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Botswana

Duma Boko moves closer to Paris

Botswana's head of state is expected to travel to Lyon on 7 April to participate in the One Health Summit. It will be Duma Boko's first visit to France since he was elected in 2024.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 04.03.2026

Business France organises a defence and cybersecurity forum in Gaborone

After showcasing French military industry companies in Pretoria in 2025, Business France is continuing its efforts with a second event in March, geared towards southern Africa.

Subscribers only Defence 09.02.2026

Gaborone enlists the services of a new US-based lobbyist

Botswana has just signed a contract with a North Carolina-based consultant to provide "strategic consulting services to align US economic interests with development projects" in the southern African country.

Subscribers only Business 02.02.2026

US House of Representatives faces burning issue of AGOA renewal

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson in Washington on 12 November 2025. © Heather Diehl/Getty/AFP

Subscribers only Diplomacy 12.01.2026

Donald Trump speaking in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, US on 10 December 2025. © Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP

Spotlight
US and African lobbies mobilise as AGOA renewal enters high-stakes phase

The expiry of America's flagship trade initiative with Africa has triggered a lobbying offensive by US apparel groups and African governments. Madagascar is leading the charge, while delegations from Kenya, Lesotho and Tanzania will press Congress for a three-year extension.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 11.12.2025

Botswana's President Duma Boko visiting the US State Department in Washington, 7 March 2025. © Celal Gunes/Anadolu/Anadolu via AFP

Botswana's head of state commandeers De Beers acquisition project

Botswana's president has sidelined his mines minister, Bogolo Kenewendo, to himself conduct negotiations with Angola and Oman aimed at creating a consortium to buy Anglo American's 85% stake in the diamond giant.

Subscribers only Mining 10.12.2025

SADC convenes urgent meeting to discuss situation in Madagascar

The heads of state of member countries will meet virtually on 7 November and are expected to appoint an acting chairperson to replace Andry Rajoelina.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 05.11.2025

Gold mine at heart of political-legal battle

Two consortiums are competing to acquire the Mupane gold mine, which has been shut down since March 2024. While the outcome of the auction is being challenged in court by Turkey's Ulsan, its competitor accuses it of collusion with Duma Boko's government.

Subscribers only Mining 17.09.2025

Gaborone struggles to soothe coal sector crisis

The state, whose revenues have been affected by the drop in diamond prices, has stopped supporting Minergy and Morupule, subsidiaries of the state-owned mining fund. The mines minister is struggling to reassure the unions and entrepreneurs in this key sector in the east of the country.

Subscribers only Mining 10.07.2025

Paris appoints its future head of mission in Gaborone

In August, Valérie Baraban will become France's ambassador to Botswana, replacing Olivier Brochenin.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 30.06.2025

President Boko tries to position South African magnate on key projects despite ripples of opposition

Backed by the head of state, South African businessman Zunaid Moti is looking to land a public-private partnership for the construction of schools and clinics, despite criticism from within the government.

Subscribers only Politics, Business 18.06.2025

Zunaid Moti (left) and Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa, in Kwekwe, 2018.

Businessman Bame Pule seeks government's good graces with local investments

Under the scrutiny of the new authorities for his role in the mining negotiations with HB Antwerp and De Beers, the advisor of former president Masisi has taken a majority stake in a leading hospital.

Subscribers only Mining, Business 05.06.2025

Expert duo out to conquer Portuguese-speaking military markets

At the helm of the consulting firm Iberian Falcata, Colonel José Baltazar and Antonio Bras Monteiro are stepping up international collaboration in order to fit out the armies of Portuguese-speaking Africa.

Subscribers only Defence 23.05.2025

Two of HB Antwerp's cofounders shake diamond industry with resignation

Against a backdrop of tensions among company heads, Rafael Papismedov and Shai De Toledo have stepped down from their management roles. They now have their sights on setting up a new company in the same sector in southern Africa.

Subscribers only Mining 06.05.2025

De Beers diamond deal far from sparkling, says ex-President Masisi

Former President Mokgweetsi Masisi blames his successor, Duma Boko, for accepting clauses in the diamond distribution agreement that are less favourable to the state.

Subscribers only Mining 15.04.2025

SADC's late call to unite behind Madagascar's AU Commission candidate

The Southern Africa Development Community has come out in support of the Madagascan Richard Randriamandrato for the position of chairperson.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 14.02.2025

Botswana Democratic Party takes government to task over new De Beers deal

The diamond giant, which has signed a partnership agreement with the new Botswanan government, has been accused by the former ruling party of dodging its tax obligations.

Subscribers only Mining, Politics 10.02.2025

Minister of Mineral and Energy Bogolo Kenewendo with De Beers CEO Al Cook in Cape Town, South Africa, 3 February 2025.

Spotlight
Macron sets course for Indian Ocean's southern islands

The French head of state is due to attend an Indian Ocean Commission summit in Madagascar in April, and may also visit the islands of La Réunion and Mauritius.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 28.01.2025

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Madagascan counterpart Andry Rajoelina at the 19th Summit of the Francophonie in Villers-Cotterets, France, 24 October 2024.

Spotlight
Gemfields scales back emerald and ruby ambitions in southern Africa

The world leader in coloured gemstones has scaled back operations in Zambia and Mozambique after disappointing auctions. In Madagascar, the British group is no longer welcome in the sapphire sector after it brought a corruption case against an adviser to Andry Rajoelina.

Subscribers only Mining 21.01.2025

Gemfields CEO Sean Gilbertson at the African Mining Indaba 2022 conference in Cape Town, South Africa, 11 May 2022.

Diamond trader HB Antwerp's charm offensive with President Boko

Worried about the future of their partnership with Gaborone, which was secretly negotiated with former president Mokgweetsi Masisi, the directors of HB Antwerp, who have not yet been able to meet the new head of state, are launching their media campaign in Gaborone.

Subscribers only Mining 17.01.2025

Botswanan President Duma Boko in Harare, Zimbabwe, 20 November 2024.

Spotlight
President Boko's election reshuffles cards in diamond industry

The bosses of diamond giant De Beers, which operates mines in Botswana, have had an initial meeting with the country's new leader and are delighted with the political changeover. But the state's deal with HB Antwerp, which wanted to market the country's precious stones, appears to be in jeopardy.

Subscribers only Mining 20.11.2024

Duma Boko at the Mass Media Complex in Gaborone, 1 November 2024.

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Botswana

Duma Boko moves closer to Paris

Business France organises a defence and cybersecurity forum in Gaborone

Gaborone enlists the services of a new US-based lobbyist

US House of Representatives faces burning issue of AGOA renewal

Spotlight
US and African lobbies mobilise as AGOA renewal enters high-stakes phase

Botswana's head of state commandeers De Beers acquisition project

SADC convenes urgent meeting to discuss situation in Madagascar

Gold mine at heart of political-legal battle

Gaborone struggles to soothe coal sector crisis

Paris appoints its future head of mission in Gaborone

President Boko tries to position South African magnate on key projects despite ripples of opposition

Businessman Bame Pule seeks government's good graces with local investments

Expert duo out to conquer Portuguese-speaking military markets

Two of HB Antwerp's cofounders shake diamond industry with resignation

De Beers diamond deal far from sparkling, says ex-President Masisi

SADC's late call to unite behind Madagascar's AU Commission candidate

Botswana Democratic Party takes government to task over new De Beers deal

Spotlight
Macron sets course for Indian Ocean's southern islands

Spotlight
Gemfields scales back emerald and ruby ambitions in southern Africa

Diamond trader HB Antwerp's charm offensive with President Boko

Spotlight
President Boko's election reshuffles cards in diamond industry

Mokgweetsi Masisi ignores IMF's advice and keeps splurging ahead of polls

In Focus
From Gaborone to Antwerp, is De Beers's empire on the rocks?

All lights green for De Beers diamond deal

BHP boss flies into Johannesburg to defend Anglo American takeover

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About Africa Intelligence

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Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

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Indigo Publications' websites

Faure Gnassingbe

Orano

Michaël Randrianirina

China National Petroleum Corp

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud

Botswana

Duma Boko moves closer to Paris

Business France organises a defence and cybersecurity forum in Gaborone

Gaborone enlists the services of a new US-based lobbyist

US House of Representatives faces burning issue of AGOA renewal

Spotlight US and African lobbies mobilise as AGOA renewal enters high-stakes phase

Botswana's head of state commandeers De Beers acquisition project

SADC convenes urgent meeting to discuss situation in Madagascar

Gold mine at heart of political-legal battle

Gaborone struggles to soothe coal sector crisis

Paris appoints its future head of mission in Gaborone

President Boko tries to position South African magnate on key projects despite ripples of opposition

Businessman Bame Pule seeks government's good graces with local investments

Expert duo out to conquer Portuguese-speaking military markets

Two of HB Antwerp's cofounders shake diamond industry with resignation

De Beers diamond deal far from sparkling, says ex-President Masisi

SADC's late call to unite behind Madagascar's AU Commission candidate

Botswana Democratic Party takes government to task over new De Beers deal

Spotlight Macron sets course for Indian Ocean's southern islands

Spotlight Gemfields scales back emerald and ruby ambitions in southern Africa

Diamond trader HB Antwerp's charm offensive with President Boko

Spotlight President Boko's election reshuffles cards in diamond industry

Mokgweetsi Masisi ignores IMF's advice and keeps splurging ahead of polls

In Focus From Gaborone to Antwerp, is De Beers's empire on the rocks?

All lights green for De Beers diamond deal

BHP boss flies into Johannesburg to defend Anglo American takeover

Create a notification

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Spotlight
US and African lobbies mobilise as AGOA renewal enters high-stakes phase

Spotlight
Macron sets course for Indian Ocean's southern islands

Spotlight
Gemfields scales back emerald and ruby ambitions in southern Africa

Spotlight
President Boko's election reshuffles cards in diamond industry

In Focus
From Gaborone to Antwerp, is De Beers's empire on the rocks?