The ace up Botswana’s sleeve at US-Africa Summit

Friday, December 23, 2022 | 410 Views |

Partners for development: Foreign Affairs minister, Lemogang Kwape held a bilateral meeting with US undersecretary for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland PIC: MBONGENI MGUNI

As the competition for investor attention peaked amongst African nations at the recent summit called by President Joe Biden for the continent’s leaders, Botswana, which had appeared to be losing ground to its continental rivals, pulled out a trump card. Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI was in Washington DC and reports

They may call each other ‘brothers’ and pass ‘fraternal greetings’ at every opportunity.

And indeed they are. But African countries are also each other’s rivals for foreign investor attention, the kind that brings in capital, skills transfer, job creation, economic deepening, and for many countries the possibility that the investor will export back to their home country and generate valuable foreign currency. This is not to say African countries aren’t also trying to boost investment and trade amongst each other.

Already have an active account? Log in here.

Or Sign up and get unlimited access to premium articles.