15 Oct 2026

The elevation of Botswana-China relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership will now make it seamless for businesses to operate, says President Advocate Duma Boko.

“Normally, it is businesses that take the lead, but in this particular instance, the government of the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Botswana have now elevated their relationship to the highest level possible,” President Boko said during a fireside chat at the Botswana-China Business Forum in China yesterday.

He added that meant that businesses would now be facilitated seamlessly to participate, to do business in Botswana and through Botswana to the rest of Africa.

Responding to concerns about security and stability often associated with Africa, President Boko assured Chinese investors that Botswana was the safest entry point to Africa, citing its record of political stability and highest credit rating on the continent.

He cited Botswana’s recent peaceful change of government after almost 60 years of rule by one party.

“Botswana has a record that speaks for itself, the uninterrupted, undisturbed record of political stability is there for all to see and this is evidence that Botswana is safe and therefore, Botswana is an example not just for Africa, but for the world,” he said.

Furthermore, President Boko said Botswana was positioning itself as the capital of Africa for investors, stating that Africa came to Botswana because that was where safety, predictability, stability, credibility, trust resided.

“You will do very well, while doing very good, you will do good work for people and the continent and you will do very good work for your businesses in terms of returns, he said.

Meanwhile, Ambassador of Botswana to China, Professor Lekoko Kenosi encouraged business leaders from both countries to use the forum to establish lasting commercial relationships.

He also pointed to cooperation in the diamond industry, including the Beijing Declaration on Natural Diamonds and Sustainable Development, as an example of growing engagement.

The vice president of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange, Mr Yan Jin said China’s natural-diamond market had faced a sharp adjustment since 2022, but was showing signs of recovery.

Therefore, he highlighted the potential for Botswana, a major diamond producer, to work with China as a significant consumer, manufacturing and retail market.

Mr Yan also described efforts to make natural diamonds more appealing to younger Chinese consumers by broadening their stories beyond engagement and marriage.

He said a 2024 promotional campaign reached a wide audience and that sales of natural diamond products at participating retailers rose. ENDS