SADC, GIZ Host Workshop in Botswana to Tackle Non-Tariff Barriers
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat, in partnership with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the GIZ CESARE programme, convened a two-day workshop on Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) from 8–9 October 2025 in Gaborone, Botswana.
The workshop brought together customs officials and representatives from key government agencies stationed at Botswana’s ports of entry, including Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, Sikwane, Ramotswa, and Tlokweng border posts.
Speaking on behalf of Mr Dhunraj Kassee, Director of Industrial Development and Trade at the SADC Secretariat, Ms Motheba Malibeng highlighted that the workshop aimed to strengthen the capacity of border officials to identify, report, and resolve NTBs.
She noted that while numerous NTBs are reported through the online system, the regional resolution rate remains low.
Ms Malibeng added that the Secretariat, with support from partners, continues to organise training and sensitisation initiatives to assist Member States in addressing NTBs.
She also outlined the Secretariat’s development of an Annex Concerning NTBs to the Protocol on Trade, which has been legally vetted by SADC Ministers of Justice and is expected to be adopted soon by Ministers of Trade. Once implemented, the annex will provide an enforcement mechanism to resolve NTBs across the region.
In her opening remarks, Botswana’s Director of Trade Development, Ms Johana Segotlong, stressed that “addressing NTBs is not just a technical exercise; it is a strategic imperative for achieving the objectives of both SADC and the AfCFTA, thereby enhancing Botswana’s competitiveness in regional and continental markets.”
She added that while Botswana has made significant strides in regional integration, it is crucial to support the identification and resolution of NTBs arising under the SADC FTA, Tripartite FTA, AfCFTA, and other trade agreements.
The workshop featured presentations on the AfCFTA and Tripartite FTA agreements, with a focus on NTB annexes. Participants also engaged in hands-on exercises to apply the knowledge gained and were given demonstrations of the NTB online reporting and monitoring mechanism.
