BOTSWANA DELEGATION PARTICIPATES IN THE 55TH CPA AFRICA REGION CONFERENCE IN MALAWI Botswana Advances Citizen-Centred Parliamentary Governance at 55th CPA Africa Region Conference in Malawi The Parliament of Botswana is participating in the 55th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region Conference, hosted by the Parliament of Malawi from 9th to 15th August 2026 in Lilongwe, Malawi. The Conference is held under the theme: “Renewing the Social Contract: Parliaments as Catalysts for Inclusive Growth and Citizen Trust.” The Conference brings together Speakers, Presiding Officers, Members of Parliament, Clerks and parliamentary officials from across the CPA Africa Region to deliberate on matters affecting parliamentary democracy, good governance, inclusive development and the strengthening of citizen trust. BOTSWANA DELEGATION The Botswana delegation comprises: 1. Hon. Dithapelo L. Keorapetse, MP – Speaker of the National Assembly and Head of Delegation; 2. Hon. Dr. Unity Dow, MP – Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Outgoing Deputy Chairperson; 3. Hon. Letlhogonolo Barongwang, MP – CPA Africa Central Regional Representative; 4. Hon. Mabuse M. Pule, MP – CPA Africa Budget Committee Member; and 5. Dr. Gabriel G. G. Malebang – Clerk of the National Assembly and Society of Clerks at the Table (SoCATT) delegate. BOTSWANA LEADS DISCUSSIONS ON THE AfCFTA As part of the Conference programme, Botswana served as the Seconder of Topic 2, entitled:“Parliamentary Oversight of Continental Trade Agreements: Making AfCFTA for African Citizens.” The topic provided an opportunity for Parliamentarians to examine the role of Parliaments in ensuring that continental trade agreements translate into tangible benefits for African citizens, including through effective oversight, accountability, inclusive economic participation and national implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The Honourable Speaker and Head of the Botswana delegation spoke to the topic, bringing Botswana’s parliamentary perspective to the discussion and highlighting the importance of effective parliamentary oversight in ensuring that continental integration delivers inclusive growth and tangible benefits to citizens. Botswana’s participation in this discussion reflects the National Assembly’s commitment to strengthening parliamentary oversight of national, regional and continental policy frameworks that have a direct bearing on the socio-economic well-being of citizens. CWP ENGAGEMENTS AND WORKSHOP PARTICIPATION Hon. Dr. Unity Dow, MP, in her capacity as Deputy Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), participated in the CWP meeting, where matters relating to the advancement of women’s participation and representation in parliamentary processes were considered. She also participated in the CWP Business Meeting, which provided an opportunity for members to deliberate on the business and priorities of the CWP within the CPA Africa Region. Hon. Dr. Dow further participated in a series of Conference workshops covering key regional and global development priorities, namely: • Governance, Peace and Security; • Economic Growth, Trade and Development; and • Climate Change, Energy and Environmental Sustainability. These engagements provided an opportunity to exchange parliamentary experiences and perspectives on issues that continue to shape governance, development, economic transformation and the well-being of citizens across the African continent. BUDGET AND FINANCE ENGAGEMENTS Hon. Mabuse M. Pule, MP, in his capacity as a member of the CPA Africa Budget Committee, participated in the Planning, Programme and Finance Meeting as well as the Budget Sub-Committee Meeting. He also participated in the Conference workshops covering: • Youth, Women and Social Inclusion; • Education, Health and Social Protection; and • Artificial Intelligence, Innovation and Digital Governance. His participation in these workshops contributed to discussions on inclusive social development, access to essential public services and the role of emerging technologies and digital transformation in strengthening governance and improving service delivery. CPA AFRICA CENTRAL REGION ENGAGEMENTS Hon. Letlhogonolo Barongwang, MP, in his capacity as CPA Africa Central Region Representative, participated in the Regional Representatives Committee Meeting. The meeting provided an opportunity for regional representatives to deliberate on matters relating to the work of the CPA Africa Region and to strengthen coordination and cooperation among the various regions. Hon. Barongwang also participated in the Conference workshops covering: • Governance, Peace and Security; • Economic Growth, Trade and Development; and • Climate Change, Energy and Environmental Sustainability. His participation contributed to the exchange of regional parliamentary perspectives on governance, peace and security, economic development and environmental sustainability. CLERK ATTENDS SOCATT AFRICA REGION MEETINGS AND AGM The Clerk of the National Assembly, Dr. Gabriel G. G. Malebang, participated in the Society of Clerks at the Table (SoCATT) Africa Region Annual General Meeting (AGM) and other side meetings, which brought together Clerks and senior parliamentary officials to exchange experiences on strengthening parliamentary administration and institutional effectiveness. As part of his engagements, the Clerk made a presentation on the topic: “Re-imagining Citizen Engagement: Enhancing Parliamentary Democracy.” The presentation showcased Botswana Parliament’s efforts to strengthen citizen engagement and improve the relationship between Parliament and the people. It also provided an opportunity for the sharing of experiences and exploration of innovative approaches through which Parliaments can become more accessible, responsive and trusted. The SoCATT engagement complements the broader Conference theme by focusing on the institutional and administrative capacity required to ensure that Parliaments effectively respond to citizens and deliver on their constitutional mandates. STRENGTHENING REGIONAL PARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION The Botswana delegation participated in the various meetings, deliberations and engagements of the CPA Africa Region, contributing to discussions on the future of parliamentary democracy, regional cooperation, inclusive growth and the strengthening of parliamentary institutions. Botswana’s participation underscores the National Assembly’s commitment to parliamentary diplomacy, regional cooperation, effective oversight, citizen-centred governance and the continuous strengthening of Parliament as a high-performing institution.