11 Nov 2025

Botswana stands at the threshold of a bold transformation, reforming governance, modernising infrastructure, revitalising education and diversifying its economy with purpose and precision.

In his State-of-the-Nation Address, President Advocate Duma Boko said from forensic audits and judicial reforms to STEAM-driven learning and inclusive development, each initiative reflected a nation determined to uplift its people and secure its future.

He said strategic investments in energy, transport, tourism and financial innovation were unlocking new frontiers of opportunity while strengthened defence, diplomacy and social protection ensured peace and dignity for all.

“A promise that every road built, every school opened, every law reformed and every child empowered is a step toward a Botswana where integrity is our foundation, innovation is our compass and prosperity is shared. Ours is a steady path taken one step at a time,” said President Boko.He said unity, Botho and the spirit of community and shared destiny, remained the country’s greatest national resource, more valuable than any mineral wealth and more enduring than any commodity price cycle.

“We spent the last 12 months fully diagnosing the problems that have held us back; corruption, inefficiency, economic stagnation and the erosion of public confidence. We now know where the weaknesses lie, and we have built the tools to address them,” said President Boko.

He indicated that the next 12 months would be about delivering more results and progress would be measured not by intentions but by outcomes, by homes built, the jobs created, the youth employed, the farms revived and the systems reformed.

President Boko thus encouraged the nation to stay united and continue to build together, the Botswana not only wanted but rather the one that the nation was capable of building.

 “As I said in my inauguration address, I believe in Botswana, I believe in you Batswana and I know that together, you and I with this government, will deliver a country like no other on the African continent,” he said.

 With regard to International Relations, President Boko said Botswana continued to support conflict prevention and resolution, peacekeeping and peace building efforts.

He said the country was also playing an instrumental role in ensuring effective implementation of the reinvigorated United Nations Peace and Security Architecture, African Union Peace and Security Architecture and the African Governance Architecture, including the African Union Master Roadmap to Silencing the Guns by 2030.

“In my inaugural speech at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, I reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the government of Botswana to the three pillars of the United Nations, namely; development, peace and security, and human rights. Furthermore, I held a bilateral meeting with the United, Nations secretary general, Antonio Guterres” he said.

In advancing the peace and security agenda, President Boko said Botswana had presented its candidature to the non-permanent seat of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2030-2031, further stating that as a member of the African Union Peace and Security Council for the term 2024-2025, Botswana consistently championed matters relating to constitutionalism, democracy, good governance respect for the rule of law and human rights.

President Boko said, since his last address to Parliament, Botswana had established diplomatic relations with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Oman and had further announced plans to expand its diplomatic missions to other jurisdictions.

“We showcase ourselves to the international community as a model of democracy, political stability, peace and security, and would like other countries to emulate some of our values, such as tolerance of divergent views and religions,” said President Boko. ENDS