23 Apr 2026

Attorney General, Dick Bayford, has called for urgent legal reforms in Botswana’s mining sector, warning that the country faces a critical moment in its economic trajectory.

Delivering the keynote address at the Botswana Mining Dialogue Contributor Roundtable in Gaborone on April 23, Mr Bayford said modernising mineral sector laws was essential to ensure long-term prosperity in a rapidly evolving global economy.

Speaking under the theme: Mining the Future: Delivering on Beneficiation, Empowerment, Infrastructure and Sustainability, he stressed that current policy discussions would determine whether the ambitions of the Mines and Minerals Amendment Act of 2024 translated into real economic gains.

He said Botswana’s mineral wealth, particularly diamonds, had historically driven development, funding infrastructure, education and healthcare, among other sectors.

However, Mr Bayford cautioned that reliance on a single resource exposed the country to risks such as fluctuating global prices and increasing competition.

“Mineral sector legal reform is not just necessary but urgent,” he said, emphasising the need for laws that are responsive, resilient and aligned with modern economic realities.

He identified transparency and accountability as key priorities, calling for stronger licensing systems and fair allocation of mineral rights to build trust among investors and citizens.

Beneficiation, or local processing of minerals, was highlighted as central to economic transformation. Mr Bayford noted that while Botswana has made progress in diamond cutting and polishing, more must be done to expand downstream industries, promote skills transfer and support local businesses.

On empowerment, he pointed to provisions in the 2024 amendment that increase citizen participation in mining ventures, including opportunities for up to 24 per cent working interest in certain projects and stronger local procurement requirements.

“The law must create not only opportunities but capabilities,” he said.

Mr Bayford also underscored the importance of infrastructure, particularly the development of strategic logistics corridors to reduce costs and improve access to export markets. He described the proposed north-south transport corridor as a major opportunity to position Botswana as a regional hub.

Sustainability, he added, is now central to global investment decisions. He highlighted stricter environmental requirements, including mandatory impact assessments and financial provisions for mine rehabilitation.

“Sustainability is no longer a peripheral concern; it is a core determinant of investment,” he said.

Mr Bayford urged diversification, innovation and alignment with global trends such as energy transition minerals, calling for bold reforms to ensure Botswana’s mineral wealth benefits future generations.

For his part, Managing Director of Jupiter Consulting and Services, Bashi Gaetsaloe, said the mining-focused workshop was aimed at breaking through obstacles and challenges in the sector.

Mr Gaetsaloe said the roundtable would continue with in-depth discussions on policy, investment and regulatory strategies shaping Botswana’s mining industry. ENDS