By mid-July 2026, Botswana and Mozambique’s push to restrict South African agricultural imports clashed with regional trade agreements, as experts urged collaboration over protectionism to preserve economic integration and food security.
Bank of Botswana Governor Lesego Moseki and Mozambique’s Minister of Agriculture Roberto Albino have publicly advocated for import substitution, aiming to reduce reliance on South African food products. These policies, however, risk undermining the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which prioritize open regional trade. Experts argue that instead of blocking imports, countries should leverage South African agribusiness technologies to boost domestic production.
Botswana and Mozambique’s Import Substitution Efforts
Botswana’s push to limit vegetable and fruit imports from South Africa has drawn criticism for disrupting regional supply chains. Governor Moseki of the Bank of Botswana emphasized the need to accelerate food import substitution, framing it as essential for economic resilience. Similarly, Mozambique’s Minister of Agriculture Roberto Albino highlighted the country’s intent to reduce dependency on South African food imports, citing potential benefits for local agriculture. Both approaches, however, face scrutiny for their potential to strain trade relations and trigger inflation.
The regular blockages of vegetable and fruit imports from South Africa run counter to the spirit of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),
said agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo, who advised Botswana to prioritize technology transfer over import curbs. His analysis warned that protectionist measures could destabilize regional food security and trade integration.
Regional Agreements Under Strain
The tension reflects broader challenges within SACU and AfCFTA, which aim to foster economic cooperation but struggle with conflicting national interests. While Botswana and Mozambique argue that import restrictions are necessary to nurture local farming, critics warn that such policies could fragment the regional market. SACU, which includes Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa, is designed to facilitate free trade, yet frequent bans on agricultural goods have created uncertainty for farmers and traders.
Sihlobo, a senior fellow at Stellenbosch University, noted that the approach to these agricultural expansion efforts in our region should be one that doesn’t encourage irregular, protectionist trade practices.
He pointed to the Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa (CGA) as a model for collaboration, emphasizing that sharing cultivars and best practices could help Botswana and Mozambique boost production without disrupting trade.
The Case for Technological Collaboration
Agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo advocated for South Africa’s agribusiness technologies as a solution to regional food insecurity. I think the best approach will be through leaning on some of the farm technologies that South African agribusinesses can offer,
he said, citing the CGA’s work in improving citrus production across Southern Africa. This model, he argued, could be expanded to include other farming inputs, enabling countries like Botswana to modernize their agriculture while maintaining open trade.
The CGA’s efforts demonstrate how regional cooperation can enhance productivity. By sharing improved cultivars and technical knowledge, the association has accelerated agricultural output in multiple countries. Sihlobo stressed that such partnerships align with AfCFTA’s goals, as they promote economic integration without resorting to protectionism. South Africa’s agriculture must not be viewed as a threat, but as a key collaborator and provider of essential inputs.
As Botswana and Mozambique continue their import substitution strategies, the region faces a critical juncture. Experts warn that without coordinated efforts, trade frictions could escalate, undermining the long-term goals of SACU and AfCFTA. Sihlobo called for ongoing dialogue between South Africa and its neighbors to address these tensions, emphasizing that any policy to increase domestic reliance on food production needs to be carefully crafted to avoid disrupting regional food supplies and possibly triggering avoidable food inflation in Botswana.
The Bank of Botswana’s stance highlights the delicate balance between economic sovereignty and regional interdependence. While import substitution may offer short-term benefits, its long-term impact on food security and trade relations remains uncertain. As South Africa seeks to diversify its agricultural exports, the region’s ability to reconcile national interests with collective goals will determine the success of initiatives like AfCFTA.
