The Tati Concessions land was originally part of the Matabeleland region, located in present-day Zimbabwe. In the late 19th century, British interest in this area intensified due to its mineral wealth, particularly gold, which attracted prospectors and settlers. Amid growing competition among European powers for influence in southern Africa, the British government sought to assert its authority over strategic territories. The formal annexation of the Tati Concessions into the Bechuanaland Protectorate represented a significant milestone in Britain's colonial pursuits on the continent.

The annexation was driven by the fervent desire to protect British economic interests and trade routes. The Tati Concessions provided essential resources that could benefit the expanding colonial economy. With the increased influx of European settlers and miners, the British authorities recognized the need to establish formal governance in these areas to ensure security and stability.

In annexing the land, the British further aimed to consolidate their control over the entire region, diminishing the political and military power of local rulers such as King Lobengula of the Ndebele. This move was seen as a direct challenge to indigenous authority and autonomy, leading to tensions and ultimately culminating in the First Matabele War. The long-term implications of this annexation were profound, contributing to the colonial landscape of southern Africa and setting a precedent for further encroachments into indigenous territories.