02 Nov 2026

The traditional mindset of focusing on constituency-based development demands belongs in the past and Botswana must pivot towards exploring how goods and services can be manufactured and supplied locally to meet diverse societal needs.

President Advocate Duma Boko said this when delivering the keynote address at the opening of the Executive Leadership Retreat in Kasane on November 2.

“It is imperative to shift focus from merely allocating scarce resources to how Botswana produces goods and services to satisfy different needs asserted by different groups in society,” he said.

He warned that Botswana’s long-standing reliance on diamond wealth had bred a dangerous culture of complacency, leaving public finances and citizens’ livelihoods exposed to global market disruptions.

As of July, diamonds accounted for 60.2 per cent of Botswana’s total exports followed by copper at 23.1 per cent, while all other sectors combined constituted 16.7 per cent of export goods, an indication of an undiversified economy, President Boko said.

He said national metrics for agricultural success must shift from measuring inputs to evaluating actual productivity and harvest yields, adding that a diversified agricultural sector required a robust, performance-based approach.

Through the Temo Letlotlo programme, President Boko said Batswana had proved that a hectare produced more than five hectares did in the past, hence sustainable, high-yield agriculture required smart climate-resilient farming, technical competencies and transformational agricultural schemes.

He challenged legislators to be open when serving people and most importantly, consult early enough to shape choices and not distort other MPs’ views.

“Debates in Parliament must be based on facts and evidence that is verifiable to build credibility and you must refrain from insulting one another and advance your solid arguments,” President Boko advised.

He thanked the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for its continuous support and playing a critical role in Botswana’s success and growth.

For his part, UNDP Director, Regional Service Centre for Africa, Dr Jide Okeke, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting newly elected political leaders to achieve their ambition for sustainable development.

He said UNDP supported countries like Botswana through the Integrated National Financing Framework which was anchored on sustainable development.

Dr Okeke said Botswana should leverage digitisation by putting government services on a single online platform like Rwanda and Kenya.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse, remarked that a strong Parliament rested on capable leadership, effective systems and a professional parliamentary administration.

He said the theme: Leading with Integrity. Shaping Transformation. Serving Batswana, spoke directly to the responsibilities entrusted to them as the National Assembly.

“We cannot claim success in public office unless our work improves the lives of the people we represent,” said Mr Keorapetse. ENDS