President Duma Boko has unveiled a landmark $12-billion investment agreement between Botswana and Qatar’s Al Mansour Holdings, a deal he described as a “historic move” to address the country’s immediate economic challenges.
The agreement, signed in partnership with the state-owned Botswana Development Corporation, will channel capital into critical sectors including infrastructure, energy, mining, diamond refinement, agriculture, tourism, cybersecurity and defence. Botswana, long hailed as one of Africa’s economic success stories, has recently faced headwinds.
A downturn in the global diamond market led to a 3% contraction in gross domestic product last year, with the risk of another decline this year. “This historic move will be enough to address immediate challenges facing the country,” stated Boko.
The Qatari delegation arrived in Gaborone on 20 August 2025 as part of an investment mission to explore strategic opportunities and deepen bilateral economic ties. Renowned for its diamond wealth, Botswana has been working to diversify its economy and strengthen its global competitiveness by drawing major foreign investments. The deal with Al Mansour Holdings is expected to provide a significant boost to these efforts.
