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Abstract
Africa has an abundance of energy and mineral assets and
agricultural land. In spite of the variety of outlooks across
its numerous countries there is a common understanding
that these natural resources need to be used carefully
and thoughtfully if there is to be sustainable development
across Africa as a whole, especially pro-poor sustainable
development. Botswana has poor soils and climate
for agricultural production, but it has developed some
of its other resources. That development, combined
with far-sighted policy, has taken Botswana from being
one of the world’s least developed countries in 1966
at independence, to a middle-income economy now. Agriculture makes
a small contribution to economic growth, while mining, manufacturing,
construction, trade and hotels contribute much more. Botswana currently
has mines for diamonds, copper, nickel, coal, gold and various industrial
minerals used in the construction industry. Its mineral policies enable
many international companies to prospect for and mine these minerals.
Competitive mining laws, low sovereign and social risks, relatively good
infrastructure and easy access to land, security of tenure, and low levels of
corruption, are among reasons for Botswana having a favourable reputation
with international investors. Still, the country’s climate and soils make
agriculture challenging, and Botswana focuses on food security rather than
food self-sufficiency. It remains heavily dependent on mineral revenue.