Lobatse SEZ secures $33.4 million investment commitments
According to local media reports, the Lobatse Meat and Leather City Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Botswana has secured P437.1 million (US$33.4 million) in commitments from three licensed investors, with a strong focus on leather processing, tannery operations and abattoir development.
One investor is already operating in the zone, having invested P89.3 million (US$6.8 million) in a vehicle wiring harness manufacturing facility that employs 303 people.
The remaining two investors are expected to inject P347.8 million (US$26.6 million), supporting an export-oriented abattoir, a leather processing facility and a tannery. Together, the new projects are projected to create 122 jobs, adding to existing employment in the zone.
The developments form part of plans to position Lobatse as a meat and leather value-addition hub, reducing reliance on primary beef production and strengthening downstream processing capacity.
The SEZ is also linked to ongoing infrastructure work under Botswana’s National Development Plan 12, including phased development of industrial land for manufacturing investment.
Meanwhile, the town’s tannery revitalisation project is reported to be 94% complete and is expected to be finalised in September, which is seen as a key step in expanding local leather processing capabilities within the SEZ.
