Africa-Press – Botswana. The Vice President and Minister of Finance of Botswana, Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe, held a strategic meeting with Mamadou Sangafowa Coulibaly, the Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy of Côte d’Ivoire, during a courtesy visit aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in mining and energy. The engagement focused on unlocking shared opportunities across Africa’s resource-rich economies. Both leaders emphasized the importance of collaboration in driving sustainable development and improving economic outcomes. The meeting reflects a growing trend among African nations to build direct partnerships that prioritize mutual growth. It also signals a renewed focus on leveraging natural resources to boost industrialization and regional integration.
Coulibaly commended Botswana’s development model, describing it as leadership-driven and rooted in strong governance and long-term planning. He highlighted Botswana’s ability to manage its mineral wealth effectively, positioning it as a benchmark for other African countries seeking to maximize the value of their natural resources. He extended an official invitation for Botswana to participate as an honoured guest at Côte d’Ivoire’s upcoming minerals and energy exhibition. The event is expected to bring together key stakeholders across the continent and beyond. It will serve as a platform to deepen South-South cooperation and facilitate knowledge exchange in mining and energy sectors.
Gaolathe stressed the importance of Africa taking a long-term, strategic approach to resource management. He pointed out that the continent holds a generational responsibility to transform its mineral wealth into global competitiveness. He underscored the need for strong institutions that can support transparent governance and effective policy implementation. He also highlighted the role of sound negotiation in securing fair and beneficial agreements with international partners. His remarks reinforced the importance of building partnerships that prioritize sustainability, local value creation and economic resilience.
Both delegations agreed to accelerate discussions toward a Memorandum of Understanding ahead of the planned November exhibition. This agreement is expected to formalize cooperation in key areas such as mineral development, energy production and technical collaboration. The commitment demonstrates a shared urgency to move from dialogue to action. It also reflects confidence in the potential of African-led partnerships to drive meaningful progress. The upcoming exhibition will likely serve as a milestone in advancing this collaboration and setting clear targets for implementation.
This engagement highlights a broader shift in how African nations approach development through strategic alliances. By focusing on shared strengths and coordinated action, countries like Botswana and Côte d’Ivoire are positioning themselves to compete more effectively on the global stage. The emphasis on institutional strength, policy clarity and long-term planning provides a practical roadmap for sustainable growth. As discussions progress toward formal agreements, the partnership has the potential to deliver measurable outcomes in both mining and energy sectors. This cooperation could also inspire similar collaborations across the continent, reinforcing Africa’s capacity to shape its own economic future.
