The Parliament of Botswana held a capacity-strengthening workshop, in partnership with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) from 18 to 22 May 2026. The theme of the workshop was ‘Enhancing Parliament’s Capacity to Advance Democracy, Accountability and Development Outcomes’.

Parliamentary Clerks and staff from Botswana were joined by their counterparts from across the Commonwealth, including Zambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Kenya and The Gambia. The Speaker of the National Assembly was also in attendance at several sessions. 

The Speaker of the National Assembly of Botswana, Hon. Dithapelo Keorapetse, MP, opened the seminar, saying:

“We are setting up to undertake a vigorous review and development of our strategies, structures and frameworks. The reform initiative we are about to embark on will be purpose built to champion democracy, modernise parliamentary administration and drive operational excellence. This workshop, therefore, is a clear turning point for parliamentary reform.” 

The Clerk of the National Assembly of Botswana, Dr Gabriel G. Malebang, said: 

“The Parliament of Botswana finds itself in unprecedented circumstances: a majority of Members of Parliament and Ntlo ya Dikgosi (the House of Chiefs) are newly elected and serving for the first time. While this atmosphere brings uncertainty, it also presents an extraordinary opportunity for strategic adaptation and alignment through embracing a growth mindset."

The programme follows Parliamentary elections in Botswana, and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Parliament, the CPA and the IPU committing to future joint activities aimed at parliamentary strengthening. Avni Kondhia, Programmes Manager and Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Network Coordinator at the CPA Secretariat, outlined the agreement's contents at the workshop’s opening. She said:  

“This is a pivotal moment in the history of Botswana. We recognise that Parliament must be an evolving institution reflecting the will of its people, and that the Botswana Parliament is at the forefront of this mission. I look forward to building the capacity and democratic resilience of this institution, starting with this week’s workshop.” 

The workshop focused on key parliamentary issues, with sessions on topics including an overview of Botswana’s Parliamentary reform agenda, codes of conduct, strategic planning and the establishment of institutions such as an independent budget office. 

The Memorandum of Understanding and the workshop also build on the CPA Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures Self-Assessment undertaken by the Parliament of Botswana in 2023. You can read more about that visit here. The CPA’s Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures provide a framework for excellence in Commonwealth parliamentary and legislative practice and, building on the 2006 and 2018 versions of the Benchmarks, were updated in 2025 to create a set of standards which meet high levels of good governance and robust parliamentary democracy.    

To find out more about this work please email hq.sec@cpahq.org. The CPA’s Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures are also available to download from the CPA website.

Watch a news report from BTV News covering the event below:

-ENDS- 

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is an international community of 180 Parliaments and Legislatures at national, state, provincial and territorial level working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance. Founded in 1911, the CPA brings together Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and implement the enduring values of the Commonwealth. It offers a vast opportunity for Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff to collaborate on issues of mutual interest and to share good practice.