Boko charts bold course for Botswana’s economic future

President Advocate Duma Boko this week declared that Botswana has reached a decisive crossroads in its journey towards economic transformation.

When addressing cabinet ministers, senior officials, and representatives from PEMANDU Associates at the Strategic Cabinet Workshop for the Development of the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP), Boko called for a radical shift in the nation’s economic approach and outlined an ambitious vision aimed at ensuring “inclusive growth and sustainable prosperity” for all Batswana.

“Today marks a significant milestone, as this is not merely a meeting, but a moment to define the next chapter of Botswana’s transformation journey,” Boko said, calling on leaders to serve the nation “with a clear vision, urgency, agility, humility, and an unequivocal commitment to the promotion of unity among our people.”

He said there is need for urgent shift from diamond dependency, highlighting the dangers of over-reliance on the diamond sector.

“For too long, Botswana’s economy has leaned and relied heavily on diamonds. While this has brought us far, the limitations of this reliance are increasingly becoming unbearable, as evidenced by rising unemployment, especially among the young population,” he said.

He warned that inaction risked not only deepening economic troubles, but also creating a “social time bomb.” The need for a paradigm shift, he said, is not optional, but inevitable and urgent.

Boko reiterated that, “creativity, innovation, adaptability, and, most importantly, collaboration” are equally ideal in confronting Botswana’s challenges.

“We must break down fragmentation across government, and embrace a culture of synergy for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness. Our strength lies in working together, guided by a unified vision,” he said.

He urged cabinet to identify key sectors poised for transformation beyond mining, including agriculture, financial services, manufacturing, tourism, and the digital economy.

“These are the sectors that will carry the weight of our transformation, drive inclusive growth, attract investment, create sustainable quality jobs, and position Botswana as a hub of economic dynamism in the region and beyond,” Boko declared.

He announced a dramatic shift away from traditional, “process-heavy” planning towards a results-driven approach, ably supported by PEMANDU Associates renowned internationally for their Big Fast Results methodology.

“Gone are the days of abstract strategies and noble intentions buried in volumes of reports. We are replacing traditional, process-heavy planning with a bold, implementation-based model, one that

begins with action, assigns responsibility, and ends with results,” Boko continued.

Ministries and public agencies, will now operate under “specific, time-bound, and measurable targets,” with clear lines of accountability built in.

“The ETP will be action-oriented, with specific and measurable targets, and transparent progress tracking mechanisms. This will ensure that the ETP is not just a document of intent, but a tool for delivery and impact,” he explained.

Boko also mentioned that drawing inspiration from successes abroad is important citing international examples including; Malaysia, Rwanda, and Poland, and therefore urged Botswana to adopt proven models to local conditions.

“Malaysia’s Economic Transformation Programme eliminated poverty for millions and catalysed broad-based economic growth. Rwanda’s bold investment agenda has positioned it as one of Africa’s most dynamic economies.

Poland’s strategic shift propelled it to high-income status in 2023. These are not distant dreams. These are models we can learn from and adapt,” he said.

Boko highlighted the robust citizen participation through the “Call for Ideas” initiative, which generated hundreds of proposals from Batswana and partners alike, and underlined the integration of BETP outputs into the National Development Plan.

“The key now is to translate this energy into action and deliverables. Not every plan must be perfect, but it must be practical. Strategic vision must meet ground-level delivery,” Boko stated.

He also mentioned the beginning of a new delivery culture, one grounded on clarity of purpose, courage in decision-making, and collaboration across all levels. 'Our youth, our entrepreneurs, our future generations are looking up to us. We owe it to them to rise to the occasion. Let us step forward with conviction and make this moment count”.