Botswana election halts capital projects

KEVIN MAYHEW RELUCTANCE BY the Botswana government to incur capital expenditure as it undertook last year’s general election, which returned the ruling Democratic Party to power, resulted in a drop in demand for warehouse space, according to the managing director of Gaborone-based Zebra Shipping, Brixton Mogami. He says the government plays an important role in supporting the entire logistics chain when it undertakes capital projects, including significant use of warehousing facilities such as the 1900m2 his company provides in Gaborone West Industrial Area. “There is always a noticeable dip in business prior to the election as the government puts many projects on hold. The entire logistics business is affected and only picks up when the elected government can again plan its capital projects and begin the process of importing the necessary machinery, equipment and materials that are needed.” Mogami said the clearing and forwarding industry provided significant storage facilities for the government in these times. Zebra Shipping deals mainly in railed imports and exports.