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ACM Country Profile: Botswana Highlighting political, economic and business trends The bottom line: Long hailed as politically stable, economically secure and a beacon of freedom in Southern Africa, Botswana can be credited with all these qualities to a degree. However, the merits hare generally viewed relatively, in comparison to other regional nations which are in conflict or where freedoms and human rights are suppressed. Oneparty states are inherently brittle, and cracks are showing in service delivery and public acceptance of the governing dominance of Botswana’s Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). National Profile SOUTHERN AFRICA Table of Contents Gabarone has facilitated auto use to bridge the country’s large open spaces between towns. The Heritage Foundation Led by an impressive score of 89 out of a possible 100 and Wall Street Journal Index of Economic Freedom for political stability, Botswana earns an above-aver- and the Cato Institute Economic Freedom of the World age (globally) score of 69 of 100 on the World Bank’s Index both give Botswana the highest scores for ecoWorldwide Governance Indicators. The country scores nomic freedom of Sub-Saharan Africa’s contiguous high for Africa on government accountability and states. The ability of businesses to function relativeeffectiveness, and importantly for investors, regula- ly unfettered by red tape restrictions accounts for tory quality and Rule of Law. Control of corruption is the country’s high ranking on the World Economic also very good, which corresponds with Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index Transparency International’s Corruption 2014-2015, just below the island holiPerceptions Index score of 64, where 0 “An accountable day paradise Mauritius. is absolutely corrupt and 100 is comgovernment pletely uncorrupt. This represents a that allows for Business Assessment: high for Sub-Saharan Africa and ranks the transparent Although the economy is dominated Botswana at 30 of all the world’s reporting of the by the diamond production of its minnations. The Institute for Economics nation’s mineral and Peace’s Global Terrorism Index finds wealth and a robust ing sector, intelligent government and private sector management of this natthat Botswana faces zero terrorism political system ural resource has led to spin-off busithreats. An accountable government from the time of nesses such as transportation, energy that allows for the transparent reportindependence 50 ing of the nation’s mineral wealth and a years ago, have laid and retail services originally intended to serve mining but now mushrooming robust political system from the time of the groundwork for to supply other businesses. Diamond independence 50 years ago, have laid a stable economy reserves are finite, and government the groundwork for a stable economy that welcomes has targeted tourism as a future growth that welcomes foreign investors. foreign investors.” industry. Botswana is well served by a road and rail system beneficial to Economic Assessment: tourism and other industries. The banking and serEnjoying Sub-Saharan Africa’s second freest economy, vices industries are sound, the retail sector records a Botswana has a GDP per capita of US$ 16,998. Poverty steady growth in consumer goods sales, and automoexists in Botswana but income inequity is less than bile ownership has risen concomitant with the nation’s in other Southern African countries with similar rela- expanding road system. Government is responsive to tively-large GDPs per capita; meaning there is a wider business sector needs and has dedicated itself in word middle class in the country capable of supporting a con- and deed to promoting more foreign direct investsumer society and a services sector, including greater ment. Botswana is the 3rd easiest African country in automobile ownership. The country’s road infrastruc- which to do business, the World Bank reports. ture, developed for mining industry transportation, Africa Conflict Monitor | Consultancy Africa Intelligence (Pty) Ltd March 2015 Edition Political Assessment: 79