Middle East / Africa
Country profile: Botswana
| Location: | Southern Africa, north of South Africa |
| Climate: | semiarid; warm winters and hot summers |
| Terrain: | predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest |
| Size: | 600370 sq. km total (Land area: 585370 sq. km Water area: 15000 sq.km) |
| Population: | 1,842,323 |
| Languages: | Setswana 78.2%, Kalanga 7.9%, Sekgalagadi 2.8%, English 2.1% (official), other 8.6%, unspecified 0.4% (2001 census) |
| Government: | parliamentary republic |
| Capital city: | Gaborone |
| Legal system: | based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations |
| Currency: | pula (BWP) |
| Licensing: |
Country profile
Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. Four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most dynamic economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves.
Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.
Botswana is not an oil producer but is the world’s largest producer of gem quality diamonds.
The Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC), which evolved into the Southern African Development Community (SADC), has been in existence since 1980. The original nine member-countries were Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. South Africa joined SADC in 1994 followed by Mauritius (1995), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC, 1997). In 2005, SADC granted Madagascar membership. In addition to belonging to SADC, Angola, DRC, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe are members of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
In order to facilitate development in the region, member-states in SADC formulated various objectives, which the community works to achieve. Among those objectives are the promotion of regional economic integration, creation of intra-governmental policies, and sustainable utilization of natural resources. In addition to the broader objectives of SADC, the region’s Trade Protocol calls for member-states to further liberalize intra-regional trade, while eliminating trade barriers in order to establish a Free Trade Area (FTA) by 2008. The creation of the FTA is part of a strategic plan announced by the SADC executive secretary in 2004, which also includes the establishment of an SADC customs union by 2010, a common market pact by 2012, and establishment of an SADC central bank and preparation for a single SADC currency by 2016.
Energy production and consumption
| Oil | Gas | |
| Production: | ||
| Consumption: | 12,000 bbl/day (2005 est.) | |
| Exports: | ||
| Imports: | 13,490 bbl/day | |
| Reserves: | ||
| Major fields: |
Botswana - recent news
| 12 Mar 25 |
Botswana: Scatec starts commercial operation of solar power plant in Botswana Scatec, a leading renewable energy provider, has started commercial operation of the first 60 MW of the 120 MW Mmadinare Solar Cluster in Botswana. The power plant is Scatec’s first in Botswana and will generate predictable revenues from a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Botswana Power Corporation, the national utility. |
| 19 Dec 24 |
Botswana: Scatec reaches financial close for solar complex in Botswana and prepares for construction start Scatec, a leading renewable energy provider, has reached financial close for the second 60 megawatt (MW) of the 120 MW Mmadinare Solar Complex in Botswana and is preparing for construction start. |
| 22 Nov 24 |
Botswana: Tlou Energy provides Lesedi project update Tlou Energy, developing energy solutions in Sub-Saharan Africa through gas-fired power and ancillary projects, has provided an update on the Lesedi project. |
| 26 Sep 24 |
Botswana: Tlou Energy announces final results for the year ended 30 June 2024 Tlou Energy, developing energy solutions in Sub-Saharan Africa through gas-fired power and ancillary projects, has announced its 2024 results. The past year has been highly productive, with a focus on development of the upstream process including substations, transmission line and generation, bringing the Company closer to its target of grid connection. |
| 08 Mar 24 |
Botswana: Tlou Energy announces interim results Tlou Energy has announced its interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2023. The Company has made excellent progress over recent months and remains on track to get gas fired power into the grid in Botswana later this year. |
Botswana - more news
Other countries in this region
- Algeria,
- Angola,
- Bahrain,
- Benin,
- Burundi,
- Cameroon,
- Central Africa Republic,
- Chad,
- Comoros,
- Congo (Brazzaville),
- Congo (Democratic Rep.),
- Cote d'Ivoire,
- Djibouti,
- Egypt,
- Equatorial Guinea,
- Eritrea,
- Ethiopia,
- Gabon,
- Gambia,
- Ghana,
- Guinea (Republic),
- Guinea Bissau,
- Iran,
- Iraq,
- Israel,
- Jordan,
- Kenya,
- Kuwait,
- Lebanon,
- Liberia,
- Libya,
- Madagascar,
- Malawi,
- Mali,
- Mauritania,
- Mauritius,
- Morocco,
- Mozambique,
- Namibia,
- Niger,
- Nigeria,
- Oman,
- Palestine,
- Qatar,
- Rwanda,
- Sao Tome,
- Saudi Arabia,
- Senegal,
- Seychelles,
- Sierra Leone,
- Somalia,
- Somaliland,
- South Africa,
- South Sudan,
- Sudan,
- Syria,
- Tanzania,
- Togo,
- Tunisia,
- Uganda,
- United Arab Emirates,
- Western Sahara,
- Yemen,
- Zambia,
- Zanzibar,
- Zimbabwe
