Botswana and South Africa have deepened bilateral collaboration on preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction through a pioneering peer-to-peer assistance exercise held in Pretoria from 4 to 6 November 2025. Organised with support from the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, the three-day gathering focused on strengthening export and border controls mandated by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004), which requires states to block non-state actors from acquiring nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their delivery systems.
Twenty-nine officials from both nations—spanning policy, regulatory and enforcement agencies—joined UNODA representatives and a 1540 Committee expert to share experiences on legal frameworks, licensing procedures, national control lists and inter-agency coordination. Sessions also tackled industry outreach, financing of proliferation and enforcement strategies, while a technical visit to South Africa’s Protechnik Laboratories offered Botswana delegates practical insights into chemical and biological defence capabilities.
The event, the first UNODA-supported peer exchange on Resolution 1540 in Africa, highlighted South Africa’s advanced implementation and Botswana’s progress under its 2022 National Implementation Action Plan. Participants identified priority areas for continued assistance to Botswana, including drafting export control regulations, establishing a comprehensive national control list and enhancing licensing systems through training and mentorship.
As reported by UNODA, this South-South cooperation model—funded by the Republic of Korea and the European Union via the UN Trust Fund for Global and Regional Disarmament Activities—demonstrates how tailored regional initiatives can advance both security and peaceful applications of sensitive technologies, directly supporting the Sustainable Development Goals across Africa.
South Africa’s mature framework, built over two decades as a 1540 point of contact, provided valuable lessons for Botswana, which has rapidly expanded its non-proliferation architecture since adopting its action plan. According to SADC Today, the exercise reinforces the Southern African Development Community’s collective commitment to counter illicit trafficking while fostering legitimate trade in dual-use goods.
Both countries pledged sustained partnership, with plans for follow-up technical support to bolster Botswana’s capacity. The Pretoria meeting sets a precedent for similar exchanges elsewhere on the continent, underscoring Africa’s proactive role in global non-proliferation efforts amid rising concerns over terrorist access to dangerous materials. By prioritising practical, peer-driven assistance, Botswana and South Africa are helping secure the region while enabling safe scientific and industrial advancement.