Overview

Optilab (Pty) Ltd is a Botswana-based optical company that operates within the Opticals Botswana Group. It is primarily involved in manufacturing, importing, and supplying optical products, particularly spectacle lenses and related eyewear solutions. The business is located in Gaborone and has been positioned as a pioneer in in-house lens manufacturing in the country.

Operations & Services

Lens Manufacturing: Optilab produces ophthalmic lenses locally, giving it better control over quality and supply.

Retail & Dispensing: Through its connection with the Opticals Botswana Group, it supports a network of optical practices and optometry clinics across Botswana.

Imports & Distribution: The company brings in a wide range of optical goods and precision instruments, primarily from markets like South Africa, the UAE, and India.

Market Role

Industry Position: As one of the few local manufacturers of optical lenses, Optilab plays a central role in the supply of eyewear within Botswana.

Trade Activity: The company is highly active in imports, handling hundreds of shipments annually. Its exports, however, remain limited.

Customer Base: Optilab serves both retail consumers through optical outlets and professional optometrists needing lens products.

Strengths

Local manufacturing capability, reducing reliance on imports for certain lens types.

Part of a wider optical group, which increases its reach and customer base.

Strong supply chain relationships with international markets for optical products.

Challenges

Export activity is minimal compared to imports, limiting international market presence.

Limited publicly available details about financial performance and production capacity.

Competitive pressures from regional and global optical suppliers.