GIZ SADC/Botswana

09/10/2026

🌍 What if the resources, research and experiences shaping urban resilience across Africa were all in one place?

Across Africa, cities, communities, researchers, policymakers and practitioners are already doing valuable work to understand urban risks, strengthen resilience and find locally relevant solutions. From new research and practical tools to city experiences and community-led approaches, there is a growing body of knowledge shaping how African cities respond to risk.

But finding all of this knowledge in one place is not always easy.

That is where Resilience Insight Africa comes in. 🌍

A dedicated knowledge hub for urban resilience in Africa, it brings together resources and perspectives from across the continent, creating a shared space to discover:

📚 Resources | Reports, publications, frameworks and fact sheets
💡 Insights | Expert perspectives, research and analysis
🛠️ Tools | Practical resources for risk-informed urban development
📰 Stories & News | Updates and experiences from across the resilience community
📅 Events | Opportunities to connect, exchange and engage

Supported by the German Government through GIZ’s Resilience Initiative Africa (RIA), this collaborative knowledge hub contributes to strengthening knowledge-sharing and collaboration among those working towards safer, more resilient cities. 🤝

🔎 Discover the resources and perspectives shaping urban resilience across Africa.
👉 Explore Resilience Insight Africa



African Union
SADC United Nations Development Programme - UNDP (UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme)

06/10/2026

Through the German Government and European Union, the Transboundary Water Management in the SADC Region programme are pleased to support ORASECOM and its Member States in the Fourth Joint Basin Survey (JBS4), generating vital knowledge on the health of the Orange–Senqu River system to strengthen evidence-based decision-making and sustainable transboundary water management.

The German Government and European Union continue to support regional cooperation for a more water-secure Southern Africa. We look forward to following the JBS4 journey across the basin! 🌍💧

06/10/2026

🌊 Shaping Sustainable Aquatic Food Systems in SADC

The Global Programme Sustainable Aquatic Food – SADC component, commissioned by the German Government and co-funded by the European Union, has kicked off its regional policy development activities in close cooperation with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat.

The process began with two national consultation workshops:
📍Luanda, Angola | 8–10 September – around 50 participants
📍Lusaka, Zambia | 14–16 September – 75 participants, including representatives from Malawi

Bringing together government, the private sector, academia and small-scale producers, the consultations placed particular emphasis on ensuring the participation and voices of women in small-scale aquaculture and fisheries.

The discussions will contribute to three key regional policy deliverables:
✔️ SADC Policy Brief on the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies
✔️A Regional Plan of Action for implementing the FAO Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) Guidelines
✔️The revision of the SADC Regional Aquaculture Strategy

These inclusive dialogues are an important step towards fairer, more sustainable and resilient aquatic food systems across Southern Africa - supporting livelihoods, advancing gender equality and safeguarding shared aquatic resources for the future.

06/10/2026

24/09/2026

A new chapter for regenerative nature-based tourism in KAZA 🌿

Today marks the official launch of the Joint Action on Regenerative Nature-Based Tourism (R-NBT) in the Kavango Zambezi Trans Frontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) - a new chapter in a long-standing journey of supporting biodiversity conservation, regional cooperation and sustainable development in Southern Africa.

Supported by the German Government and the European Union, and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in partnership with the KAZA Secretariat and SADC Secretariat, the initiative aims to strengthen regenerative, inclusive and competitive nature-based tourism across the KAZA landscape.

For Germany, the initiative builds on a long-standing commitment to regional integration and sustainable management of transboundary natural resources. Germany has supported KAZA since 2009 with more than EUR 40 million, recognising that protecting nature across borders also requires regional cooperation, resilient local economies and opportunities for communities.

Regenerative tourism goes beyond sustaining what already exists. It is about creating value for nature, communities, local businesses and destinations while strengthening the ecosystems on which tourism depends.

The R-NBT initiative will translate this ambition into practical support for MSMEs, particularly businesses led by women, youth and communities living near protected areas, through capacity building, access to finance, business development and stronger market integration.

As Germany highlighted at the launch, healthy ecosystems are the foundation of KAZA’s tourism economy, and regenerative tourism can help finance conservation while creating sustainable economic opportunities.

A step towards a tourism model where sustainability is not simply a claim, but a measurable, practical and value-creating approach for nature, businesses and communities.

For further read follow the link: https://www.giz.de/en/regions/africa/sadc-botswana/news/regenerative-tourism-investing-nature-and-local-economies-across-kaza

German Embassy Gaborone
European Union in Botswana

23/09/2026

Yesterday, we kicked off the Regenerative Nature-Based Tourism Regional Stakeholder Roundtable in Maun, Botswana

Over the coming days, governments, the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area - KAZA TFCA Partner State representatives (Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe), financial institutions, MSMEs and conservation partners will co-design practical solutions that strengthen biodiversity, local livelihoods and sustainable tourism across the KAZA TFCA.

The discussions build on the findings of the Regenerative Nature-Based Tourism (R-NBT) Diagnostic Study, which provides an evidence base on the current tourism ecosystem, key opportunities, constraints and areas requiring targeted support to unlock more regenerative and inclusive tourism across KAZA.

The German Government and the European Union, in partnership with the KAZA TFCA Secretariat and regional partners are proud to support this regional journey towards a tourism model that delivers greater value for people, nature and local economies.

Led by Sigma International and MNZ Consulting discussions will focus on three key pillars: Training & Coaching, Finance, and Promotion & Value Chain Integration, alongside the co-creation of transnational tourism itineraries and country-level implementation priorities.

For Germany, this partnership represents a practical continuation of long-standing cooperation and demonstrating how conservation and economic opportunity can reinforce one another.

16/09/2026

World Ozone Day 2026

Good Ozone” vs “Bad Ozone”: A Superhero with Two Lives 🦸‍♂️😷

Did You Know? Up high in the stratosphere, ozone is a superhero: it blocks UV and keeps us safe. Down here at ground level, the same gas can mix with pollution to create smog that stings eyes and makes people wheeze. Same molecule, very different behaviour… great in the sky, terrible in your lungs.

The future of air conditioning, R-290 natural refrigerant (propane), lives inside your aircon’s sealed system, doing its cooling job quietly in the background. By completely replacing the old synthetic gases that damaged our upper atmosphere, it leaves "good ozone" safely intact.

The safe handling of R-290 is not a barrier, but rather a skill. The Cooling Programme for Southern Africa (CooPSA) actively trains technicians across Southern Africa in the safe installation and maintenance of Green ACs.

CooPSA is implemented by GIZ Proklima in cooperation with Southern Africa countries (Eswatini, Namibia, South Africa) on behalf of the German International Climate Initiative (IKI).

To learn more, visit https://www.green-cooling-initiative.org/r-290?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=creator&utm_campaign=worldozoneday_2026&utm_content=vilho_ndeunyema&fbclid=IwY2xjawUXagxwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMW9EMjhnVE9wRlZoU2o1eXlzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeXlt4Grkan-wIfYgpa9FVVFhUE12rx914v-k-sACsrraBpo2oMJ0OEOUWMng_aem_Y1TnbMFAkf0-q9qXgA9VCg.

10/09/2026

Lesotho on the global fashion stage!

What happens when Basotho creativity meets the global fashion industry?

Four homegrown brands - Joachim Garments, THETHANA, Iconics Clothing and H.Mor, took Lesotho to Africa Fashion Week London 2026, showcasing their collections to an international audience and opening doors to new markets.

For these businesses, the runway was only the beginning.

Beyond the spotlight, the companies had opportunities to connect with potential buyers, industry professionals and partners, including the vibrant African and Basotho diaspora in the UK. They also gained first-hand insights into international market expectations: what buyers are looking for, what consumers prefer, and what it takes to position a Made in Lesotho product for global markets.

This is what market linkage looks like - creating opportunities for MSMEs to move beyond borders, build international connections and position Made in Lesotho for the world.

The participation was supported through German Government and European Union implemented by GIZ SADC/Botswana, reflecting Germany’s broader commitment to strengthening private-sector development, regional value chains and trade within the SADC region. By connecting Lesotho businesses to international markets, this support helps translate regional cooperation into tangible opportunities for entrepreneurs and MSMEs.

For Lesotho and the wider SADC region, this was more than fashion. It was a powerful demonstration of what our entrepreneurs can achieve when given the right platforms, connections and support.

And now, the real work begins: turning exposure into partnerships, partnerships into orders, and opportunities into sustainable export markets.

From Lesotho to London, and hopefully, to many more markets beyond.

08/09/2026

Strengthening data governance for Botswana’s digital future

Yesterday marked the opening of the Data Governance Capacity Building and Stakeholder Consultation on the Development of Botswana’s National Data Strategy in Gaborone.

The consultation is convened by Botswana’s Ministry of Communications and Innovation, with support from Germany and the European Commission under the Data Governance in Africa Initiative. It is implemented by AUDA NEPAD and GIZ African Union.

Opening the engagement, Botswana’s Assistant Minister of Communications and Innovation underscored the growing importance of data: “Data is the new diamond.” He highlighted the need for a secure, trusted and inclusive data ecosystem.

Speaking on behalf of Germany, Simone Goertz reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to ensuring that “data works as a force for good—protecting rights and unlocking opportunities.”

Representing the European Union Delegation, Laura Virgili highlighted digital transformation as a means of “serving people, creating opportunities and bridging the digital divide.”

For Germany and the European Union, this support reflects a broader partnership with Botswana, SADC and the African Union to advance rights-based data governance, digital sovereignty and trusted data flows. Through the Data Governance in Africa Initiative, the partnership also supports regional data governance efforts with SADC.

Together, these partnerships are helping harness data for better public services, innovation, economic opportunities and inclusive digital development in Botswana and across the region.

28/08/2026

🌍 From shared learning to shared action for human-wildlife coexistence

The SADC TFCA Peer-to-Peer Learning Exchange on Human-Wildlife Conflict and Corridor Management has concluded in Katima Mulilo, Namibia, following five days of learning and collaboration among practitioners from Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) across the SADC region.

Through regional dialogue and field visits, participants explored community-based approaches to human-wildlife conflict mitigation, corridor governance, livelihoods, traditional governance, community forests and sustainable fisheries. The exchange provided an opportunity to share practical experiences and consider how successful approaches can be adapted across TFCA landscapes.

The exchange also coincided with Namibia’s Heroes’ Day commemoration. In solidarity with the people of Namibia, representatives from the participating TFCAs planted trees to mark the occasion – a symbolic contribution to conservation and the protection of Southern Africa’s natural heritage for future generations.

As the exchange concluded, participants consolidated key lessons and recommendations and committed to continued peer learning, including establishing a Community of Practice on Human-Wildlife Coexistence.

Supported by the German Government and the European Union, which is implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the exchange contributes to stronger regional cooperation, connected landscapes and more effective human-wildlife coexistence across Southern Africa.

We thank the SADC Secretariat, KAZA Secretariat and Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism for their collaboration in making this regional learning exchange possible.