09 Nov 2026

Botswana is strengthening its international diplomatic relations and expanding its presence in strategic global markets as part of efforts to attract private investment, promote trade and deepen economic cooperation.

Speaking during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Gaborone yesterday, President Advocate Duma Boko said Botswana had established diplomatic relations with six countries since the last SONA.

The countries are Andorra, the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Kingdom of Bahrain, Liechtenstein, the Republic of Moldova and Turkmenistan.

President Boko said the new diplomatic relationships would broaden Botswana’s international footprint and create additional platforms for cooperation in areas of mutual strategic and economic interest.

As part of a broader economic diplomacy strategy, he said government also planned to expand Botswana’s diplomatic presence in four strategically important markets: the Russian Federation, the Republic of Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Sultanate of Oman.

Furthermore, he said Botswana was making progress in strengthening regional integration through bilateral agreements.

On regional integration, President Boko announced that Botswana and Rwanda had signed an Agreement on the Mutual Abolition of Visa Requirements, allowing citizens of both countries to travel between the two nations without visas.

“The agreement is expected to facilitate the movement of people and promote tourism, trade and investment while strengthening bilateral relations,” he said.

He said the expansion of diplomatic relations and international partnerships formed part of government’s broader commitment to positioning Botswana as an attractive investment destination.

However, he said government remained deeply concerned about the recruitment of young Batswana through deceptive online employment schemes to participate in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
President Boko said government was working closely with affected families and relevant authorities to assist in facilitating the safe return of Batswana caught up in the conflict. ENDS