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Strategic Partners

Who we are

Strategic Partners

The office of the EU Delegation to Botswana was opened Gaborone in 1981. Its role was expanded in 1991 following the establishment of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat in Gaborone.

What We Do

The role of the Delegation is to promote the interests, values and policies of the European Union, in a strong, open and equal partnership with the Botswana and SADC. We have an active political dialogue with Botswana and SADC, and we work on development cooperation, trade and human rights and other areas of mutual interest. Through our press and information work, and online, we want to raise awareness of the EU and its policies. The Delegation of the European Union in Botswana is part of the European Union External Action Service, and is one of 139 Delegations around the world. The Delegation has the status of a diplomatic mission and officially represents the European Union in Botswana and SADC.

We opened our Delegation office in Botswana, in Gaborone in 1981 and our role expanded in 1991 following the establishment of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat in Gaborone.

Since the coming into force of the Lisbon Treaty on 1st December 2009, the Delegation has a stronger political role in addition to its trade and development roles. This includes Common Foreign and Security Policy. The  Lisbon Treaty has given the Union several new tools to further strengthen its cooperation with our partners around the world. Notably, EU Delegations are now part of the European External Action Service (EEAS). They represent the EU in all its affairs, and they are permanent holders of local EU presidencies.

The Delegation has played a prominent role in managing EU development assistance to Botswana covering areas such as the diversification of the economy and jobs creation, skills development, export and investment climate, wildlife conservation, infrastructure development, micro-projects, and mining sector diversification. We have a strong support to the Civil Society in Botswana. Moreover, the Delegation plays an important and ever growing role in regional integration and trade issues, in particular in relation to the implementation of the EU-SADC EPA.

The Delegation plays an essential role in providing information on the policies and institutions of the EU. In doing so, the Delegation works closely with EU Member States' Embassies in Botswana – Team Europe as we call ourselves – and participates actively in the partner coordination with the Government of Botswana and with SADC.

Our Office