25 Feb 2020

Botswana has signed Visa Abolition Agreements with six countries since President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi assumed office on April 1, 2018.

Responding to a parliamentary question on Monday, Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Unity Dow said of the six, only four countries abolished visa requirements for Batswana holding official and diplomatic passports, except Angola and Russia.

She said currently they were negotiating with seven countries.

Dr Dow explained that they targeted countries which were of economic value to Botswana in helping drive economic diversification and therefore had potential to offer foreign direct investment and tourism revenue.

“A country should also regard Botswana as a strategic development partner,” she said adding they also assessed security risks before entering into negotiations.

Dr Dow was responding to a question from Ghanzi North MP, Mr John Thiite who wanted to know the number of countries that Botswana had entered into Visa Abolition Agreements with since President Masisi ascended to office in 2018.

Mr Thiite also wanted to know the number of agreements under negotiation and the criteria the ministry used to identify countries to negotiate with. Ends