The Banker magazine, a Financial Times publication based in London, has named Peggy Serame Africa’s Finance Minister of the Year, noting her guidance of the economy in a year of turmoil across the continent.
According to the magazine, the awards recognise officials that have best managed to stimulate growth and stabilise their economies. The annual awards select outstanding Finance Ministers from across the globe.
The Banker’s editors noted that Botswana’s growth has outpaced that of sub-Saharan Africa as a whole for six of the past eight years.
“Its economic growth slipped in 2023, but is set to tick back upwards in 2024, outpacing much of the region,” the magazine said.
Serame told The Banker that Botswana has embarked on a wide range of reforms including legislative and administrative changes such as the rationalisation of government machinery.
She also stressed the importance of the second Transitional National Development Plan whose priorities include export-led growth, attracting foreign direct investment and supporting the private sector through business environment reforms and value chain development.
“This process requires among others, a strong and resilient financial sector with adequate buffers to withstand emerging and systematic threats,” Serame told The Banker.
Other minister’s awarded were from Costa Rica, Vietnam, Switzerland and the Minister of Finance for Jordan.
