The Ministry of International Affairs has made a request to Parliament for the approval of P1.2 billion towards funding the Ministry’s projects under National Development Plan 12 (NDP 12).

Presenting the proposed projects, Minister Dr Phenyo Butale said the funds would enable the ministry to procure and maintain immovable property locally and in countries where Botswana has foreign missions.

He said the Ministry also requested resources under the plan period to purchase property and carry out renovations and maintenance at some of the missions abroad.  These initiatives, he said reflected government’s collective commitment to advancing Botswana’s diplomatic engagement, strengthening strategic alliances and deepening international priorities to achieve national economic growth, create jobs and promote the prosperity of many citizenry.

 He said Botswana currently maintained 23 Diplomatic Missions and one Consulate General in Johannesburg, thus the need to streamline the country’s diplomatic representation, not as an expense but as a strategic investment.

Dr Butale stated that the ministry also proposed purchasing properties, starting with the chancery and official residence in Abuja, Brasilia and Berlin.

This, he said would increase mission owned properties from the current complement of 16 chanceries and 48 residences to 19 chanceries and 50 residences, including residences for staff.

“To maintain the value of our assets and enhance the working conditions of those who represent us abroad, we must continuously renovate and improve our properties with care and foresight,” he said.

To that effect, Dr Butale said the Ministry had carefully chosen six new locations for diplomatic expansion.  “We propose establishing new embassies in Turkey-Ankara, Qatar-Doha, Malawi -Lilongwe, Russia-Moscow and Oman-Muscat, as well as a Consulate General in Dubai,” he said. 

Dr Butale added that each of these missions was strategically positioned to unlock new markets, strengthen bilateral ties and amplify Botswana’s voice in regions of growing geopolitical and economic significance as well as advance cultural and people-to-people connections. “By strengthening our strategic partnerships and expanding our footprint in strategic locations, we are laying the foundation for a Botswana that is not only present on the world stage but also influential, economically empowered and prosperous,” he said.

Dr Butale highlighted that it was in times of economic constraints and fiscal uncertainty, such as the current one that diplomacy becomes the most valuable currency.

He cautioned that diplomacy was not a luxury but rather a catalyst and a strategic investment in Botswana’s future. Diplomatic missions, he said were not merely offices abroad, but instead a physical embodiment of Botswana’s sovereignty, values, culture and aspirations on foreign soil thus the face of Botswana to the world. ENDS