Botswana is moving towards a formal partnership with a Zimbabwean waste management company to transform its landfills into recycling centres and sources of green energy and economic activity.

Geo Pomona Waste Management is a Harare-based company focused on developing sustainable solutions to minimise the environmental impact of waste in the SADC region.

During a recent tour of Geo Pomona Waste Management’s premises, Botswana’s Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, said the country had expressed keen interest in partnering with the company.

Motshegwa said Geo Pomona Waste Management has cutting-edge expertise in waste management systems and the potential to help address Botswana’s waste management challenges.

According to Motshegwa, a partnership between Geo Pomona Waste Management and Botswana would demonstrate concrete cooperation among African countries.

“This is an opportunity for African countries to trade within and among themselves, both at government and private-sector level. I came with the Mayor of the City of Francistown, Gaone Majere, because almost all our landfills are managed by local authorities. From here, we will be able to gain a better understanding and appreciation of the company’s work. We wanted to come here and see it in practice because, as they say, seeing is believing.”

For Botswana, the partnership could contribute significantly to environmental protection, climate action and sustainable development, particularly because many of the country’s landfills are administered by local authorities.