Gaborone – South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa will travel to Botswana on 20 and 21 May 2026 for a State Visit at the invitation of Botswana President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko.
The centrepiece of the visit will be the 6th Session of the Botswana-South Africa Bi-National Commission, which the two heads of state will co-chair on 21 May 2026. The summit will be preceded by Senior Officials and Ministerial segments of the BNC, which got under way in Gaborone on 17 May 2026.
Botswana and South Africa share strong and longstanding bilateral relations, with cooperation cutting across all sectors of the economy. South Africa remains Botswana’s largest trading partner and a key strategic partner in regional development and integration. 
The visit is expected to produce tangible outcomes, with the two governments set to sign bilateral agreements and Memoranda of Understanding covering water management, energy, corrections and prisons services, tourism, as well as science and innovation.
President Ramaphosa will also tour the Botswana Vaccine Institute during the visit to get a closer look at joint efforts to tackle animal disease concerns, including Foot and Mouth Disease. The two presidents will further attend a Botswana-South Africa Business Forum bringing together private sector players from both countries to explore investment opportunities and build business partnerships.
President Ramaphosa will travel with a delegation that includes government ministers, senior officials, and business representatives.
