Turn Crafts into Livelihoods in Botswana

I'm delighted to report that we held a "Cooperatives Round Table" on 29 May 2026 in Maun, attended by representatives from 11 cooperatives (from Okavango, North West, and Ghanzi districts), the Department of Cooperative Development, the Department of Social and Community Development, and the North West District Council.  We convened the event to discuss challenges, share experiences, and identify solutions for strengthening cooperative enterprises

Key issues raised included limited funding, poor market access, pricing challenges, lack of business and digital skills, transportation constraints, inadequate support services, and youth disengagement. Participants were encouraged to strengthen collaboration, improve governance, diversify income streams, and operate more strategically as businesses. Proposed solutions included expanded training in business management, digital marketing, proposal writing, pricing, and quality control, as well as stronger partnerships with tourism operators, government offices, and other stakeholders. The meeting resolved to promote knowledge exchange among cooperatives, establish a WhatsApp support network, improve marketing and branding, and advocate for greater government support, digital marketing opportunities, and the development of a catalogue showcasing cooperative products.

We have also launched a research project to generate a comprehensive, practical, and evidence-based resource on craft cooperatives in Botswana — serving three distinct audiences.  For artisan groups and community enterprises, the research will serve as a practical guide to forming, registering, and running a successful cooperative, demystifying the process and equipping prospective members with the knowledge they need to get started.

For organisations supporting the craft sector, such as Crafted Botswana, the research will provide a clear-eyed assessment of the challenges facing craft cooperatives today — from governance and financial management to cultural and structural barriers — enabling more targeted and effective support.

For policy makers and government stakeholders, the research will offer evidence-based recommendations to strengthen the cooperative ecosystem in Botswana, informed by lessons
from comparable countries and the lived experience of cooperative members on the ground.

We expect a final report next month and will be sure to share it with you.  Our research will inform an online learning module on "How to Create a Cooperative," where we will share what we have learned about navigating the path to forming a cooperative.

We are currently in the process of registering five new cooperatives (four basket-weaver groups and the D'kar ostrich-eggshell artists).  The latter is leading the pack, with its application heading to Gaborone for (hopeful) approval.  Two other applications have been filed and are being reviewed, and the remaining two will be filed within several weeks.