Botswana’s mining sector has long been the backbone of the country’s economy. But beyond minerals, the real strength of the industry lies in the ecosystem it creates — one where local companies can grow, innovate, and compete beyond national borders. A powerful example of this is the journey of Oxygas, a homegrown industrial gas supplier that has grown into an export-ready company with the support of the Botswana Chamber of Mines.
This is a story of collaboration, capacity-building, and strategic industry alignment.
Creating Access to Market Opportunities
One of the most critical barriers for local manufacturers and service providers is market access. The mining sector is highly regulated, quality-driven, and performance-focused. For Oxygas, breaking into this ecosystem required credibility and visibility.
Through its membership and engagement platforms, the Botswana Chamber of Mines:
- Connected Oxygas directly with mining houses operating in Botswana
- Created structured supplier engagement forums
- Facilitated networking opportunities with procurement and technical teams
- Opened participation in mining conferences, exhibitions, and policy dialogues
These engagements enabled Oxygas to understand the exact technical specifications, safety requirements, and volume expectations of the mining sector — a crucial step toward scaling operations.
Driving Compliance and Standards Alignment
Mining is a zero-compromise industry when it comes to safety and quality. For a company dealing with industrial gases, compliance is everything.
The Botswana Chamber of Mines played a facilitative role by:
- Sharing industry safety benchmarks
- Providing updates on regulatory expectations
- Encouraging alignment with international standards
- Promoting responsible and sustainable operating practices
By aligning its processes with mining industry standards, Oxygas strengthened its internal systems — from cylinder safety protocols to logistics management and quality assurance.
This alignment didn’t just prepare the company for local mining clients — it positioned Oxygas to meet regional and international requirements.
Encouraging Localisation and Supplier Development
A key mandate within Botswana’s mining policy framework is citizen economic participation and local supplier development. The Chamber has consistently advocated for:
- Increased local procurement
- Supplier capacity development
- Skills transfer and enterprise growth
Strengthening Institutional Credibility
Export readiness requires more than production capacity — it requires institutional credibility.
Through association with the Botswana Chamber of Mines, Oxygas gained:
- Industry validation
- A stronger corporate reputation
- Visibility in high-level stakeholder platforms
- Access to policy discussions shaping the future of the sector
This institutional backing enhanced Oxygas’ brand positioning, making it easier to engage regional partners and explore cross-border opportunities within SADC and beyond.
From Local Supplier to Export-Ready Company
Today, Oxygas stands as an example of how structured industry collaboration can drive industrial growth. By leveraging:
- Market access
- Standards alignment
- Supplier development initiatives
- Strategic networking
Oxygas has strengthened its production systems, expanded its footprint, and positioned itself to serve markets beyond Botswana.
A Model for Industrial Growth in Botswana
The journey of Oxygas demonstrates that sectoral institutions like the Botswana Chamber of Mines play a vital catalytic role in national industrialisation.
When industry bodies, mining companies, and local manufacturers work together, the result is more than business growth — it is economic transformation.
As Botswana continues to pursue export diversification and value addition, partnerships like these will remain central to building globally competitive, locally rooted enterprises.