Masisi vexed by Africa’s persisting resource curse :: Mmegi Online

Leading a country that has quantum-leaped its way out of abject poverty through shrewd fiscal spending of mineral revenues, President Mokgweetsi Masisi says there is an urgent need to nip the bud of a persistent resource curse phenomenon in African ground. According to Masisi, the African continent can borrow a leaf from Botswana’s mineral management book.

Speaking during the high-level dialogue on mineral resource governance in Africa conference in Gaborone this week, Masisi expressed his stern worries over how the blessing of mineral endowments has turned into political malediction for many African countries.

“Allow me at this juncture to recognise the prevailing challenges faced by many African countries due to the "resource curse," where natural resources, particularly minerals, have sometimes led to internal divisions rather than fostering national development and unity” he said.

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