A gathering of international goodwill
Mbongeni Mguni - Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday March 11, 2026 08:36
One of the most expensive things a country can lose is international goodwill. In fact, international goodwill is priceless. For a while, investors can continue to be attracted by pure returns, but at some point, the loss of international goodwill is what turns once hopeful countries into global pariahs that no one is willing to touch.
Examples abound of countries that, for various reasons, have lost substantial international goodwill and find themselves ostracised by many, shunned by potential development partners, paying a steep cost for whatever little loans can still be sourced and facing years of hard work to regain global trust.
Botswana, since Independence, has carefully built-up substantial international goodwill and gravitas to the point of being a global darling, a country that even its rivals love to see succeeding. The rags to riches story of a plucky post-colonial nation breaking out on its own, then masterfully managing its resources to power development while maintaining rare democratic credentials over decades, has indeed earned the country the moniker of “the Jewel of Africa”.
That global goodwill will come in handy as the country navigates a structurally challenging period in its economy, triggered by the prolonged downturn in diamonds. On Tuesday, government had an opportunity to practically test this goodwill and the results were overwhelmingly positive.
Ambassadors accredited to Gaborone from the global powers and across the world, as well as the local heads of supranational bodies such as the World Bank, spent the day from morning to evening engaging, initially with President Duma Boko and later the Vice President, Ndaba Gaolathe and several ministers. The Botswana Investment and Trade Centre presented on investment opportunities, while Finance Ministry senior policy advisor, Naledi Madala provided detail on the P500 billion Botswana Economic Transformation Programme.
“The strong turnout, some of them coming and sitting in the same room even as their countries fight in the Middle East, shows the enduring international support for Botswana and its developmental agenda,” a senior International Relations ministry official told Mmegi during the engagement. “The Ambassadors don’t have to spend the whole day here and can delegate to their attaches and officials who will provide perfect records of the engagements. “But it’s about turning up and showing partnership to Botswana.”
Health and Wellness minister, Stephen Modise, recalled the deluge of offers the country received when it declared a public health emergency last year.
“When you come into government with a wish-list of all the things you want to achieve, then meet a challenge of lack of funds, you have to become very creative,” he said. “One of the ways is by working with the people in this room today and we have worked with amazing partners. “When we had a situation with medicines, there were a lot of offers and overwhelming goodwill which showed that in trying times, you can tap on someone’s should and people come through.”
At the gathering, officials from the World Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organisation and many others offered different solutions and platforms to power a recovery from the current economic stasis and also to partner with Botswana in its transformation.
In side meetings, the diplomats engaged with the officials from different ministries and agencies to hone in on available partnerships, signalling the goodwill supportive of the required recovery.
Addressing the diplomats, Boko appreciated the ambassadors and heads of supranationals, but also spelt out the kind of cooperation Botswana was looking for, as it eyes a historic economic transformation.
“Botswana is entering a new chapter in its history, a chapter defined by democratic renewal, economic resilience, and bold ambition,” he said. “We are committed to charting a clear path to economic recovery and growth, anchored in our bold transition toward a private-sector-led economy that drives innovation, competitiveness, and shared prosperity for all our people. “We believe in diplomacy anchored in respect, cooperation grounded in equality and partnerships driven by shared prosperity.”
The diplomats in the room, by staying until twilight, showed that they were at least prepared to engage with the proposals and the transformation sought after by Botswana.