In a landmark development for southern Africa’s energy sector, Botswana and Namibia are exploring a joint venture to build an oil refinery that could reshape the region’s petroleum landscape. The ambitious plan emerged during high-level talks between Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Botswana’s President Duma Boko during a diplomatic visit to Gaborone on Thursday.
The refinery initiative forms part of a broader economic cooperation strategy between the neighboring countries, who are determined to tackle poverty through job creation and shared infrastructure development. “Bridging the gap between the ‘haves and the have-nots’ required urgent and concrete programmes,” according to a statement from the Namibian Presidency.
The two diamond-producing nations also agreed to establish common positions ahead of key industry meetings and accelerate the completion of the Trans-Kalahari railway line to boost Botswana’s imports through Namibia’s Walvis Bay port.
Source: namibian.com.na
