Botswana and China Forge Tea Industry Partnership to Drive Economic Diversification
A bilateral agricultural initiative connecting Chinese tea-industry expertise and market demand with Botswana’s indigenous products, land resources and national diversification ambitions.
International agricultural cooperation, industry expertise and expanding import demand.
Indigenous herbal teas, rural value chains and export-oriented agricultural development.
His Excellency Prof. Lekoko S. Kenosi, Ambassador of the Republic of Botswana to the People’s Republic of China, met with Vice Chairman Lui Guical of the Tea Industry Committee of the China Association for the Promotion of International Agricultural Cooperation to explore collaboration in developing Botswana’s tea industry.
Vice Chairman Guical outlined the Association’s mandate to promote Chinese tea culture internationally, expressing interest in introducing tea culture to Botswana as both a healthy lifestyle trend and a new economic activity. Ambassador Kenosi welcomed the initiative, highlighting Botswana’s commitment to diversify its agricultural sector by introducing high-value cash crops alongside traditional farming activities.
A bilateral economic pathway
The partnership connects diplomacy, agriculture, market access, value addition and rural development.
Tea culture, sector knowledge and international agricultural cooperation.
Agricultural potential and distinctive herbal tea varieties.
New value chains beyond Botswana’s traditional reliance on diamonds.
China’s Expanding Tea Market
Over 6.07 million tons, valued at $184 million, up 12.5% from 2024.
Red tea (80.9%), green tea (15.9%), oolong tea (2.6%).
$3.04/kg, rising 4.1% year-on-year.
India, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Kenya dominate, but African herbal teas remain underrepresented.
This gap creates space for Botswana’s indigenous teas — Mosukujane, Lengana, and Moologa to enter the global market.
From bilateral dialogue to global-market participation
Expanding imports create an entry point for distinctive African products.
Mosukujane, Lengana and Moologa provide a potential Botswana product base.
Agricultural activity can develop into new rural value chains.
Value addition can position indigenous teas within international markets.
Botswana’s Agricultural Capital
581,730 km², with fertile eastern and southeastern regions suitable for crop diversification.
Strong agricultural workforce, rooted in livestock farming and supported by institutions like the Botswana Meat Commission and National Agricultural Research and Development Institution (NARDI).
In 2025/26, the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture allocated P5.3 billion to land surveys, crop diversification, and agribusiness promotion.
Over 44,000 plots surveyed and 19,621 secure land titles issued, enabling private sector investment.
Alignment with President Boko’s Economic Diversification Strategy
This partnership embodies President Boko’s economic diversity strategy by:
Reducing reliance on diamonds through agricultural exports.
Stimulating rural industrialisation with new value chains in tea cultivation and processing.
Leveraging global trade networks via China’s zero-tariff policy for African products.
Promoting value addition by branding and commercializing indigenous herbal teas.
Utilizing human and land capital to build a sustainable, export-oriented agricultural sector.
Botswana’s diversification strategy seeks to broaden the national economic base.
Tea can become part of a wider portfolio of high-value, export-oriented activities.
The Botswana–China tea partnership is more than cultural diplomacy it is a strategic economic move. By combining Botswana’s land and human capital with China’s growing tea import demand, the initiative strengthens President Boko’s diversification agenda, positioning Botswana as a new player in the global tea industry while empowering rural communities and preserving indigenous heritage.
Ngoni Samuel Mamvura
Investigative Journalist & Contributor for CSNN — Southern Africa DeskSouthern African affairs, governance, regional development, public accountability and international economic cooperation.
