ABOUT BOTSWANA

Originally a British Protectorate and called Bechuanaland, Botswana attained her Independence from Great Britain on 30th September 1966. Botswana is one of Africa’s success stories, from one of Africa’s poorest countries to a vibrant, developed, middle income African state. Sir Seretse Khama, Botswana’s founding President is credited for his prudent management of Botswana’s mineral wealth which paved the way for her enviable developmental success.

Sir Seretse Khama passed on in July 1980 and was succeeded by Quett Ketumile Joni Masire who was later knighted. He would lead until 1998, when he stood down from the Presidency to pave way for Mr. Festus Mogae, a well-respected African leader, having received the Mo Ibrahim Awards for Good Governance. Sir Ketumile Masire passed on in June 2017. Mr Festus Mogae would later make way for Sir Seretse Khama’s son, Lt General. Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama who became Botswana’s 4th democratic President. He is to vacate office in 2018.

1966 saw a poverty-stricken Botswana with less than 20kms of tarred road, a GDP of around 0.03 USD Billion and a largely uneducated workforce. Many at the time warned of impending disaster post-independence for Botswana. In their view there was little glimmer of hope that the country would be able stand on its own without the colonial master’s assistance.

Fast forward to 2017, Botswana has been on a transformational journey from her humble beginnings. According to the World Bank, ‘GDP in Botswana was worth 14.39 billion US dollars in 2015’. The GDP value of Botswana represents 0.02 percent of the world economy. The country averaged 4.30 USD Billion from 1960 until 2015, reaching an all-time high of 17.22 USD Billion in 2014. These figures show Botswana’s economy as one of the fastest growing in Africa.

Diamonds were discovered in 1967 and the diamond proceeds have been a major driver of Botswana’s rapid development. The Orapa Mine, owned by Debswana Diamond Company, began operations in 1971, marking the beginning of the ‘Diamonds for Development’ era. Later on the Jwaneng, Letlhakane, Damtshaa, Karowe and Firestone Mines would also start operations, making Botswana one of the biggest producers of diamonds in the world. The mining sector, in particular diamonds, has played a critical role in Botswana’s development. The discovery and subsequent mining of diamonds in partnership with global corporation De Beers became a bedrock of the economy and government revenue. It was through this partnership, that government was able to establish an education system that would be virtually free for all its citizens from primary to tertiary level. It is these efforts that have pushed up the literacy levels in the country to 85%, giving the nation a strong workforce for development.

The revenue has over the years, also been used to drive infrastructure development, extend free universal health care and significant social support system for the citizens.