Forwarders benefit from tide of investment in Botswana

Botswana has plenty of
opportunities, especially
with the boom in projects
currently under way in the country.
“Volumes were down last year,
but we are seeing a definite increase
especially with the new projects
in the country,” Zebra Shipping
managing director Tsimane Brixton
Mogami told FTW.
And ultimately the entire
Botswanan freight forwarding
industry will benefit.
“This is a stable country with
a stable government which has
resulted in a stable economy. Our
currency is also strong. These are all
good attributes for investment.”
Oduetse Makgane, director of
strategic projects for Zebra Shipping
agrees, saying that the freight
forwarding industry is benefiting
immensely from the projects and the
tide of investment in the country.
“There is one project for example
where 2 000 Chinese will be
brought into the country – that is
extremely good for local business
as these people will be living in
our town, buying here. That means
more imports.”
Makgane says freight forwarders
who are keeping their ears to
ground and are committed to their
clients will reap the benefits of the
project boom.
“It is all about knowing your
client, understanding their needs
and meeting these timeously.
This is a small country and a bad
reputation is not so easy to lose.
Good marketing is also essential in
these times.”