient and high quality industrial zone.

    • Logistics

    Expansion and support of the existing Cargo Terminal through the provision of space for a Logistics Services Corridor related to air and other modes of transportation.

    • Techno Park (East)
    A multi-purpose expansion area allied to the existing Innovation Hub and Diamond Precincts, focused on high-tech research, related manufacturing and ICT development agencies.

    • SEZ Urban Village
    A mixed use medium to high density residential village (+- 100 units per hectare) with some supporting local level social facilities and local level commercial activity located along the proposed Ring Road to interface and integrate with surrounding residential and mixed use development but also to provide well located housing for staff employed in the SEZ.

    • Agri-industry
    Agriculture and agri-processing including horticulture, aqua-culture and floriculture are ideally suited to this sub-precinct where they can benefit from planned water recycling initiative.

    • SSKIA Airport (as per CAAB Masterplan)
    An international Airport comprising Airside (runways, taxiways and aprons) and Airport Facilities (passenger terminal buildings, cargo terminals, all the other buildings and structures which are necessary at a large airport)

    • Airport Support (as per CAAB Masterplan)
    An area reserved for the expansion of the Airport Facilities for SSKIA east of the proposed new Terminal buildings.

  • TULI BLOCK - Agropolis

    TULI BLOCK SEZ – AN AGRO BUSINESS HUB

    Tuli Block specializes in:

    • Horticulture Production
    • Agro Processing

    Lying on some of Botswana’s most fertile soils, Tuli Block Special Economic Zone is an arable and horticultural farming mecca.

    Road Connectivity

    Tuli Block has good road connections to the main routes, easing access to regional and international markets. This SEZ has telephone connectivity too.

    Lifestyle

    A relaxed farming style environment coupled with a thriving tourism component.

    Latest Developments

    Master Plan

    Plans to master plan the area are under way.

  • Lobatse - Meat and Leather

    MEAT & LEATHER CITY
    Lobatse is home to Botswana Meat Commission (BMC), the country’s largest abattoir which slaughters and exports beef mainly to the European Union. The 368ha SEZ is an Agropolis that focuses on the processing of meat and leather.
    INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
    • MANUFACTURING
    Processing of beef, lamb, goat, poultry, pork, fish, etc.
    Leather processing into various finished products – shoes, upholstery for car seats & furniture, bags, etc.
    Biotechnology
    Dairy processing
    Textile industry
    Ceramic products
    • COMMERCIAL
    ≥5* Hotels
    High end malls
    High end residential areas
    Recreational facilities
    Banking Services
    • WAREHOUSING & LOGISTICS
    Warehousing
    Transport & logistics
    Distribution Centres
    KEY RAW MATERIALS
    Cattle ≥ 1,000,000 Sheep ≥ 240,000 Goat ≥ 1,200,00 Pigs ≥ 16,000 Chicken
    Salt & Soda ash
    Slate
    Asphalt
    Clay
    EXTERNAL INFRASTRUCTURE
    Total capacity of 90MVA and current load about 30MVA, hence a surplus of 60MVA
    Internet = 5Mbps,10Mbps,25Mbps & 50Mbps.
    CONNECTIVITY
    Railway line:
    From South Africa (Ramatlabama) to Zimbabwe (Ramokgwebana)
    Road network:
    Along the A1 to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia and further afield into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
    Lobatse is located at the intersection of the Trans Kalahari Highway, connecting Botswana to Namibia in the west, and the A1 major road to Zimbabwe and Zambia to the North.
    Air:
    Lobatse is located only 75 km south of the capital, Gaborone, an hour’s drive away from the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (SSKIA).
    Sea:
    The town is strategically located near two border posts to South Africa, the Pioneer and Ramatlabama Border Gates, making it easier to access markets and ports in South Africa.
    GABCON (Dry Port)
    Durban Port, Walvis Port,
    Access to Maputo, Beira port
    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
    Master Planning – completed Oct. 2021
    Phase One (A) (35ha) – Leather Park – Detailed Engineering Designs and land servicing – awarded to Development Manager
    Phase One Plots: Industrial = 72 (90.5ha). Commercial = 12 (9.5ha)
    Head Lease Rate: Industrial = P350/sqm. Commercial = market rate
    Lease Period = 50 – 99 years renewable
    PPP Feasibility Study shows that the SEZ is economically and financially feasible for a PPP development

  • FAIRGROUNDS - International Finance & Technology

    FAIRGROUNDS SEZ  – A LEADING FINANCIAL SERVICES CENTRE

    The Fairgrounds Special Economic Zone is a leading financial services centre. It is located in the city of Gaborone, the country’s capital, a few minutes’ drive to the Sir Seretse International Airport, which eases international air travel. Investors have access to the best amenities the country has on offer such as schools, health facilities, recreational facilities and entertainment centres. It covers an area of about 120 hectares.

    Fairgrounds SEZ is the perfect destination for investors in the following categories;

    • Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO)
    • Investment Fund Management
    • International Banking Products and Services
    • International Insurance
    • Other Fintech Services
    • International Marketing Operations
    • African Headquarters for FDI

    Existing Businesses within the Fairgrounds SEZ

    Some key occupants of the zone include;

    • Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE)

    Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) is the country’s sole stock exchange with the responsibility to operate and regulate the securities market.

    • Botswana Development Corporation (BDC)

    Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) ’s primary mandate is to drive the industrialisation of the country by providing financial assistance to investors with commercially viable projects. BDC provides both debt and equity financing to commercially viable projects that perform one or more of the following functions:

    • Pioneer new industries
    • Unlock value in existing industries
    • Stimulate private sector growth and foster linkages with the local and foreign investors
    • Botswana Accountancy College (BAC)

    Botswana Accountancy College (BAC) is the country’s business school offering international business and finance courses.

     The Fairgrounds Holdings

    The company is a key player in offering versatile venues for meetings, events, conferences, fairs and exhibitions space for up to 10 000 indoor seater.

    Latest Developments

    Master Plan

    Currently, a Master Plan is being developed for the zone and is expected to be completed in August 2020.

  • PANDAMATENGA - Agropolis

    AGROPOLIS SEZ
    The 96 607ha SEZ is located in Pandamatenga, focusing on agro-production and processing of cereals, legumes, fruits, etc. into various finished products
    >Agro production = 96 500ha
    >56 500ha under production
    >40 000ha set aside for future expansion
    >25 000ha to be irrigated)
    >107ha set aside for agro – processing

    INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
    • AGRO PROCESSING
    Cereal processing
    production of edible Oil Sugar production
    Beverage production
    Fiber & Textile processing
    Dairy processing
    Biofuel & Biochemical processing
    Fertiliser production

    COMMERCIAL
    ≥5* Hotels
    High end malls
    High end residential areas
    Recreational facilities
    Banking Services
    Water transfer scheme
    Farm infrastructure development

    WAREHOUSING & LOGISTICS
    Warehousing
    Transport & logistics
    Distribution Centres

    KEY RAW MATERIALS
    Maize-18,000 tons
    Sorghum-5,000 tons
    Millet-3,000 tons
    Pulses – 583 Mt

    EXTERNAL INFRASTRUCTURE:
    Electricity: 33kv transmission line
    Internet = 5Mbps,10Mbps,25Mbps & 50Mbps.
    18 x 5 000 (90 000) Mt grain silos operational on site

    CONNECTIVITY
    Rail:
    Mosetse–Kazungula–Livingstone Railway at feasibility stage

    Road:
    Pandamatenga lies on the road linking Botswana to Zambia, Zimbabwe and Democratic Republic of Congo and the rest of East Africa (via Zambia).

    Sea:
    FRANCON (Dry Port)
    Durban Port
    Walvis Port
    Beira Port

    Air:
    Phillip Matante Int’l Airport

    LIFESTYLE
    Pandamatenga is only 100km from Kasane, the country’s tourism hub, where two perennial rivers, the mighty Zambezi and the majestic Chobe confluence.
    A distinct feature about Kasane is that it is the only place in the world where four countries meet (Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia).
    The gateway to Chobe National Park, Kasane is an essential point of debarkation for the nearby Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Livingstone in Zambia and Namibia’s Caprivi Strip. It is spread along the Chobe River banks, and widely known as the town where warthog, goats and cattle live happily within the community. Kasane boasts of an array of hotels, guest houses and campsites, as well as modern health facilities and an international airport. It also has new shopping malls where essential provisions can be purchased, along with arts and crafts. Visitors can plan flexible land and water-based activities, including morning and afternoon game drives and boat cruises.
    The beautiful Kasane is also host to the world-famous Chobe National Park, which is home to the big five and many other wildlife species.

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
    Master Plan (Business Case and Urban & Landscape Designs) to be developed during 2025/26 financial year.
    Head Lease Rate: Farm lots = TBD. Industrial = P350/sqm. Lease Period = 50 – 99 years renewable.
    Envisaged multi-billion Pula Zambezi Integrated Agro-Commercial Development Project (ZIACDP), through which water will be pumped from the Chobe-Zambezi River into the SEZ.
    PPP Feasibility Study shows that the SEZ is economically and financially feasible for a PPP development.

  • Greater Palapye - Energy

    RENEWABLE ENERGY
    The SEZ focuses on renewable energy (solar, wind, organic matter, etc.) and beneficiation of coal to oil, gas, and other products. The 468ha SEZ is considered the power hub of Botswana. Abundant coal reserves in the area position Palapye as the ideal investment destination for power generation and coal based chemical industries. Investors in Renewable Energy (mostly solar) or any other power generator can leverage on existing infrastructure to smoothly feed into the national power grid.

    INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

    Manufacturing
     Coal to Liquid (CTL) (Coal liquefaction – products such as liquid hydrocarbons, liquid fuels & petrochemicals)
     Carbon Fiber manufacturing
     Silicon metal,
     Activated carbon
     Bricks production
     Renewable energy

    Commercial
     ≥5* Hotels
     High end malls
     High end residential areas
     Recreational facilities
     Banking Services

    Key Raw Materials
     Coal +220billion tonnes
     Fly ash
     Bottom ash
     Boiler slag
     Flue gas desulphurization gypsum

    EXTERNAL INFRASTRUCTURE
    Electricity: 33kv transmission line
    Internet = 5Mbps,10Mbps,25Mbps & 50Mbps.

    LIFESTYLE
    With numerous huge shopping malls an airport in the works, Palapye is hailed as one of the most advanced and fastest growing urban centres in Botswana. It is also home to Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), leading corporates and mining operations.

    CONNECTIVITY

    Rail:
    The railway line from South Africa (Ramatlabama) to Zimbabwe (Ramokgwebana) passes through Palapye,

    Road:
    Network to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia & Namibia

    Sea:
    PALCON & FRANCON (Dry Port)
    Durban Port
    Walvis Port
    Beira port

    Air:
    Sir Seretse Khama Int’l Airport
    Phillip Matante Int’l Airport

  • FRANCISTOWN - Mixed Use

    MINING &LOGISTICS HUB
    Botswana’s second city, Francistown is a mixed use SEZ that is themed as a Mining & Logistics Hub, targeting various investment opportunities. The vision is to use the 1200ha to build the largest inland dry port in the country.

    INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
    • MANUFACTURING
    Mineral beneficiation
    Medical devices
    Pharmaceutical
    Automotive components
    Ceramic products
    Mining equipment & supplies
    Plant & machinery

    • COMMERCIAL
    ≥5* Hotels
    High end malls
    High end residential areas
    Recreational facilities
    Banking Services
    Medical parks
    Tech hub

    • WAREHOUSING & LOGISTICS
    Warehousing
    Air freight services
    Transport & logistics
    Distribution Centres

    AVAILABLE RAW MATERIALS
    Diamond production -24,479,000 Carats
    calcrete resource of +130million tonnes
    Copper -14,872 tons (Copper concentrate – 16,000 tons)
    Gold 113kgs
    Silver – 3,626tons,
    Manganese
    Salt & Soda ash
    Gold
    Nickel
    Slate
    Asphalt
    Clay
    Uranium, lead, and zinc reserves

    CONNECTIVITY
    Francistown is the economic hub of the mineral rich northern Botswana. Within a 200km radius of Francistown are bustling mining operations like Debswana Mines in Orapa; abundant copper resources in Mosetse and Selebi Phikwe as well as the Soda Ash Mine in Sowa Town. The city is home to Tati Nickel Mine and a few upcoming gold mining operations.

    Rail:
    The railway line from South Africa (Ramatlabama) to Zimbabwe (Ramokgwebana) passes through Francistown, with offshoot routes towards Sowa, Selebi-Phikwe, and Morupule.
    Another railway to go to Zambia through the Kazungula Bridge is on the cards.

    Air:
    Flights to local and international markets are available through the newly built Phillip Matante International Airport.

    Road network:
    Tarred road network to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia & DRC

    Sea:
    FRANCON (Dry Port)
    Durban Port
    Walvis Port,
    Access to Maputo, Beira port

  • SELEBI PHIKWE - Mixed Use

    This is a mixed use SEZ focused on base metal beneficiation. The SEZ, located in the mining town of Selebi Phikwe, measures 1240ha.
    INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
    • MANUFACTURING
     Battery manufacturing
     Automotive components
     Construction Equipment
     Copper Nickel Refinery- Cabling and Wiring
     Iron Ore Refinery – Industrial equipment & Structural Steel incl. Stainless Steel Manufacturing, Metal Alloys Manufacturing
     Electrical and electronic
    • COMMERCIAL
     ≥5* Hotels
     High end malls
     High end residential areas
     Recreational facilities
     Banking Services
    • WAREHOUSING & LOGISTICS
     Warehousing
     Air freight services
     Transport & logistics
     Distribution Centres
    KEY RAW MATERIALS AVAILABLE:
     Copper -14,872 tons (Copper concentrate – 16,000 tons)
     Gold 113kgs
     Silver – 3,626tons Manganese
     Nickel
     uranium, lead, and zinc reserves
    EXTERNAL INFRASTRUCTURE
     Electricity: 33kv transmission line
     Internet = 5Mbps,10Mbps,25Mbps & 50Mbps.
     Portable water available
    CONNECTIVITY
    Rail:
    From Selebi Phikwe connects to main railway to South Africa and Zimbabwe
    Road:
    Established road network to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
    Sea:
    FRANCON (Dry Port)
    Durban Port
    Walvis Port
    Beira, port
    Air:
    Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (SSKIA)
    Phillip Matante Int’l Airport

  • SOWA TOWN - Salt & Soda City

    CHEMICAL MANUFACTURING HUB
    This SEZ primarily focuses on the beneficiation of salt & soda. The size of the SEZ is 100ha with the possibility of increasing to 200ha.

    INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES (BASED ON AVAILABLE RAW MATERIALS)
    • 650,000+ tonnes of salt
     Food industry
     Chemical production
     Animal feed
     Pharmaceuticals
     Cosmetics
     Water treatment & purification
    • 300,000+ tonnes of soda ash
     Glass manufacturing
     Fertilizer production
     Chemical industry
     Detergents
    • 25million+ tonnes of silica
     Glass manufacturing
     Ceramic
    • 61.8 million+ tonnes of limestone
     Cement production
     Agriculture & soil stabilization: Neutralize soil acidity & supply plants nutrient
    Sandstone
    Can be used as liners for steel furnaces; as building stone; as an abrasive; for golf-course trap sand; and in making glass, computer chips, fiberglass, TV screens, and paint.
    External infrastructure
    Electricity: 33kv transmission line
    Internet: 5Mbps,10Mbps,25Mbps & 50Mbps
    Connectivity
    Rail:
    Sowa railway line connects to main line to South Africa and Zimbabwe
    Road:
    A32 connects to A3 Freeway which links to Kasane, Maun and DRC to the West
    A3 connects to A1 freeway in Francistown, which links to Zimbabwe to the north and RSA to the south.
    Sea:
    FRANCON (Dry Port)
    Durban Port
    Walvis Port
    Air:
    Sua Pan Private Airstrip
    Phillip Matante Int’l Airport (Francistown)