BOTSWANA’S CITRUS REVOLUTION

Good morning! Let’s get into it!

The ambition behind the Selebi Phikwe Citrus (SPC) project is coming into sharper focus, with notable milestones being reached and clear signs that the venture is beginning to deliver across employment, export, and regional development. Located in the Central District of Botswana, near the town of Selebi‑Phikwe, the project would represent a significant shift for the region, moving away from a purely mining-based economy towards agribusiness and horticulture.

Scale and Scope
SPC spans approximately 1,500 hectares of land. ProdAfrica Maps+3Selebi Phikwe Citrus+3Devere Acuma+3 The first phase of development planted around 880 ha of citrus orchards, with additional hectares planned to bring the full investment into production by 2027. Selebi Phikwe Citrus+1 The citrus varieties targeted include Valencia oranges, mandarins, lemons, and grapefruit. Selebi Phikwe Citrus+2Selebi Phikwe Citrus+2 From the outset, it was designed as an export-oriented operation: around 70% of output is earmarked for overseas markets, with the remainder for domestic consumption and regional trade. People's Daily+2Trade Forward Southern Africa+2

Recent Successes

• In 2024, the project delivered its inaugural harvest of approximately 5,000 tonnes of citrus fruit. APAnews - Agence de Presse Africaine+1

• The projection for 2025 is a leap to around 20,000 tonnes of output—approximately four times the first harvest. APAnews - Agence de Presse Africaine

• The government, represented by the Minister for the Presidency, acknowledges the operation as a key driver of job creation, skills development, and regional revitalization. Daily News

• Earlier phases also emphasized the sourcing of land and irrigation infrastructure: for instance, the project secured a lease on land from the local cooperative and laid a 12-kilometer pipeline from the water utilities plant to supply the farm. Daily News+1

Economic Impacts

1. Employment and Skills: The project is expected to create up to 1,500 jobs (both seasonal and permanent) once fully operational—a considerable boost for the region. Selebi Phikwe Citrus+1 These jobs range from farm labor and harvesting to processing, packing, logistics, and export compliance.

   2. Export Revenue & Foreign Exchange: By positioning Botswana within the global citrus market—targeting markets in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America—this endeavor opens new streams of foreign currency earnings. Devere Acuma+1 3. Import Substitution: Historically, Botswana has imported citrus fruits; with domestic production increasing, reliance on imports is reduced, improving the trade position. Devere Acuma+1 4. Regional & Rural Development: The project is situated in a region that previously depended heavily on mining (the closure of the mine in Selebi-Phikwe had led to job losses and economic decline). The agricultural investment injects new life into that economy, helping diversify away from mining. Daily News+1 5. Value-chain Spill-over: Beyond the orchards themselves, the ripple effects include packaging, transport, cold-storage, processing of citrus juices or by-products, and supporting services—creating multiple added-value opportunities. Daily News+1

Challenges & Considerations
While the progress is clear, some caveats remain:

• The project is still scaling: for example, the target output of ~70,000 tonnes annually is still in the future. Devere Acuma+1

• Irrigation and water supply were critical structuring issues: securing reliable water, navigating land leases, and logistics infrastructure all required concerted effort. Daily News

• Accessing premium export markets means strict compliance with phytosanitary standards, logistics chains, and global competition—these remain areas to watch. People's Daily

What this Means for Botswana’s Economy
For Botswana, SPC is more than just a new citrus farm. It represents a strategic pivot towards agricultural diversification, regional regeneration, and export-led growth. The inflow of investment, creation of jobs, and development of agribusiness ecosystems feed into broader national goals: reducing dependence on mining, boosting food security, and integrating Botswana into global value chains. As output grows, the project’s full potential impact could be substantial—not only for the Central District region, but for the country’s image as an agrarian export hub.

Looking Ahead
The next milestones include reaching the 20,000-tonne output target, expanding the planted hectares in Phase 2, deepening export market access, and growing the downstream value-chain (processing, packaging, cold-storage). For stakeholders—investors, government, local communities—the SPC model may serve as a blueprint for similar horticultural ventures in Botswana.

Conclusion
The Selebi Phikwe Citrus project signals an evolving chapter for Botswana—where agriculture, entrepreneurship, and export-market integration converge. Its successes to date are real, and the wider economic benefits are becoming clear. As this initiative grows, it may well reshape how the nation sees its agricultural sector—and the role it can play in driving growth, jobs, and global trade.

Sources:

1. Freight News – „Citrus exports from Botswana ongoing…“
   Contains details on the project’s scale (≈ 1,500 ha, projected 80,000 tonnes at full capacity), first harvest (~22,000 tonnes) and export ambitions. (Freight News)

2. APA News – „Selebi Phikwe citrus project eyes four-fold spike in output“
   Reports that the project produced ~5,000 tonnes in 2024 and is aiming at ~20,000 tonnes in 2025. (APAnews - Agence de Presse Africaine)

3. Agribusiness Botswana – „Botswana’s Green Gold: A Citrus Powerhouse Rises from Mining’s Ashes“
   Profiles the project’s background (mining town pivoting to horticulture), land size (~1,300 ha), and job/exports implications. (Agribusiness Botswana)

4. TFSA School of Export – „Botswana citrus: Selebi-Phikwe citrus project on track“
   Gives earlier data: ~70,000 trees planted on 310 ha; 70% of produce targeted for export; employment up to ~1,500 people. (tfsouthernafrica.org)

5. Mmegi Online – „Gov’t eyes citrus export to US by 2025“
   Provides insight into export market access ambitions (US by 2025) and the government's role. (mmegi.bw)

6. deVere-Acuma – „Botswana as a new Southern African citrus supplier“
   Describes the import-substitution benefit: Botswana will no longer need to import citrus, and notes export orientation (~70–80% of produce). (devere-acuma.co.bw)