Diamond miracle hurls Botswana to Africa�s elite,but...

Botswana has now over 7, 000km of tarred road from just 7km in 1966
Botswana has now over 7, 000km of tarred road from just 7km in 1966

As Botswana marks half a century of independence, it is clear that the discovery of the diamonds has played the biggest part in the incredible development story of the country. Although concerns have since emerged about the country’s lack of progress in diversifying exports away from diamonds, BusinessWeek staff writer ISAAC PINIELO reflects on how the country has progressed since 1966

Botswana has always been described as an African success story since it has managed to transform itself from one of the poorest nations in the world into a modern, upper middle-income country.

At the time of independence in 1966, Botswana was one of the poorest countries in the world, with a predominantly agrarian economy.

Editor's Comment
Oh what a State funeral!

That rare sight deserves heartfelt praise, not only for President Duma Boko and his administration, but also for the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), the Mogae family, and the entire country.President Boko’s decision to grant a full state funeral to a man who belonged to a rival party was a mark of true statesmanship. He recognised that national leadership carries a weight that belongs to the whole...

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