Botswana validates investor guidelines to enhance impact of Foreign Direct Investment

Botswana, Gaborone (ILO News) - The quality dimensions of FDI become critical if we want to see investment translate into real, tangible, and sustainable development outcomes. How can we move beyond quantity and volume, and further embed quality aspects into investment facilitation to ensure FDI leads to resilient, tangible, and sustainable development outcomes?

To further ensure that FDI and trade lead to positive development impacts, particularly in terms of more and better jobs and inclusive economic growth. Botswana validated in May 2026 the “Investor Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct Decent Work.”

The drafting process was led and coordinated by the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship, the Botswana Trade and Investment Centre, and the Special Economic Zones Authority of Botswana. All recognized the need for a coherent approach to engage with multinational enterprises and large domestic companies on issues of ESG, responsible business conduct, and decent work. The guidelines were validated and endorsed by Business Botswana, the Employers’ Organization of Botswana and the Botswana Federation of Trade Unions

Investor guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct and Decent Work – 2026

The Investor Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct and Decent Work are voluntary guidelines and are designed to guide both investors and government in aligning FDI and trade with national development priorities. They act as a bridge between government expectations and investor practices by providing clear, practical guidance rooted in international standards.

They do not create any new legal obligations for enterprises. Instead, the guidelines function as a framework for dialogue and partnerships between government and multinational enterprises to identify areas of common interest and collaboration. They also serve as a common framework of understanding to guide partnerships and synergies between government, business, and workers’ organizations.

The true value of investment is measured not only by the amount invested, but by the impact it creates for people, businesses, and communities. Through these Guidelines, Botswana is sending a clear message that investors are welcome and encouraged to contribute to decent work, responsible business practices, environmental stewardship, and long-term national development objectives.

Mr Goabaone Masike, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Special Economic Zones Authority Botswana

The guidelines are based on internationally recognized standards for responsible business conduct, including the ILO Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct, and the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. They are also aligned with regional and subregional frameworks and agreements such as the Protocol to the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area on Investment (2022) and the Charter of Fundamental Social Rights in SADC (2003). Together these frameworks provide a coherent foundation that outlines the quality dimensions of foreign direct investment, decent work and responsible business conduct.

What next?

These guidelines will help transform FDI into high-quality, sustainable investment by emphasizing the importance of investment that creates decent jobs, supports skills development, fosters local economic linkages, and promotes inclusive growth.

They provide an additional framework for engagement and dialogue among all stakeholders, both public and private, and are intended to promote clarity and shared understanding among investors, enterprises, workers, communities, and public institutions. In addition, the guidelines can be further used for investor and project screening, non/financial reporting on activities, further define and clarify impact or even as a tool to mage and enhance impact through strategic use of incentives or support.

To further support the implementation of the guidelines, in partnership with and with the support of the ILO, targeted training, capacity-building initiatives, and platforms for peer learning and experience-sharing will be provided for companies that are eager to deepen their knowledge and strengthen their practices.

Official launch of the guidelines will take place in the second half of 2026.