Country Profile: Botswana

COUNTRY PROFILE: BOTSWANA

April 2020

COUNTRY

Formal Name: Republic of Botswana (Lefatshe la

Botswana).

Short Form: Botswana.

Term for Citizen(s): Batswana (plural) or Motswana

(singular).

Capital: Gaborone.

Major Cities: Gaborone is the biggest city in Botswana as well as the economic and government
capital of the country. The city hosts about 10% of the nation’s population. The city is located on
the banks of the Notwane River in Botswana’s south-eastern corner. The city center of Gaborone
is an important commercial business hub of the country and has a semi-circle shaped area hosting
the important government offices. The Sir Seretse Khama International Airport serves the city.

Independence: Botswana gained independence from Britain on 30 September 1966 under the
leadership of Seretse Khama. Khama was elected president by the National Assembly in 1966 and
then reelected for two additional terms, until he passed away in 1980.

Public Holiday: New Year's Day (January 1), New Year Holiday (January 2), Good Friday (April
10), Easter Saturday (April 11), Easter Monday (April 13), Labour Day (May 1), Ascension Day
(May 21), Sir Seretse Khama Day (July 1), President's Day (July 20), President's Day Holiday
(July 21), Botswana Day (September 30), Botswana Day Holiday (October 1), Christmas Day
(December 25), Boxing Day (December 26).

Flag: Broad, light-blue horizontal stripes, divided by black central

stripe bordered by narrow white stripes. The blue represents water, the
white-black-white bands depict the racial harmony of the people as well
as the pluralist nature of the society. They are inspired by the coat of the
zebra, the national animal.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Botswana is inhabited by people of predominantly Tswana origin (collectively called “Batswana”)
whose recorded history can be traced back to the 14th century. They are believed to be descendants
of King Mogale who lived in the present-day Magaliesberg Mountains in the Gauteng Province of
South Africa. They migrated northwards, at different times and due to different causes, and
established themselves in what was then a relatively unexplored territory.
 Country Profile: Botswana

Towards the turn of the 19th century, the people who resided in the area known as Botswana, made
up of at least eight ethnic Chiefdoms whose peoples shared a common language and history, co-
existed in relative peace.

During this period, Britain was consolidating its military and economic strength as a major colonial
power in Southern Africa. At the same time, Dutch settlers calling themselves Afrikaners (Boers)
and German settlers in Namibia (then South West Africa) were pushing northwards and
westwards, respectively, annexing more and more Batswana lands.

In 1870, three DIKGOSI (Botswana traditional leaders) made representation to the British
Government regarding the threat of their territory’s annexation by the Dutch and German settlers.
With the earnest support of some local British organisations and individuals, the lobby for
protection succeeded in 1885, resulting in the Bechuanaland Protectorate.

After 80 years as a British protectorate, Bechuanaland attained self-government in 1965, becoming

the independent Republic of Botswana on September 30, 1966, and maintaining a position of
stability and harmony ever since. Sir Seretse Khama was elected the first president and served until
his death in 1980.

Since independence, Botswana has maintained a thriving democracy, clean government, an up-
right judiciary, peace and stability, and a well-managed economy.

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has been in power since the first democratic elections in
1966, and continues to draw support from a wide range of Botswana's population. Mr. Ketumile
Masire served as Botswana's second president, taking over from the late Sir Seretse Khama in July
1980 and continuing a tradition of good governance. He voluntarily retired from office in 1998,
and was succeeded by Mr. Festus Mogae. Mr. Mogae finished his second term in 2008 handing
over power to the incumbent President Ian Khama.

GEOGRAPHY

Location: Southern Africa, between 20° and 30°E, between 18° and 27°S.

Size: 581,730 km2

Land Boundaries: 4,347.15 km

Disputed Territory: Botswana and Namibia had a long-running dispute

about ownership of the Kasikili / Sedudu island in the Chobe River,
which forms part of the border between the two countries. In December
1999, Judges at the World Court ruled that the island belongs to
Botswana. In the Caprivi Strip, the UNHCR reported that between
October 1998 and February 1999 more than 2,400 Namibians crossed
south into Botswana.
 Country Profile: Botswana

The Okavango Delta in Botswana is an area famous internationally for its birds and wildlife and
an important source of tourist revenue, but depends on the Okavango River which flows from
Angola via Namibia. In 1997 Namibia had been facing an extended drought and announced plans
to divert water from the river, which threatened to become a serious issue between the two
countries.

Length of Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime Claims: none (landlocked)

Topography: The country is a broad tableland with a mean altitude of 1,000 m (3,300 ft). A vast
plateau about 1,200 m (4,000 ft) in height, extending from near Kanye north to the Zimbabwean
border, divides the country into two distinct topographical regions. The eastern region is hilly bush
country and grassland (veld). To the west lie the Okavango Swamps and the Kalahari Desert. The
only sources of year-round surface water are the Chobe River in the north, the Limpopo in the
southeast, and the Okavango in the northwest. In seasons of heavy rainfall, floodwaters flow into
the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Lake Ngami, and Lake Xau.

Principal Rivers: The main rivers in Botswana are Okavango, Linyanti, Kwando, Chobe,
Thamalakane, Limpopo, Molopo, Boteti, Khwai and many more. Most of the rivers do not
originate within Botswana and flow from neighboring countries with different river names. As an
example, Cubango in Angola, Kavango in Namibia and Okavango in Botswana are basically the
same rivers, and the latter empties directly into the Okavango Delta or Okavango Alluvial Fan. As
for the Linyanti River, it traces its origin from Cuando River in South Central Africa flowing from
Angola into Namibia and then Botswana as Kwando and Linyanti Rivers, and finally turning into
the Chobe River meeting the mighty Zambezi in Zimbabwe and Zambia leading up to the
thundering Victoria Falls.

Climate: Subtropical. Summer (November-March): 19-35°C; Winter (June-August): 5-23°C.

Rainy Season November-March

Natural Resources: Botswana’s main natural resources consists of diamonds, copper, nickel, salt,
soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver.

Land Use: Agricultural land, 45.8% (2011est.); Arable land, 0.6% (2011est.); Permanent
crops, 0% (2011 est.); Permanent pasture, 45.2% (2011est.); Forest, 19.8% (2011est.);
other, 34.4%(2011est.).

Environmental Factors: Botswana is a lightly industrialized country with a relatively sparse

population. As such, air pollution is not perceived to be a major problem at present. As in other
countries in the region, widespread vegetation fires and dust in the dry winter months establish a
moderately high background level of aerosols and ozone. A copper smelter located at Selibi-Pikwe
is a significant source of Sulphur dioxide. Vehicle use within the capital, Gaborone, and the towns
of Francistown and Maun is increasing, and could be a future source of air pollutants. The national
development strategy, which includes increased light industry, could lead to greater air pollution
impacts in the future (Pollution and toxicity);
 Country Profile: Botswana

Botswana has the largest fraction of land area under formal conservation of any country in the
world. The preservation of the large mammal and bird biota, as well as the unique landscapes of
the Kalahari, the Okavango Delta, and the Chobe area, are especially important to the continued
growth of the tourism sector. The principle tension is between wildlife and domestic livestock.
Areas which were formerly very sparsely inhabited and lightly used, due to lack of water,
geographic isolation and the presence of cattle diseases, are now becoming accessible to cattle
raisers due to the development of new roads, boreholes and veterinary services (Biodiversity
preservation);

The arable land area in Botswana is small, due to the low rainfall and the sandy, infertile soils,
which prevail over most of the country. Maintenance of the productive potential of this scarce
resource is a key issue: soil erosion and bush encroachment (and its opposite, depletion of woody
cover) are perceived as significant threats (Land quality);

Botswana is generally an arid country, with little surface water except in the far north. Much of
the country depends on groundwater. Major issues are the rate of groundwater replenishment
relative to the rate of extraction, and groundwater quality. The quality and quantity of inflows to
the Okavango delta are also key variables (Freshwater resources);

and Recurrent droughts are a major feature of life in Botswana. Climate variability and any changes
in variability or trends in aridity would be of major importance to Botswana (Climate change).

Time Zone: Botswana Standard Time is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time ( GMT+2 ).
Botswana is in Central Africa Time Zone ( CAT ).
SOCIETY

Population: The current population of Botswana is 2,341,649 as of April 18, 2020, based on
Worldometer elaboration of the latest United Nations data. Botswana 2020 population is estimated
at 2,351,627 people at mid-year according to UN data. The country’s population is equivalent to
0.03% of the total world population. Botswana ranks number 145 in the list of countries (and
dependencies) by population. The population density in Botswana is 4 per Km2 (11 people per
mi2). 72.8 percent of the population is urban (1,712,212 people in 2020). The total number of
populations basing on the largest city in Botswana, Gaborone, is 208,411 people.

Demography: The 2020 Botswana’s age distribution was estimated as follows: 0-14 years, 30.54
percent; 15-24 years, 18.31 percent; 25-54 years, 39.67 percent; 55-64 years, 5.92; 65 years and
over, 5.56 percent. The median age in Botswana is 24.0 years. According to Worldometer as of
2020, the total fertility rate in Botswana is 2.9 percent children born per woman; the infant
mortality rate is 26.7 infant deaths per 1,000 live births and the death under age 5 is 33.7 per 1,000
live births. Also, life expectancy at birth is 69.9 years for the total population, consisting of 72.7
years for women and 66.7 years for men.

Ethnic Groups: Botswana's main ethnic groups are the Tswana, Kalanga, Batswapong, Babirwa,
Basarwa or Bushmen, Bayei, Hambukushu, Basubia, Baherero and Bakgalagadi.
 Country Profile: Botswana

The Tswana, who are the largest ethnic group have eight tribes or sub-groups who are
Bamangwato, Bakwena, Bangwaketse, Batawana, Batlokwa, Bakgatla, Barolong and Balete. In
addition, there are other groups in the minority who include whites and Indians. There also exist
settlers from neighbouring countries from Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia and Angola
to add to the cultural mix. Collectively, all of these ethnic groups are referred to as Batswana;
people of Botswana.

Culture: The cultural life of Botswana reflects the dual heritage and intermingling of Tswana and
English cultural domination. The two languages and cultures are subtly mixed and alternated in
urban and official situations. Western dress has been general among people in Botswana, except
at the poorest level, since the late 19th century. Rites of burial, marriage, and birth have been
adapted to Christianity and remain extremely important in Botswana life. Football (soccer) is the
national sport, played on fields and in stadiums across the country every Saturday.

Common diet and cuisine consist of sorghum and corn (maize) porridge, beans and other pulses,
and traditional spinach, supplemented by tomatoes, potatoes, onions, and cabbage usually
purchased from stores. Meat consumption has become more common with the opening of small
butcheries selling beef. Traditional foods include dried phane caterpillars from mopane woodland,
eaten as relish or snacks, fruits such as the wild morula plum, and beer made from sorghum or
millet.

Traditional music, based on stringed instruments, and dance generally declined during the colonial
period. After independence there was a revival of interest, particularly in music on the radio. The
best-known modern art form incorporating traditional craftwork is basketry—most of it from
northwestern Botswana—which is widely exported overseas. The author Bessie Head (1937–86)
wrote novels in English that reflect the contemporary realities and history of Serowe. The
publishing of fiction in Tswana was revived in the 1980s.

There is a national museum and art gallery in Gaborone and an increasing number of district
museums founded by local community initiative. A national learned and scientific society, the
Botswana Society, holds regular lectures and publishes an annual journal and books.

The government issues a free daily newspaper, mostly in English, and runs television and radio
stations, mostly in Tswana and English. There are also several separate private weekly newspapers,
with circulation in eastern towns, and private local television stations, mostly relaying broadcasts
from neighbouring countries. There is no government censorship. During the 1980s three
multinational publishers set up branches to generate published materials for schools.
Languages: The official languages of Botswana are English and Tswana. English, which was
inherited from colonial rule, is the official business language of Botswana, and most written
communication is in English. A majority of the population speaks Tswana, but there are over 20
much smaller languages. Botswana also has many dying languages and also many expanding
languages. Although there are two clear official languages, there are other languages that a large
percentage of the population speaks. Over 90% of the population speak a Bantu language natively.
The most common Bantu languages spoken are Tswana/Setswana (estimated to be spoken natively
by 77.3%, though the real number may be higher), Kalanga (7.4%), Kgalagadi (3.4%), Shona
(2%), Mbukushu (1.6%), and Ndebele (1%). 1.7% speak Tshwa (a Khoe language) and 0.1%
 Country Profile: Botswana

speak !Xóõ, a Tuu language (both non-Bantu). A further 2.8% also speak English, the official
language as their first language, and a small number speak Afrikaans.
The number of individual languages listed for Botswana is 31. All are living languages. Of these,
26 are indigenous and 5 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 4 are institutional, 9 are developing, 8
are vigorous, 9 are in trouble, and 1 is dying.

Religion: Botswana is a Christian majority nation having 79.1%, Badimo 4.1%, other 1.4%
(includes Baha'i, Hindu, Muslim, Rastafarian), none 15.2%, unspecified 0.3% (2011 est.)

Education and Literacy: Since independence, enrollment at all levels of education has increased
steadily, and by the 21st century almost half the adult population had completed primary schooling.
Enrollments in primary education are still lower in the remote western and northwestern districts
than in other areas of the country, however, as poorer non-Tswana children often miss out on
school. International interest has been aroused by an alternative system of education, integrating
vocational skills into the secondary curriculum, developed by the educationist Patrick van
Rensburg at Swaneng Hill near Serowe. But his system of “education with production” has had
little impact on the general curriculum within Botswana’s schools.

Botswana’s education system follows a ten-year course focusing on both academic and practical
skills. Children start in primary school at the age of six, moving on after standard seven to a further
three years at junior secondary school. Examinations held at the end of forum 3 – roughly aged 15
– determine whether or not a child may continue into senior secondary education, to study for the
Botswana General Certificate of education. A university campus in Gaborone, founded in 1976,
became the University of Botswana in 1982. Officially, more than four-fifths of the population is
considered literate. Rural literacy rates are higher in the east and northeast and lower in the west
and northwest. Success in this opens up the option of attending technical college or the University
of Botswana.

Primary education is compulsory for all children and is free up to the age of 13, after which 95%
of the cost is funded by the government. Primary school attendance is around 90/92% for
boys/girls, falling considerably at secondary level to around 52/59%. Adult literacy comes out at
80/82%. This pattern of the girls generally receiving more education is unusual in Africa, where
sons are often favoured by their parents over daughters – but given women’s pivotal role in
bringing up children and running households in this traditional society, it bodes well for the future.

Health: Botswana has a dry and warm climate generally conducive to good health. The incidence
of tropical diseases—notably malaria, bilharzia (schistosomiasis), and sleeping sickness—is
limited by the environment and lack of surface water. The most common fatal diseases are
intestinal (diarrheal and digestive diseases) and respiratory (pneumonia and tuberculosis).

Botswana provides universal healthcare to all citizens through a public healthcare system, but
privately-run healthcare is also available. The government operates 98% of all medical facilities.
Healthcare in Botswana is delivered through a decentralized model with primary healthcare being
the pillar of the delivery system. Botswana has an extensive network of health facilities (hospitals,
clinics, health posts, mobile stops) in the 27 health districts. In addition to an extensive network of
101 clinics with beds, 171 clinics without beds, 338 health posts and 844 mobile stops primary
 Country Profile: Botswana

health care (PHC) services in Botswana are integrated within overall hospital services, being
provided in the outpatient sections of all levels of hospitals. It is through these structures that a
complement of preventive, promotive and rehabilitative health services as well as treatment and
care of common problems are provided. For a general check-up, citizens are charged 5 pula, unless
they are under five or over 65, in which case check-ups are free. The network of public hospitals
is organized between primary hospitals, which function as general hospitals and equipped to deal
with most diseases and immediate threats to health, district hospitals, which have more beds and
are equipped to deal with more serious medical issues, and referral hospitals, which are highly
advanced facilities equipped to deal with specialized problems. There are also two private hospitals
in the country. The government pays for the treatment of patients referred abroad for medical
procedures.

In 2004, there were an estimated 241 nurses, 29 physicians and 2 dentists per 100,000 people. In
1995, 70% of the population had access to safe water and 55% of the population had access to
sanitation. Public health teams conduct tuberculosis and malaria control campaigns.

Some threats to health are diseases associated with changing lifestyle, particularly diet. There has
been an increased incidence of high blood pressure, strokes, and heart disease, as well as dental
caries in older children. The spread of AIDS has had a devastating effect in Botswana, where the
rate of infection has been one of the highest in the world; late in the first decade of the 21st century,
about one-fourth of the adult population was infected with HIV, and the growing number of AIDS
orphans loomed as a serious social problem. The government mounted an aggressive response,
increasing HIV/AIDS awareness and coordinating efforts to curtail the epidemic. In 2002
Botswana became the first African country to provide free HIV antiretroviral medication to all
citizens. The comprehensive and effective treatment programs have reduced HIV/AIDS-related
deaths. The combination of declining fertility and increasing mortality rates because of HIV/AIDS
is slowing the population aging process, with a narrowing of the youngest age groups and little
expansion of the oldest age groups. Nevertheless, having the bulk of its population (about 60%) of
working age will only yield economic benefits if the labor force is healthy, educated, and
productively employed.

Welfare: Botswana’s welfare state is both a parsimonious laggard in comparison with some other
middle-income countries in Africa (such as Mauritius and South Africa) and extensive (in
comparison with its low-income neighbors to the north and east). Coverage is broad but cash
transfers are modest.

This reflects distinctively conservative features—including, especially, preferences for workfare

and for minimal benefits paid in kind (food) rather than cash—combined with parsimonious cash
transfers for select categories of deserving poor (the elderly and orphans), administered through
the Department of Local Government, not a dedicated welfare department.

This is a very different model of welfare state-building—and, more generally, social contract—to
those of its neighbors in Southern Africa. It is the result of the specific character of poverty in
Botswana and the enduring, but not unchallenged, political dominance of the conservatively
paternalist Botswana Democratic Party.
 Country Profile: Botswana

ECONOMY

Overview: Botswana has enjoyed strong and stable growth since independence, with sizable fiscal
buffers and prudent policies playing a key role in shielding the economy, despite diamond market
weakness and volatility. More recently, however, the limitations of Botswana’s diamond-led
development model have become more apparent: growth is slower, inequality remains high and
job creation is limited.

Having achieved strong growth of 4.5% in 2018, growth is estimated to have slowed to 3.5% in
2019, reflecting the effects of weakened global demand for diamonds alongside severe droughts
affecting the region.

The global slowdown in demand and increased trade restrictions in light of the COVID-19
(coronavirus) pandemic is expected to have a profound impact on Botswana’s economy,
particularly on the diamond industry and tourism.

With the diamond industry still an important driver of growth, being the single largest contributor
to government revenues and accounting 80% of export earning, the expected reduction in activity
is estimated to result in a 1.2% growth contraction in 2020. Growth is predicted to stabilize at just
over 4% by 2022 as global demand recovers and thus create conditions for a reduction in extreme
poverty levels. The authorities’ ability to implement a new growth model focusing on export
diversification strategy as outlined in the National Development Plan 11 (NPD 11) and much
needed doing business reforms will play a critical role in Botswana’s economic performance.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): Real GDP is estimated to have grown 3.5% in 2019 after
averaging nearly 4% in 2016–18, driven by the continued recovery in diamond production,
following a rebound in global demand and resumption of operations at the Damtshaa mine in
January 2018. With a fairly robust and broad-based expansion in nonmining activities. Supported
by higher public investment and accommodative monetary policy, Botswana’s economy has
recovered well from the recession in 2015.

Government Budget: The fiscal position has weakened on the back of higher spending associated
with stimulating the economy and lower mineral revenues and receipts from the Southern African
Customs Union (SACU). The fiscal deficit is estimated at 2.4% of GDP in 2019, financed primarily
through drawdowns of fiscal savings and issuance of securities under the Government Note
Program. Public debt, estimated at 23% of GDP in 2019, thus remains low.

The external position remains moderate, though the surplus in the current account shows signs of
narrowing and is estimated to drop to 1.0% of GDP in 2019 from 1.9% in 2018. Faced with volatile
diamond export revenues, the government has financed its public investments through reserve
drawdowns rather than foreign debt. International reserve buffers have thus been declining since
2016, but remain high ($6.6 billion at the end of 2018, or 13 months of imports).

Inflation: Inflation averaged 3% between 2015 and 2018 and will remain stable at about 3.1% in
2019. Monetary policy has been progressively loosened, with periodic reductions in the policy rate
 Country Profile: Botswana

(to 4.75% in August 2019 from 5% in October 2017). Low inflation reflects a combination of low
domestic demand and modest increases in foreign prices.

Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing: Very little of Botswana’s land is suitable for productive
cultivation. Agricultural output constitutes less than one-tenth of the gross national product, and
most of that is in the form of livestock production for urban and export markets. Grain production
(mostly sorghum, millet, and corn [maize]) fell short of national consumption for most of the 20th
century, and foodstuffs from South Africa and Zimbabwe are some of Botswana’s major import
commodities. Fishing and forestry production are limited and largely confined to the extreme
north.

Botswana is traditionally seen as cattle country. Given sufficient water and pasture and controls
on the spread of foot-and-mouth disease from wetland buffalo, it is a healthy environment for
raising high-bulk, high-quality indigenous beef cattle. The government has invested heavily in
disease prevention, modern slaughterhouses, and support services for cattle producers. Various
schemes—so far unsuccessful—have been attempted to improve range management. Meanwhile,
access to Botswana’s main export market for beef, the European Union, improved with the
reduction of levies and tariffs in the early 21st century.

Agriculture contributes only 2% of GDP (World Bank, 2018) and employs 23% of the population.
However, it is an important source of income for many Botswanans who live in rural areas. Cattle
raising dominates the sector and contributes 80% to the agricultural GDP. Cattle population nearly
equals human population, therefore most livestock production is export-oriented (towards the
European Union and other destinations). As desert and poor soils cover more than 70% of the
country, arable land is very scarce. Crop production is not too productive due to traditional farming
methods, erratic rainfall, recurrent droughts and erosion. The crop sub-sector is dominated by the
production of cereals, with sorghum accounting for 72% of national cereal production, followed
by maize (17%) and millet (6%).

Mining and Minerals: Mining in Botswana is controlled through sound legislative instruments,
especially the Mines and Mineral Act, to regulate issuance of exploration and mining licenses. In
addition, this helps to strike a balance between mining activity and environmental control. The
legislation sets the platform for government to have a stake in the mining projects, especially as a
partner. In addition government may seek participation in the mining projects by having
representation in boards. The government arm that oversees the mining sector in Botswana is the
Ministry of Mineral Resources and Water Affairs with Departments of Geological Survey and
Mines playing a leading role.

Mining in Botswana plays a significant role in the country's economy. It contributes a third to the
country's GDP and 50% of tax earnings. Mining in Botswana that started off in 1965 takes about
80% of the total export of the country's products. Mining takes up about 20% of the entire
employment sector. And 80% of the mining manpower are employed in two mining companies of
Debswana (merger between De Beers Pty Ltd and Botswana Government) and BCL. The country
has huge deposits of diamond, copper, coal, cobalt, gold, salt, soda ash, nickel and uranium. But
without a doubt, diamond mining dominates mining in Botswana.
 Country Profile: Botswana

Diamonds, the major economic resource of the country, have been exploited on a large scale since
1970. They are mined from some of the world’s largest diamond pipes at Orapa and Letlhakane,
south of the Makgadikgadi Pans, and at Jwaneng in the southeastern sandveld. Nickel and copper
have been mined at Selebi-Phikwe near the Motloutse River since 1974. Coal is mined for power
generation at Morupule near Palapye. Botswana’s other major proven mineral resources are salt
and soda ash, which was fully exploited at Sua on the eastern Makgadikgadi Pans from 1991.

Industry and Manufacturing: Industrial development in Botswana has been limited by the high
costs of power and water, the lack of appropriate management and labour skills, and the small
domestic market. Manufacturing activity up to the 1980s largely consisted of meat processing at
Lobatse in the south. In the early 1980s capital and textile production were transferred from
Zimbabwe to nearby Francistown in Botswana, and diamond sorting and service industries grew
in the booming capital city, Gaborone. The growth of the diamond industry continued in the
following decades, and in 2008 De Beers S.A. established a sophisticated diamond-sorting and
valuing facility in Gaborone, which at the time of its opening was the world’s largest and most
sophisticated plant of its kind.

The industrial sector contributes to almost 30% of GDP (World Bank, 2019) and employs 18%,
which is dominated by diamond processing, food processing (mostly beef), textiles and mining.
Diamond mining and processing is also a major source of government revenue and foreign
currency. Copper, gold, nickel and soda ash production also hold a significant place in the
economy. GDP From Manufacturing in Botswana increased to 1518.40 BWP Million in the fourth
quarter of 2019 from 1510.90 BWP Million in the third quarter of 2019.

Services: The service sector is by far the largest component of GDP and accounts for nearly 60%
of the economy. It employs 59% of the active population. GDP From Services in Botswana
increased to 5513.10 BWP Million in the fourth quarter of 2019 from 5353 BWP Million in the
third quarter of 2019.

Banking and Finance: Banks maintained good quality assets in 2019, with a decline in credit
default rates. The ratio of non-performing loans (NPLs) to total credit was 4.8 percent in December
2019, compared to 5.4 percent in December 2018; the NPL ratio for individual banks ranged from
zero to 6.3 percent in December 2019. By sector, the ratio of NPLs to total loans for households
decreased from 4.2 percent in December 2018 to 3.2 percent in December 2019, while for
businesses, it increased from 7.3 percent to 7.5 percent in the same period. There was, however,
sufficient provisioning by banks to cover NPLs, with banks remaining profitable. Overall, the
capital, asset quality, liquidity and profitability levels that meet prudential requirements for banks
indicate a generally sound and stable financial system.

Commercial bank credit growth is moderate, and commensurate with the rate of increase in GDP,
as measured by the credit-to-GDP gap, which was below both its trend and the 10 percent threshold
at the end of September 2019. The low credit-to-GDP gap signifies that there is room for sustained
economic expansion from positive shocks to financial conditions. Furthermore, the gap has been
positive since the global financial crisis, mainly reflecting the trend decline in the rate of GDP
growth, which in the main, was due to the overall subdued performance of the mining sector. A
 Country Profile: Botswana

credit-to-GDP gap that moves significantly above its trend or exceeds some critical threshold
(typically 10 percent) portends emerging financial imbalances and risk of financial distress.

Broadly, the Bank contributes to macroeconomic stability and policy congruence through the
pursuit and attainment of its primary objectives and coordination with relevant institutions with
respect to price and financial stability, as well as stability of the inflation-adjusted trade-weighted
exchange rate. Through focusing and delivering on its specific roles, the Bank contributes to
maintenance of a conducive environment for structural reforms and transformation initiatives to
gain traction, potentially leading to higher rates of growth needed to transit the economy to high
income status. Given that both monetary policy and fiscal policy are expansionary, immediate
implementation of transformation initiatives and structural reforms would raise prospects for faster
growth and economic diversification.

Tourism: The expanding sectors are tourism (notably ecotourism) and transportation. The total
contribution of tourism to GDP stands at 11% whereas its total contribution to employment reaches
7.1% (World Travel & Tourism Council 2017).

Tourists are attracted to Botswana by relatively unpopulated and “remote” wetland and thirstland
environments. Government policy is to limit the density and environmental impact of tourism
through licensing of a limited number of high-cost safari companies.

Labor: Botswana's Unemployment Rate increased to 18.19 percent in Dec 2019, from the
previously reported number of 17.35 percent in Dec 2018. Botswana's Unemployment Rate is
updated yearly, available from Dec 1991 to Dec 2019, with an average rate of 17.89 percent. The
data reached an all-time high of 23.80 percent in Dec 2003 and a record low of 13.82 percent in
Dec 1991. The data is reported by reported by CEIC Data. In the latest reports, Botswana's
Population reached 2.35 million people in Dec 2020. Monthly Earnings of Botswana stood at
611.10 USD in Dec 2018. The country's Labour Force Participation Rate increased to 70.82
percent in Dec 2019.

Foreign Economic Relations: Botswana has put a premium on economic and political integration
in southern Africa. It has sought to make the Southern African Development Community (SADC)
a working vehicle for economic development, and it has promoted efforts to make the region self-
policing in terms of preventive diplomacy, conflict resolution, and good governance. The SADC
headquarters are located in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana. It has welcomed post-apartheid
South Africa as a partner in these efforts. Botswana joins the African consensus on most major
international matters and is a member of international organizations, such as the United Nations
and the African Union. Botswana is also a member of the International Criminal Court with a
Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the US-military.

Imports: In 2018 Botswana’s imports of goods and services as percentage of GDP was 38 percent.
Botswana is the 92nd largest importer worldwide. In 2017, Botswana imported goods worth US$
5.28 billion. The main categories of imports include metal and metal products, textiles, wood and
paper products, machinery and electric equipment, beverages and tobacco, fuel, food, chemical
and rubber products, and vehicles.
 Country Profile: Botswana

Exports: In 2018 Botswana’s exports of goods and services as percentage of GDP was 39 percent.
The main exports are diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, beef and textiles. Botswana is the world's
largest producer of quality gem diamonds which account for about 70 percent of exports by value.
Botswana is a major exporter of beef, mainly to the EU.

Trade Balance: Botswana posted a trade surplus of BWP 333.6 million in January of 2020, higher
than that recorded a year ago of BWP 130.5 million. This was the first trade surplus since June of
last year, as exports soared 8.2 percent to BWP 5,179 million, mainly boosted by sales of diamonds
(7%) and machinery & electrical equipment (130%). Meanwhile, imports rose 4 percent to BWP
4,845 million, driven by acquisitions of fuel (75.2%); machinery & electrical equipment (21.2%)
and food, beverages & tobacco (15.8%). Main export partners were India (27.8% of total sales),
Belgium (18.5% and South Africa (16.1%) whereas the main import partners were South Africa
(75.5% of total purchases) and Canada and India (4% each).

Balance of Payments: Botswana’s BoP: Current Account data was reported at -5,521.720 BWP
mn in Sep 2019. This records a decrease from the previous number of 846.116 BWP mn for Jun
2019. Botswana’s BoP: Current Account data is updated quarterly, averaging 794.890 BWP mn
from Mar 2004 to Sep 2019, with 63 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 15,079.574
BWP mn in Mar 2016 and a record low of -12,190.408 BWP mn in Dec 2016.

External Debt: Botswana's External Debt accounted for 8.6 percent of the country's Nominal
GDP in 2019, compared with the ratio of 7.8 percent in the previous year.

Foreign Investment: According to UNCTAD, FDI inflows in Botswana rose from USD 177
million in 2017 to USD 229 million in 2018. This is mostly due to an increase in the automotive
FDI. The total stock of FDI in Botswana reached USD 4.82 billion in 2018, estimated at 25.4
percent of the country's GDP (World Investment Report 2019, UNCTAD). The mining sector
attracts most of the FDI. However, investments in the services industry (insurance and banking)
have been growing in recent years. FDI primarily comes from the Southern African Customs
Union (SACU), the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), Canada and Zimbabwe.

The Government of Botswana is seeking to diversify its economy and secure more FDIs. The
country’s strengths lie in its low levels of corruption (the lowest in Africa), good economic
governance, liberal tax system and stable democracy. Botswana has also received positive reviews
from various international rating agencies. However, high production costs, a lack of skilled labour
and the country’s landlocked position are significant obstacles for potential investors.

The country has been ranked 87th worldwide, for the ease of doing business in the Doing Business
2020 Report by the World Bank. This represent a slight decline from 2019 edition when the
country was ranked 86th. This ranking Botswana ahead of other African countries, but represents
a decline compared to the previous years (down 6 positions compared to the 2018 report, in which
the country had already lost 10 positions). Botswana made registering property more difficult.
Leading economists in the country have reported that the significant financial reserves generated
by the diamond industry have resulted in a lack of interest from international investors led to
believe the country does not need an inflow of foreign capital. Government puts measures in place
to increase investment in the agriculture, diamond, education, health and transportation sectors.
 Country Profile: Botswana

Foreign Aid: Botswana is one of the United States' strongest allies in Africa and offers a powerful
model to the region and world of a stable, democratic African nation. However, while attempting
to meet the pressing need to diversify its diamond-dependent economy, Botswana continues to
struggle to address one of the world's highest rates of income inequality and the second highest
HIV prevalence rate in the world. U.S. assistance supports management of the HIV/AIDS
epidemic, including the epidemic's broader impact on women and vulnerable citizens. U.S.
assistance also seeks to build a more robust military-to-military partnership with Botswana while
encouraging its support for regional security.

Currency and Exchange Rate: Botswana’s currency is Pula (BWP, abbreviated to P). The
exchange rate of Botswana as of April 2020, the 1 US Dollar is equivalent to about 12 Botswana
Pula.

Fiscal Year: 1 April - 31 March

TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Transportation Overview: Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa surrounded by

the Namibia in the west and then north west, Zambia and Zimbabwe in the north and north east
and the republic of south Africa on its remaining borders. It has a large area of I wanted 582,000
km². However, the Kgalagari desert constitutes 75 percent of the land mass and is, largely, and
uninhabitable. The majority of the people live in the settlements along a North-South axis in the
east of the country, adjacent to the desert. In this belt four centres are classified as urban areas. Of
these, the capital, Gaborone, is the largest, with the population of approximately 208,411 people.

Public transport in Botswana is geared towards the needs of the local populace and is confined to
main roads between major population centres. Roads maintained by Central Government remained
constant at 18,507 km from 2013 to 2015. Out of this 18,507 km, 6,925 km (37.4 percent) is
bitumen, 7,560 km (40.8 percent) gravel and 4,022 km (21.7 percent) is sand. Total road network
maintained by Local Authorities in 2015 remained the same as in 2014; at 11,768.64 km. Local
Authorities are in charge of access roads which are less than 10 km and all the internal roads. The
Central District had more tertiary roads than other districts; it had 24.7 percent of total tertiary
roads. The Kweneng District followed with 13.6 percent. The Southern and Kgatleng Districts
were Sand; 15,7% Earth; 15,8% Interlocking bricks; 0,1% Bitumen; 33,4% Gravel; 35,0% 39 next
with 10.8 percent and 8.8 percent respectively. Most of the roads in these districts were mostly
earth. Earth roads in the Central District constituted 49.1 percent of the total roads in the area while
in Kweneng and Southern districts they constituted 58.1 percent and 68.9 percent respectively.
Botswana is a landlocked country in the centre of SADC Region; therefore its road infrastructure
is put under strenuous condition having to act as the central nerve of transit traffic between her
neighbours. Since independence there has been a deliberate policy by the government through
Roads Department under the Ministry of Works and Transport to provide road network to link all
population centres, cities, towns and neighbouring countries. Road transport is the major mode of
surface travel in Botswana, covering about 93 percent of the total volume of passenger transport.
The railway, a single line, which runs from South to North on the eastern side of the country,
together with air transport, are responsible for about 7 percent of passenger transportation.
 Country Profile: Botswana

Roads: Roads in Botswana are managed and maintained under the Central Government and Local
Authorities. In 2018, total road network in Botswana measured 31,761.9 km, of which 18,507 km
(58.3 percent) was under the care of Central Government while 13,239.7 km (41.7 percent) was
maintained by Local authorities. The bulk of roads in Botswana in 2018 were gravel, constituting
34.7 percent of total road network. Earth and Sand/track accounted for 17.6 and 16.6 percent
respectively. Bitumen roads on the other hand constituted 30.8 percent of total road network.
Roads maintained by Central Government remained constant at 18,507 km from 2013 to 2018.
Out of this total, 6,955 km (37.6 percent) was bitumen, 7,530 km (40.7 percent) gravel and 4,022
km (21.7 percent) was sand.

Railroads: Botswana has 971 kilometers (603 miles) rail lines, 18,482 kilometers (11,484 miles)
of roads (of which only 23 percent are paved).

Ports: Botswana Railways has got four (4) dry ports, with container terminals located in Gaborone
(GABCON), Francistown (FRANCON) and in Palapye (PALCON) and Walvis Bay Dry port in
Namibia. Established with the aim of increasing BR’s share of traffic, these dry ports facilities
have reduced the turnaround time and costs of containerized cargo deliveries, giving locally based
importers and exporters a safe, faster, cheaper alternative to road transport.

Inland Waterways: The Okavango Delta is one of the world's great inland
waterways. The Okavango Delta (or Okavango Grassland) (formerly spelled "Okovango" or
"Okovanggo") in Botswana is a swampy inland delta formed where the Okavango River reaches a
tectonic trough in the central part of the endorheic basin of the Kalahari. All the water reaching
the delta is ultimately evaporated and transpired and does not flow into any sea or ocean. Each
year, about 11 cubic kilometres (2.6 cu mi) of water spread over the 6,000–15,000 km2 (2,300–
5,800 sq mi) area. Some flood waters drain into Lake Ngami. The area was once part of Lake
Makgadikgadi, an ancient lake that had mostly dried up by the early Holocene.

Every year, about 11 km3 (11,000 billion l; 2.6 cu mi; 2,900 billion US gal) of water flow into the
delta. Roughly 60% is consumed through transpiration by plants, 36% by evaporation, 2%
percolates into the aquifer system; and 2% flows into Lake Ngami. This turgid outflow means that
the delta is unable to flush out the minerals carried by the river and is liable to become increasingly
salty and uninhabitable. Water salinity is reduced by salt collecting around plant roots as most of
the incoming water is transpired by plants. Peat fires might contribute to deposit salt into layers
below the surface. The low salinity of the water also means that the floods do not greatly enrich
the floodplain with nutrients.

Civil Aviation and Airports: Botswana has 971 kilometers of railroad laid out and 92 airports,
of which 12 airports have paved runways. Together, they comprise about 7 percent of passenger
transportation. The national airlines is Air Botswana, which flies domestically and to other
countries in Africa.

In 2018, aircraft movements went up from 69,716 movements in 2017 to 81,693 movements, a
17.2 percent increase. International movements increased by 1.3 percent while domestic
movements increased by 22.9 percent. Most types of movements increased except international
 Country Profile: Botswana

private movements which declined by 7.6 percent. From 2008 to date aircraft movements have
been increasing in one year only to decline in the next year. Aircraft movements declined in 2014
and 2015, only to increase in 2016, then the movements went down again in 2017, only to increase
in 2018.

Two out of six airports experienced a decline in aircraft movements in 2018, namely Gantsi (71.3
percent) and Selebi Phikwe (2.2 percent). The other four airports registered an increase in aircraft
movements with the highest increase in Maun (29.4 percent). The other airport that had a
substantial increase in aircraft movements was Francistown with 14.6 percent. Maun accounted
for 60.8 percent of total aircraft movements registered in 2018. This is justifiable as Maun is a
tourist destination, and as such receives most of non-scheduled aircrafts. Sir Seretse Khama
International Airport (SSKIA) accounted for 19.8 percent of total aircraft movements. The airport
that had the least number of movements was Gantsi with 0.05 percent of total aircraft movements.

Pipelines: Orange-Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM) is the institution responsible for

managing the resources of the Orange-Senqu River Basin, a transboundary resource shared by
Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and South Africa. Botswana import water from Lesotho through the
600-km pipeline that will run from Lesotho across South Africa to its capital Gaborone. Lesotho
has a water surplus as the mountains there could easily trap water from the Senqu River, Vaal
River and Orange River, among other water streams. During 2019, a proposed dam construction
sites have been identified by consultants along the Makhaleng River, and a prefeasibility study is
being conducted to find possible sites for water dams to be built. The size and cost of the dams
will be determined by the feasibility study, which is funded to the tune of 2.3 million U.S. dollars
by the African Development Bank. Water supply in Gaborone has been sustained by imported
water from North West Province of South Africa after Botswana was hit by successive drought
periods. Ministers responsible for water from the respective countries signed a Memorandum of
Agreement recently, aiming to provide policy and political guidance for the project, and review
progress on the implementation of the 10-year integrated water resource management plan adopted
in 2015.

Telecommunications: Telecommunication infrastructure in Botswana is also vastly developed

thanks to its location. Botswana is located directly north of South Africa, which has allowed the
country to follow and access South Africa’s telecommunication infrastructure. Botswana has one
of the highest rates of cell phone use on the continent and landline services are provided by the
Botswana Telecommunications Corporation. Although slow Internet speeds still remains a
problem, Internet usage is increasing, with an estimated 15 percent of the population having access
to the Internet, according to the Global Information Technology Report.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Government Overview: Botswana is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. It adopted

its name after attaining her independence within the Commonwealth on September 30, 1966. Since
then, Botswana has maintained a strong representative democracy with consistency in a democratic
election. The constitution of Botswana is the basis for rule of law and protects the rights of all
citizens. The politics of Botswana takes place in the context of a representative democratic republic
with the president as the head of both state and government. The country is also a multi-party state
 Country Profile: Botswana

with the Botswana Democratic Party dominating party system since independence. The
government of Botswana has three main branches; executive, legislative, and judiciary.

Constitution: Botswana's constitution provides for the protection of fundamental rights and
individual freedom. These include freedom of speech, association and the press, an independent
judiciary and equal rights for all citizens. In the nearly 50 years since independence, amendments
to the constitution have incorporated changes to ensure minority groups have equal status,
promoting a spirit of unity in diversity.

Under the 1966 constitution (since amended), Botswana is a multiparty republic. The president,
who serves as the head of state and government, is indirectly elected to a five-year term and limited
to 10 years in office. The National Assembly is composed of elected members (elected by universal
adult suffrage) and a handful of ex officio members and appointed members nominated by the
ruling political party; all members serve five-year terms. The Ntlo ya Dikgosi (House of Chiefs)
serves in an advisory role on matters of legislation pertaining to tribal law and custom. It is
composed of permanent members (representing each of the eight Tswana “tribes”) and members
who are selected to serve a five-year term. Botswana’s judicial system consists of a High Court, a
Court of Appeals, and several Magistrate Courts.

Executive Branch: The executive branch of the government of Botswana consists of the cabinet
headed by the president who is elected by the National Assembly to a maximum two five-year
terms. The cabinet is responsible for initiating and implementing national policies and the control
of government departments and ministries through ministers and civil servants. The president is
the commander in chief of the Botswana forces. The powers make several appointments including
the cabinet ministers, parastatal heads, ambassadors, judges (upon the advice of the JSC), and other
government officials. The president also signs bills into law and can declare war with an external
enemy. He or she is in charge of international relations and represents Botswana in international
forums.

Legislative Branch: The legislature comprises of the president and the National Assembly. The
National Assembly is made up of 57 elected members and four appointed members. It is expanded
every census year which takes place after every ten years. The National Assembly election
coincides with the presidential election which takes place every five years. After every election,
the party with the majority of seats in parliament elects the president. The elected president then
appoints the vice-president who must also be endorsed by the National Assembly. The House of
Chiefs which represents the eight subgroups of Botswana people plays an advisory role by
proposing and passing bills concerning tribal matters. The National Assembly is mainly concerned
with policy-making.

The Judiciary: The Court of Appeal is the highest court in Botswana. It is constituted under
section 99 of the country’s constitution. Currently, there are eight Court of Appeal judges who are
drawn from different parts of Commonwealth. The High Court is composed of the Chief Justice
and several judges as proposed by the parliament. Currently, there are 16 permanent High Court
judges. The judges are appointed by the president with the advice from the Judiciary Service
Commission. The Magistrate courts are subordinate to the High Court and hear a wide range of
criminal and civil cases. Botswana has 19 Magistrate Courts and 50 magistrates of which 17 are
 Country Profile: Botswana

expatriates. Although the president appoints the judges, he can only remove them for cause and
after a hearing.

Administrative Division: Botswana is divided into 15 administrative districts: 9 rural districts and
6 urban districts. These are administered by 15 local authorities (district councils, city councils or
town councils). Until 2006, Chobe and Ngamiland Districts shared the same local authority, the
North-West District Council.

Botswana is divided into nine districts: Central District, North-West District, Ghanzi District,
Kgalagadi District, Kgatleng District, Kweneng District, North-East District,South-East District,
Southern District

Botswana is further divided into 15 councils which includes the 9 districts councils from the 9
districts plus some councils from urban or town councils being: Gaborone City; Francistown City
of, Lobatse Town, Selebi-Phikwe Town, Jwaneng Town, Sowa Township.

Provincial and Local Government: Local councils, rural and urban, have been elected since 1969
simultaneously with national parliamentary elections. The power of local councils is limited by
the right of the central government to nominate ex officio voting members and by central
government appointment of supervisory district commissioners and planning staff.

Local government is administered by nine district councils and five town councils. District
commissioners have executive authority and are appointed by the central government and assisted
by elected and nominated district councilors and district development committees. There has been
ongoing debate about the political, social, and economic marginalization of the San (Bushmen).
The government's policies for remote area dwellers continue to spark controversy and may be
revised in response to domestic and donor concerns.

Judicial and Legal System: Since independence, the dual system of courts that came with the
integration of customary courts within the hierarchy of modern courts introduced in 1934 has been
retained. Whilst the customary courts retain their jurisdiction over customary law matters and the
modern courts apply the common law, the former, as in the colonial days are subordinate to the
latter. Although customary courts have their own hierarchy, they all rank as the lowest courts in
the general hierarchy of courts and their jurisdiction is almost limited only to certain civil matters.
Customary Courts play a very important part in the Botswana legal system and they probably deal
with as many as 80% of criminal matters brought before the courts.

The expression “common law” in the context of Botswana has at least three possible meanings.
First, in a strictly literal sense, it could be used to refer to the national law applicable to all
inhabitants of Botswana, irrespective of their origin or creed. In this very broad sense, it refers to
the Botswana legal system as a whole. In a second sense, which the expression is used to refer to
those systems of law that are derived from or have been substantially influenced by the English
common law such as those in the United States, Canada, Australia, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and
Zambia. In a third sense, and for the purposes of this section, the expression is used to refer to that
part of Botswana law that is unwritten and has not been enacted by Parliament or any authority to
 Country Profile: Botswana

which power has been delegated to make laws, such as local authorities and ministers, but excludes
customary law.

The common law of Botswana therefore refers to the Roman-Dutch Law. As the historical
overview discussed above shows, what Botswana received during the colonial period under the
1891 Proclamation was neither pure Roman-Dutch Law nor pure English Law but a mixture of
both laws as developed further in South African courts. In fact, by the time the Roman-Dutch Law
that was applied in South Africa was extended to Botswana, it had been deeply penetrated by
English Law. Therefore, although it is technically correct to say that the common law of Botswana
is the Roman-Dutch Law, this is only true to the extent that this is understood as being the Roman-
Dutch Law as influenced by English Law and the interpretations of this in South African courts.
Whilst it can be said that the substratum of the Botswana legal system is therefore civilian, the
radical legal reforms which have taken place since independence that have been influenced or
based essentially on English legal principles does strongly suggest that the latter is becoming
increasingly predominant.

Besides Roman-Dutch Law and English Law, the common law of Botswana also includes judicial
decisions or judicial precedents and is based on the English Law doctrine of stare decisis.
Although judicial precedents on account of their unwritten nature are considered as a third form
of the common law, it is usually classified as an independent source of law not only because of its
importance but also because of the fact that it is sometimes based on the interpretation of other
sources of law, especially statutory law.

Politics/Political Parties: Since independence Botswana has held free elections every five years
and maintained a relatively uncorrupt bureaucracy and judicial respect for human rights and the
rule of law. The government has also distributed increasing resources widely if not always equally
among the people.

The ruling party, first elected in 1965 and reelected at five-year intervals since then, is the
Botswana Democratic Party. Its overwhelming majorities in elections have been based on rural
support; opposition parties have drawn their strength generally from urban areas. The Botswana
People’s Party was the main opposition in the 1960s, when urban areas were small. The Botswana
National Front later became the main opposition, growing in strength especially on urban councils
from the 1970s until 1998, when some members left to form the Botswana Congress Party; since
then both parties have served as the primary opposition to the ruling party.

Mass media: Unlike preceding elections, media coverage of electoral campaigns in 2004 was
more accommodating of opposition parties. The public media in Botswana is controlled by the
government, which determines the type and amount of information the media can disseminate to
the public countrywide. The minister of Information and Technology has the overall say
concerning the operations of both the public and the private media. In the pre-2004 elections, the
public media, including radio stations, television and the Daily News newspaper, was accused of
bias towards the BDP and neglect of opposition parties (Sebudubudu & Osei-Hwedie 2005).
During between-election periods, the public media is allowed to cover only the President of the
Republic, who was also the presidential candidate for the BDP. This is to the advantage of the
 Country Profile: Botswana

ruling party and, as a result, opposition parties have objected to the limited public media coverage
they receive.

The private media mainly covers opposition campaigns and have been instrumental in exposing
scandals committed by BDP officials. As a result, there have been times when the government,
using threats (such as not advertising in these newspapers), has forced private media to withdraw
such coverage from newspapers, or more generally, to exercise self-censorship. On occasion the
government has also threatened to sue the private press. Threats are not attributed to the ruling
party only. There have been protestations from opposition parties calling for the private media to
censor their editors and reporters who, they alleged, have commercial links to the ruling party and
who are biased against opposition parties in their media coverage. Narrow circulation practices
and the use of the English language generally limit the role of the private press as appropriate
sources for opposition parties to transmit their ideas to voters (Sebudubudu & Osei-Hwedie 2005).
There has been a slight increase of opportunity for inter-party contestation in that the government,
after considerable opposition party criticism and pressure, allowed the public media to cover both
the ruling and opposition parties. For example, in 2004 radio discussions took place with
candidates of all political parties addressing their respective constituents. Botswana Television
news also broadcast rallies of both the ruling and opposition parties, as well as debates and
presentations of views by representatives of most political parties. The Daily News covered
opposition parties' activities. Despite these concessions, the BDP remains the party most covered
and male candidates are the most publicised. The head of MISA-Botswana admitted on national
television that his organisation had not yet covered women candidates; instead the focus had been
on male candidates across all political parties (Sebudubudu & Osei-Hwedie 2005).

In March of 2019, Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA), under the

Communications Regulatory Act of 2012 (No. 19 of 2012) issued out a draft Code of Conduct for
Broadcasting during the elections. In July of that year, the draft Code of Conduct was made final.
The purpose of the Code of Conduct is to assist the Authority in carrying out its duty of monitoring
and supervising political broadcasting during the election period.

The spirit of the code of conduct is to ensure that accurate, fair and balanced political coverage is
given at all times by the broadcasters. Furthermore, the Code of Conduct ensures that broadcasters
provide adequate information to the general public on election related news. Hence, the Code of
Conduct states that all political party broadcasts be "lawful, honest, decent and be in conformity
with the principles of fair competition in business".

Foreign Relations: Botswana's foreign policy has historically put a premium on economic and
political integration in southern Africa. This has led to the development of the 12-nation Southern
African Development Community (SADC), to which Gaborone is host. The SADC has been the
primary vehicle for diplomacy in the region, as well as an instrument of regional development.
Post-apartheid South Africa has been welcomed as a partner in these regional initiatives.
The Southern African Customs Union (SACU), which includes Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho,
Swaziland, and South Africa, dates to 1910. The SACU has provided duty-free access for
Botswana's exports to the larger market in South Africa. However, South Africa's dominant role
in the union became increasingly troublesome to other members. Barriers to the import of non-
 Country Profile: Botswana

South African capital and consumer goods have caused a good deal of controversy. In 1995, an
effort was made to renegotiate the terms of the SACU agreement.
Botswana maintains friendly diplomatic relations with most African nations, as well as with many
European and Arab nations. The country is a member of the UN, where it established a reputation
for consensual, constructive participation during its term on the Security Council. Botswana tends
to exhibit solidarity with the African consensus on most international matters and was a member
of the so-called "front-line states" that gave crucial support to the independence movements in
Zimbabwe and Namibia, as well as in the opposition to apartheid in South Africa. In early 2002,
Botswanan disaster relief agencies assembled tents and other supplies in anticipation of an influx
of refugees from neighboring Zimbabwe after the controversial reelection there of Robert Mugabe.
International observers described the elections as not "free and fair," and it seemed likely that
citizens would flee the country and his repressive policies.
United States-Botswana relations have been warm since independence, with the United States
viewing Botswana as a force for stability in Africa. The United States has had a significant
presence in the country, providing development aid since the 1960s. In December 1997, after 30
years, the U.S. Peace Corps ended its mission in Botswana, leaving behind a legacy of assistance
in education, business, health, agriculture, and the environment. The United States Agency for
International Development (USAID) also closed out its programs in 1996, although as of 2000
Botswana continues to benefit from USAID's initiative for southern Africa as a whole.
Nonetheless, several organizations, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, The Center
for Disease Control and Prevention, Merck Pharmaceutical Co., and Harvard University maintain
presences in Botswana to combat the AIDS epidemic. While the government continues to seek
financial investment for economic development, Botswana's most urgent need is for medical aid
to stem the tide of the AIDS epidemic. Botswana is the only nation in Africa that has pledged to
provide AIDS drugs to all citizens who need them; the country is among those likely to benefit
from the pledge U.S. president George W. Bush made during his 2003 State of the Union address
to provide aid to African nations struggling to cope with the AIDS epidemic.
Membership in International Organizations: The Republic of Botswana is a member of the
following international organizations: African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States (ACP),
African Development Bank Group (AfDB), African Union (AU), Commonwealth of Nations,
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Group of 77 (G77), International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA), International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International
Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal
Police Organization (Interpol), International Development Association (IDA), International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS), International, Finance Corporation
(IFC), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Labour
Organization (ILO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Olympic Committee
(IOC), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Red Cross and Red
Crescent Movement (ICRM), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), International
Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO), International Trade Union Confederation
(ITUC), Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA),
Nonaligned Movement (NAM), Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW),
Southern African Customs Union (SACU), Southern African Development Community (SADC),
United Nations (UN), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United
 Country Profile: Botswana

Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Industrial
Development Organization (UNIDO), United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS), Universal
Postal Union (UPU), World Customs Organization (WCO), World Federation of Trade Unions
(WFTU), World Health Organization (WHO), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO),
World Meteorological Organization (WMO), World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), World
Trade Organization (WTO).

Major International Treaties: Botswana is a party to the following international treaties which
extend universal jurisdiction to those countries that have also signed these conventions: The
Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949 on International Humanitarian Law; Convention Against
Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treaunent or Punishment; Adopted by the General
Assembly of the United Nations (10 December 1984); Rome Statute of the International Criminal
Court; Adopted by the United Nations Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the
Establishment of an International Criminal Court (17 July 1998); GAD Convention on the
Prevention and Combating of Terrorism; Adopted at Algiers by the 35th Ordinary Session of the
Assembly of Heads of State and Government (July 1999); International Convention for the
Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism; Adopted by the General Assembly of the United
Nations (9 December 1999); International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings;
Adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations (15 December 1997); and United Nations
Convention on the law of the Sea.