A healthy economy?
When Botswana gained independence in 1966, the country was economically underdeveloped. Ranked among the world's poorest nations, it had attracted little interest from the British administration, which had neglected this part of the continent during the eighty-five years of its protectorate. The country had neither infrastructure nor industry, and very few citizens were qualified, educated or trained for high office. From agricultural production to building materials, it was also highly dependent on South Africa for almost all its needs. However, a quarter of a century later, thanks to the discovery of diamonds on its territory, the situation changed radically: cities and industrial complexes sprang up on the eastern edge of the country, the standard of living of every citizen was suddenly raised and the economy underwent spectacular growth. If Botswana is now considered to be Africa's growth champion, this is due in no small part to its genuine political stability and solid currency, but above all to its raw resources and the sheer size of its cattle herd. With a GDP per capita of US$ 7,249.8 in 2023, it is one of the richest countries on the continent. However, although the fruits of growth are fairly well distributed and invested, the fact remains that almost 20% of the population lives below the poverty line. Among other things, the high inflation generated by economic growth makes it difficult for less privileged consumers to acquire basic necessities.
Diamonds, a fleeting financial windfall
The discovery of diamonds, which would trigger an economic boom in Botswana, occurred only a year and a half after the declaration of independence. After twelve years of searching, geologists from the South African company De Beers, the world's leading diamond miner, found the Orapa deposit in the central Kalahari, and shortly thereafter the Letlhakane deposit, 40 km southeast of Orapa. The mines came on stream successively in 1971 and 1975 and led to a sudden development of the local infrastructure. Meanwhile, in 1972, another deposit was discovered in the Naledi River valley in the southern Kalahari. Considered the largest mine to come on stream in a hundred years, Jwaneng was soon ranked, after its belated opening in 1982, as the world's premier site for the richness and quality of its gems. It led Botswana to the world's top rankings for rough diamond production by volume, with, for example, 17.35 million carats produced in 1990 and over 20 million in 2000. Operated and managed by Debswana, a company whose capital is shared between the Botswana government and De Beers, the three deposits discovered in the 1970s enabled Botswana to be ranked the world's leading diamond producer for a long time, before being dethroned by Russia in 2015. While diamonds account for about 75% of total exports and their exploitation generates nearly a third of Botswana's GDP, their reserves are not eternal and should, at the current rate of exploitation, be exhausted within 40 years. At Letlhakane, open pit operations ceased in 2017 and a tailings treatment plant replaced the mine work, extending the life of the operation to 2043. Prospecting nevertheless continues, and new kimberlite zones have been discovered near Tsalong and Kukong, as well as 150 km north of Jwaneng. The Ghaghoo mine, which began production in 2014, is capable of producing between 200,000 and 220,000 carats per year.
Cattle breeding, a sector in decline
Livestock farming has been practiced in Botswana for over two thousand years, and is traditionally an integral part of Tswana culture, with the ownership of livestock playing an essential role in society. It is first and foremost an outward sign of wealth and prestige, determining a man's status and power, then a dowry at weddings or a gift of compensation for wrongs done to others. Despite the social importance accorded to cattle, only 55% of citizens own cattle, and 5% of farmers are large landowners who own half of the national herd. At independence, meat exports were both the country's leading enterprise and its main source of foreign currency until 1977. In the 1990s, almost half of the country was still used for livestock grazing, but the country has suffered terrible droughts and lost almost half its livestock in the space of twenty years. Agriculture, which at the time accounted for over 40% of GDP, has now fallen to 2.2%, sustained for the most part by the livestock sector. The latter, which has not been spared by global warming, has fallen to third place in the country's foreign exchange earnings and accounts for less than 4% of the country's total exports. The main importers are the European Union and South Africa, to which 12,000 to 15,000 tonnes of meat are exported every year. The manager of this vast enterprise is the Botswana Meat Commission, a giant state-owned company created in 1965 with the Lobatse abattoir. Following a parliamentary inquiry in 2012, it would appear that this organization is suffering from significant management problems, leading some to question the relevance of such a monopoly.
The place of tourism
With almost half of its territory left in its natural state, of which around 20% is protected in reserves and national parks, the country has absolutely exceptional tourist potential. Although the distribution of animals is not the same everywhere, certain regions such as the Okavango Delta, the banks of the Chobe River and the Tuli Block are exceptionally rich in wildlife, making Botswana a great safari destination. With the environment in mind, the country has focused its tourism on luxury, avoiding mass tourism which would have a disastrous impact on its natural lands. In the Okavango and Chobe, for example, parks and reserves have been divided into concessions, which are leased to tourism or community players for periods of ten to twenty years, enabling the government to retain control over the land. The charming structures installed have a very limited number of beds and offer intimate and privileged stays, but often at expensive prices. Environmental standards are increasingly stringent, and the government plans to make it compulsory for all structures to be solar-powered. There are also community concessions, with less luxurious accommodation, operated by the communities themselves, generating a shared income. Now the country's second-largest source of foreign currency, tourism plays an important role in the Botswana economy, generating almost 10% of jobs. However, while tourism is a significant source of employment, according to Botswana Tourism Board statistics, only 10% of revenue from this sector leaves the country. Supply chains are largely managed by foreign companies, while the vast majority of tourism bookings are made in South Africa. However, foreign investment in tourism companies is regulated and, for similarly qualified individuals, national priority applies to guides and employees of tourism facilities. The government makes it difficult for foreigners to obtain work permits, and they must demonstrate that the work cannot be carried out by a local.
Current issues
Between its dependence on imports from South Africa, its economic diversification and the fight against AIDS, Botswana is not without challenges for its future. Botswana's energy and agricultural dependence on its large southern neighbor has been a constant in the country's history over the last few centuries. Botswana's soil is poor for agriculture, and water is in short supply everywhere. Only around 1% of the land is cultivated, and only 5% is considered arable. Yet the current government is seeking to boost the country's food security. With only 2.6 million inhabitants, the situation could be improved. Emphasis is therefore being placed on the northeast region to produce more of the sorghum, corn, millet, wheat, beans, bananas and citrus fruit that the country needs. In terms of energy, Botswana also relies on its neighbors for almost half of its needs. Faced with falling imports and insufficient production, the country has experienced numerous power cuts in recent years, but the government sees this as an opportunity to develop renewable energies. Several projects are currently under consideration, including the construction of a solar power plant. In the meantime, solar panels are springing up all over the country, on the roofs of homes and businesses. With the end of subsoil resources in sight, the government is faced with a situation unprecedented since independence. The economy needs to be diversified as quickly as possible, services need to be developed, food security needs to be ensured and a replacement for foreign currency needs to be found. Despite increased investment in the public sector, particularly in educational infrastructure, the workforce remains under-qualified and unemployment high. With no other option, the country is turning to skilled foreign labor.
