Horticulture Cluster: Twine & Cordage manufactures a wide array of horticultural and packaging
products that are predominantly used in the agricultural and industrial sectors. While its products
serve Zimbabwean market, a significant portion is exported to Sub-Saharan Africa and North America.
The company has decided to replicate its Zimbabwean factory in Botswana primarily to address
Botswana horticultural needs and as an export base. Some of the driving factors revolve around
reliability of power supply and a favourable operating environment. It’s worth noting that the
company’s products have been immediately welcomed in Botswana. As we speak, teams from BITC
and BAMB will undertake a physical factory visit in Harare on Thursday, 22 June as a first line of due
diligence.
Three discernible entrepreneurial opportunities accrue from the Twine & Cordage entity.
Distribution of Products to Botswana Retail Network
Products from Twine & Cordage Botswana will be channelled to the Botswana market through citizen
-owned enterprises.
Small-Holder Horticulture Node
One of Twine & Cordage’s main products is shade-netting. This product can be a key instrument for
deepening horticulture industry in Botswana through main-streaming into strategic procurement
programmes similar to LIMID and ISPAAD. The installation and support of these shade-nets and allied
products will be the sole responsibility of citizen-owned companies. Critically, availing shade-netting
under co-ordinated and strategic clusters will enhance production and better returns to farmers. It
will be a useful tool for funding institutions –particularly NDB’s Impact Accelerator Fund.