The newly elected government of Botswana under President Duma Boko has taken a positive trade step by lifting restrictions on imports of vegetables from South Africa. This was announced on 13 December 2024 that Botswana was immediately lifting import restrictions on vegetables from South Africa. The process to phase out the import restrictions on vegetables will be 2 - phased. The initial part includes the immediate lifting of import restrictions on the following vegetables: turmeric, patty pan, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, green peas, mushroom, and eggplant. The 2nd phase will take effect on April 2025 on vegetables such as beetroot, butternut, onion, tomatoes, sweer pepper, potatoes, and watermelon will be lifted.

Southern Africa is in the grip of an urgent crisis. A record-breaking dry spell lasting over 30 days is scorching eight countries - Angola, Botswana, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. El Niño and climate change are fueling this disaster, inflicting severe damage on crops and livestock over the past five years.