Botswana has signed a landmark $12 billion investment agreement with Qatari firm Al Mansour Holdings, aiming to reduce its heavy reliance on diamonds and accelerate economic diversification.
The historic deal, formalized on August 21, 2025, in collaboration with the Botswana Development Corporation, targets key sectors including energy, agriculture, tourism, cybersecurity, and the diamond industry.
Botswana has long been recognized in Africa for its stable economic growth, which reached 2.7% in 2023, and its disciplined management of natural resources.
However, diamonds still account for around 90% of the country’s exports, leaving it vulnerable to market fluctuations.
The new partnership with Qatar, a Gulf state seeking to diversify its own economy beyond hydrocarbons, is seen as a strategic alignment of mutual interests.
“Qatar’s investment will help modernize Botswana’s infrastructure and protect our economy against external shocks,” President Duma Boko said during the signing ceremony.
“This is a long-term vision for sustainable growth and development.”
The initiative is part of Botswana’s broader Vision 2036 plan, which aims to transform the country into a high-income economy within the next decade.
The Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) will play a pivotal role in facilitating trade, implementing investor-friendly policies, and ensuring that the projects funded by Al Mansour Holdings contribute to long-term national development goals.
The Qatari investment is expected to strengthen sectors critical to Botswana’s economic resilience.
Energy projects will focus on renewable solutions, while agriculture initiatives aim to enhance food security and create new employment opportunities.
Tourism and cybersecurity developments are intended to position Botswana as a regional hub for innovation and sustainable growth.
Observers note that the deal highlights the growing trend of Gulf investors seeking strategic partnerships across Africa.
For Botswana, it represents a crucial step toward reducing dependence on a single resource and building a more diversified, resilient economy capable of withstanding global market pressures.
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