Botswana’s envoy to China targets billion-Pula investment drive

From modest beginnings in Palapye to one of the most strategic diplomatic postings in Botswana’s foreign service, Kenosi steps into the role at a time when the country’s economic fundamentals are under pressure. Slowing growth, constrained fiscal space and persistent reliance on diamond revenues have forced a re-calibration of policy priorities. Botswana and China have maintained diplomatic relations since 1975, with cooperation spanning infrastructure, healthcare, education and trade.

Bilateral trade now exceeds $1 billion annually, but the relationship has largely been project-based, with limited transformation of Botswana’s production base. Speaker of the National Assembly, Dithapelo Keorapetse, has this week rightly washed his hands of the mess, refusing to wade into a party squabble that has no clear leadership and no single version of the truth.When a single party sends six different letters to the Speaker’s office, each claiming to be the authoritative voice, it is not just confusion, but an embarrassment.Keorapetse is correct to insist on institutional boundaries. Parliament…