28/07/2026
BOTSWANA EYES HIGH-VALUE GOJI BERRY CULTIVATION TO BOOST RURAL ECONOMY AND EXPORT GROWTH
Goji berries, a drought-resistant and salt-tolerant high-value crop, are emerging as a promising opportunity for Botswana’s agricultural diversification. With strong potential for processing into dried fruit, juice, seed oil, tea and other products, goji cultivation could create rural jobs, raise farmer incomes, support agro-processing industries and open new export channels—particularly to China under the zero-tariff policy for African products.
Recognising this potential, Mr. Miles Nan, Presidential Envoy for Investment and Trade Affairs in the Asia-Pacific Region, assessed the feasibility of introducing commercial goji berry production in Botswana during his recent visit to China. As part of Botswana’s ongoing investment promotion efforts, Mr. Nan travelled to the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China’s core goji-producing area, where he engaged with local government authorities, agricultural and rural institutions, research stations, trial fields and farming communities.
The discussions focused on cultivation techniques, climatic and soil suitability, farmer training models and pathways for technology transfer. Preliminary observations indicate that Botswana’s arid and semi-arid conditions share important similarities with Ningxia’s growing environment, providing a favourable basis for further pilot trials and commercial assessment.
If successfully introduced, goji berry production could contribute to employment creation, skills development and export growth, while supporting Botswana’s broader goals of strengthening food systems, expanding agro-processing and advancing economic diversification.
The Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) continues to support initiatives that connect Botswana with global partners and promote value-added industries. Interested investors are encouraged to engage with BITC to explore opportunities in this and other priority sectors.
