The Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) is to upgrade the tannery plant at its head office location in Lobatse.
The upgraded tannery will process hides to the blue leather stage, creating new opportunities for value-added exports. This will contribute to the development of Botswana’s Lobatse Special Economic Zone (SEZ), where additional investors will be encouraged to further process wet blue leather into finished goods such as shoes, bags, car seats and jackets.
This is aligned with the government’s Reset Agenda – Priority No. 4 ‘Value Chains Development’, which leverages state-owned enterprises as anchors for value chain development, enabling the private sector.
BMC chief executive officer, David Tsheboeng, emphasised the broader implications of the tannery revitalisation: “This investment goes beyond infrastructure. It sets the foundation for Botswana to become a major player in the leather industry. By revitalising the tannery, we are positioning ourselves for long-term global competitiveness and sustainable economic growth.”
The tannery project includes the establishment of an on-site effluent treatment plant to meet wastewater treatment quality standards, ensuring environmental sustainability.
As well as the tannery, BMC is also investing in the development of a new meat value addition and secondary processing plant.
These projects are expected to boost job creation, increase export potential, and align with Botswana’s broader goals of industrialisation and economic diversification.
