Botswana Seeks Chinese and Middle Eastern Investment to Drive Industrialisation

Botswana Seeks Chinese and Middle Eastern Investment to Drive IIndustrialisation. Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko is seeking investment from China and the Middle East to support the country’s industrialisation ambitions, with a financing strategy focused on foreign capital, technology partnerships and long-term concessions.

The approach is intended to attract investors without requiring sovereign guarantees, with foreign partners potentially earning returns through concessions lasting up to 30 years.

The investment drive comes as government debt rises, reaching P86.3 billion in June, compared with P71.6 billion in March 2025. The government is promoting grants, co-investment and concession agreements as alternatives to conventional borrowing to finance development projects.

Boko’s industrialisation ambitions cover several sectors, including mineral processing, electric mobility and the use of electricity to power computing infrastructure for artificial intelligence.The strategy seeks to attract partners capable of providing both funding and technology to support projects aimed at expanding Botswana’s industrial capacity.

China is emerging as an important partner in these efforts, as Botswana looks to secure investment for its development priorities. However, Boko has indicated that the country intends to maintain engagement with the United States alongside its efforts to attract Chinese and Middle Eastern investors.

The president’s approach reflects an intention to engage with competing international economic powers rather than rely on a single source of investment.

Boko has argued that Botswana can work with different partners and that interest from one investor could encourage others to improve their offers.

The proposed financing arrangements would allow investors to participate in projects through concessions and other investment structures, with returns linked to the agreed terms rather than sovereign guarantees.

The strategy places foreign investment at the centre of Botswana’s plans to develop industries beyond its traditional economic activities.