10 May 2017

The Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation has dismissed as untrue an article in the Washington Times newspaper and carried by the Sunday Standard entitled “A cautionary commodities tale as Botswana’s bonanza recedes.”

A press release from the ministry says the government of Botswana has done fairly well since independence in 1966.

It says whilst Botswana was classified as one of the poorest countries at independence, the country has now assumed the status of an Upper Middle Income developing country, largely because of its sound and robust economic policies.

It points out that some of the major and reputable international ratings companies continue to describe Botswana as one of the best governed and prosperous countries in the world today, interestingly ahead of some of the more advanced countries.

Examples stated include, among others, that in its 2017 sovereign credit rating, Standards and Poor consistently awarded Botswana a credit rating of A- and A2 for the long and short terms, respectively, which is viewed as one of the best credit ratings in Africa.

It states that this was in recognition of Botswana’s prudent fiscal management, strong external balance sheet, robust institutional framework, and a long track record of political stability.

It also states that with Africa Investment Index 2016, by Quantum Global ranks Botswana as the most attractive economy for investments flowing into Africa and that of the top five African investment destinations attracting an overall FDI of US$13.6bn, Botswana is ranked at number one.

It further reveals that in 2016 Global Peace Index2016, Botswana is ranked 28 out of 163 countries (Botswana ranked 2nd out of 44 Sub-Saharan African Countries) and that global Democracy Index 2016, Botswana is ranked 27 out of 167 countries and that Botswana is ranked 3rd out of 44 Sub-Saharan African countries.

Furthermore the release reveals that in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index 2016, Botswana has been and is still rated the least corrupt country in Africa for over 20 years in a row adding that currently, she is number 35 in the world out of 175 countries.

In the Mo Ibrahim Index 2016, Botswana achieved a score of 73.7 in Overall Governance, higher than the regional average for Southern Africa, and that she is considered to be the best performing in the region, and that she ranks 2nd in Africa after Mauritius.

Over again the release further states that in the Baseline Profitability Index 2014, Botswana’s Foreign Investment Climate ranked 1st in Global Report of 112 countries.

The press release points out that in light of these reports, they therefore, find it very unfortunate that in his article, Mr. L. Todd Wood, appears to not have taken time to familiarise himself intensely and in a comprehensive manner on issues pertaining to Botswana’s positive development trajectory and policies in relation thereto. ENDS