Africa-Press – Botswana. Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Bogolo Kenewendo, has underscored the need for innovative and inclusive practices in Botswana’s mining sector.
Speaking at the Women in Mining Botswana Organisation (WIMBO) Pitso in Gaborone yesterday held under the theme: Embracing Inclusivity and Resilience for a New Era, Ms Kenewendo stated that the time for change was now.
“What brought us here is not what will take us forward,” she remarked, highlighting the importance of adopting new approaches and challenging traditional norms to foster growth and sustainability in the mining sector.
Fresh from a trip to Antwerp, Belgium, where she had been working to stimulate the diamond market, Minister Kenewendo shared that women from the diamond industry in Antwerp expressed a keen interest in engaging with Botswana’s mining community.
“I know just the people to introduce you to,” she said, underscoring her commitment to building global networks that support women in mining.
Minister Kenewendo also outlined the challenges facing the mining industry, particularly the need to move beyond outdated practices and embrace inclusivity and resilience.
“The mining sector remains a cornerstone of Botswana’s economy, but we find ourselves at a critical juncture,” she noted.
She emphasised that innovative thinking and bold risks were necessary to secure the industry’s future, including integrating women more substantially at all levels.
She pointed out the disparity within the sector, noting that globally, women held just seven per cent of mining executive roles.
She called for a shift from mere rhetoric to actionable inclusivity and empowerment, advocating for a gender equity model that would make Botswana a global benchmark.
Acknowledging the significant strides made by women, Minister Kenewendo urged the industry to do more.
She cited data from McKinsey (2024) and the IFC (2023), which indicated that companies with gender-diverse leadership tended to deliver 28 per cent higher returns, while mines employing women at all levels reported 23 per cent fewer safety incidents, respectively.
Addressing the challenges hindering participation of women in procurement within the mining industry, she promised systemic changes to ensure fairer opportunities.
“We want to ensure that we’re not just talking about it but doing it and showing how it can be done,” she asserted, highlighting the ministry’s commitment to gender-responsive procurement and the creation of a coordination office for value chain development.
Ms Kenewendo also emphasised the need to integrate renewable energy solutions within the mining industry, referencing the ministry’s recent initiatives to establish solar-powered plants across the country.
She called for women-led businesses to utilise such opportunities, reinforcing the government’s dedication to inclusive economic development.
WIMBO organising chairperson and treasurer, Ms Christine Ntlhaile said the minister’s address resonated deeply with the organisation’s mission to uplift women in mining.
The Pitso, which attracted delegates from across Africa, featured Ms Astrid Aafjes from SHE Supplies, a Netherlands-based organisation who shared key insights from a gender-responsive procurement study conducted by SHE Supplies, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for women-owned businesses in the mining sector.
The study outlined several critical needs for women-owned businesses, including enhanced access to finance, improved access to information, simplified and transparent procurement processes, targeted capacity building, networking and mentorship opportunities, as well as greater visibility and data access.
The Pitso, scheduled to conclude today, will feature panel sessions on a variety of topics.
These include shaping the future by advancing gender diversity, equity, and inclusion in the mining industry, as well as unlocking inclusive growth through gender-responsive procurement in Botswana’s mining sector.
Another key discussion will focus on unpacking beneficiation and value chain development, specifically evaluating whether capturing more value from minerals through local processing before export is a viable and realistic strategy for Botswana.
Public-private dialogue during the event also emphasised initiating inclusivity within the mining sector and gradually expanding to other industries.
The dialogue aligns with Botswana’s Vision 2036 and the Economic Diversification Drive, advocating for alignment with procurement legislation and policies.
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