President Duma Boko, in his maiden State of the Nation Address (SONA), acknowledged the formidable challenges facing the 13th Parliament under the leadership of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). Chief among these challenges is the economic uncertainty caused by declining diamond revenues, a result of unfavorable global market conditions.ย
This is particularly concerning in a country where diamonds account for approximately 80 percent of Botswana’s foreign earnings. โBotswanaโs reliance on diamond revenues has been our strength, but it has also made us vulnerable. The decline in diamond revenues by over 60 percent in recent years is a clear signal that we can no longer afford to depend on a single commodity,โ Boko stated.
Economic diversification has long been a central yet elusive goal for Botswana, with previous governments making sustained efforts to broaden the countryโs export base and reduce reliance on diamonds.ย
Bokoโs administration has likewise placed economic diversification at the heart of its agenda, identifying tourism as a key sector. While Botswana is globally renowned for its diamonds and wildlife, the countryโs rich biodiversity and thriving ecosystems are equally integral to its identity and hold vast potential to drive economic growth. Tourism, as a fast-growing sector, is expected to play a pivotal role in these diversification efforts. According to forecasts by research firm BMI, tourist arrivals to Botswana are projected to grow at an average annual rate of 11.9 percent between 2024 and 2028, reaching 1.8 million by 2028. The firm also suggested that the UDCโs anticipated emphasis on tourism could positively influence these projections, with actual growth potentially exceeding expectations.
While tourism offers a promising path to economic diversification, sustainability concerns and international resistance to trophy hunting pose significant risks to its growth. BMI has highlighted that Botswana will face challenges in promoting trophy hunting as a sustainable tourist attraction due to increasing global opposition, as evidenced by recent legislative measures in European markets. Trophy hunting, which was banned under former President Ian Khama in 2014, was reinstated in 2019 by Bokoโs predecessor, President Mokgweetsi Masisi, following pressure from local communities over concerns about wildlife damage, particularly from elephants. Masisiโs government aimed to use trophy hunting licenses as a sustainable method to manage Botswanaโs large elephant population, which, at approximately 140,000, is the worldโs largest, while also boosting tourism revenue.
However, the activity remains controversial, with critics arguing that it exacerbates the decline of already-threatened wildlife populations, while supporters contend that it supports local communities, discourages poaching, and protects biodiversity when properly managed. Demand for trophy hunting in Botswana from Western markets is at risk from growing international opposition. For instance, in the UK, which accounted for 2.1 percent of Botswanaโs tourist arrivals in 2023, a bill to prohibit the import of hunting trophies is making its way through parliament. Similarly, tensions with Germany, which contributed 3.5 percent of Botswanaโs tourists in 2023, have risen due to concerns that its government may tighten import laws on hunting trophies. Belgium, a smaller market, has already banned the import of trophies from endangered species, including elephants.
The previous government engaged in international lobbying efforts to counter opposition to trophy hunting, with the then-Minister of Environment and Tourism, Dumezweni Mthimkhulu, addressing British legislators in early 2024. Mthimkhulu urged a reconsideration of the UKโs proposed Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill, emphasising the vital role trophy hunting plays in supporting rural communities near wildlife areas. These communities depend on the income generated by the activity, which they argue brings more direct benefits than foreign-controlled tourism enterprises.
President Bokoโs SONA reflected a broader shift toward prioritising sustainability and environmental protection. He emphasised that Botswanaโs natural environment is among its most valuable assets and vowed to protect its unique wildlife and ecosystems. โWe will expand efforts to protect Botswanaโs unique wildlife and ecosystems, ensuring that our natural reserves remain pristine for generations to come. Eco-tourism will play a vital role in both preserving our environment and generating sustainable income for local communities,โ Boko said.
Although the SONA did not detail specific strategies for boosting the tourism sector, Boko outlined a comprehensive framework for sustainable economic growth. Central to this vision is the establishment of a National Development Fund, which aims to finance strategic national projects and stimulate investments in high-potential sectors. This government-backed initiative seeks to reduce Botswanaโs dependence on diamond revenues and enhance economic resilience against external shocks. The government also plans to introduce economic incentive packages to attract both domestic and foreign investments in sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, tourism, and technology, reflecting a more diversified and forward-looking economic strategy.
