The Kingdom of Lesotho and The Republic of Botswana held inaugural session of Botswana–Lesotho Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Gaborone, Botswana on 18 June 2026.
The historic Session was co-chaired by the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, The Right Honourable, the Prime Minister Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane, and His Excellency Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, the President of the Republic of Botswana.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Matekane expressed appreciation to President Boko, the Government and the people of Botswana for the warm hospitality extended to him and the entire Lesotho delegation. He described the launch of the BNC as a significant milestone that ushers them in a new era of cooperation between the two neighboring countries.
The Prime Minister noted that Lesotho and Botswana share deep-rooted historical, cultural, kinship and linguistic ties dating back many decades. He emphasized that the Bi-National Commission provides a structured framework through which the two countries will deepen cooperation and advance their shared aspirations for prosperity, peace and regional integration.
Prime Minister Matekane highlighted several strategic areas of cooperation under the BNC, including education and skills development, water resources, renewable energy, agriculture and food security, trade and investment, industrialization, mining, sports development, as well as governance, defence and security.
He further underscored the importance of accelerating cooperation on transformative projects such as the proposed Lesotho–Botswana Water Transfer Project and strengthening partnerships that will unlock economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the livelihoods of citizens in both countries.
President Boko highlighted the enduring bonds of friendship between Lesotho and Botswana, describing the Commission as a platform that reflects a shared identity and common destiny between the peoples of the two nations. He stressed the importance of deliberate and structured efforts to strengthen trade, economic cooperation and people-to-people relations.
President Boko further underscored the need for both countries to embrace innovation and emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), in ways that create economic value, improve productivity and contribute to sustainable development.
As a demonstration of solidarity and cooperation, he also announced assistance of 100,000 doses of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine to Lesotho to support efforts aimed to protect livestock and strengthen the agricultural sector.
The inaugural Proceedings concluded with reaffirmation and commitment of both Leaders to ensure that the Bi-National Commission serves as an effective mechanism to advance cooperation, foster economic growth and livelihoods improvement of both Batswana and Basotho.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international relations.
