Kinshasa, DRC – (African Boulevard News) – President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is on a four-day state visit to Botswana. His trip began on Monday, May 8th and will end on Thursday, May 11th. This visit seeks to explore and strengthen bilateral relations between the Congo and Botswana while also addressing issues of regional security.
On Wednesday, May 10th, President Tshisekedi visited the headquarters of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) where he discussed issues pertinent to the region. He emphasized the need for shared responsibility and cooperation in addressing security challenges within the region.
The president met with President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana on Tuesday, May 9th, where they discussed various topics. These included trade, investment, and issues centred on security, which are of great concern not only to Botswana but also to the entire region. The leaders agreed to work together to address these matters for the benefit of both countries.
The visit by the DRC president has been lauded by industry experts as a step in the right direction towards enhancing economic ties between the two countries. They indicate that Botswana and the DRC share many opportunities for deeper collaboration, particularly in the areas of trade, mining, and tourism.
“Botswana and Congo have great potential for bilateral trade that has yet to be tapped. There is enormous potential for the exports of mining products from Congo to Botswana, while Botswana can export its beef to Congo,” said one industry expert.
The DRC is home to some of the world’s largest copper and cobalt reserves, which are critical in the manufacturing of electronic devices. Botswana, on the other hand, is a leading producer of diamonds.
The Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) has, in the past, noted its keen interest in the DRC’s mining sector. During President Tshisekedi’s visit, BITC will showcase Botswana’s investment opportunities in the mining industry, including Polaris II, an investment-backed by De Beers in Botswana’s mining sector.
In sum, the talks between the leaders of DRC and Botswana signify a determination to strengthen bilateral relations and promote regional cooperation. The visit presents an opportunity for both countries to explore and forge partnerships that will benefit not only themselves but also the broader region.
As the visit concludes, it is expected that President Tshisekedi would have gained a better understanding of Botswana’s vision on regional security and the country’s investment potential. His visit to the SADC headquarters would have also laid the groundwork for future cooperation between the two countries within the regional bloc.
