Botswana heads to the polls today, as citizens decide whether President Mokgweetsi Masisi will win a second term. The election brings economic challenges to the forefront, particularly concerns over a weakening diamond market, which has traditionally strengthened Botswana’s economy.
Masisi’s Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has been in power since independence in 1966, is favoured to win but faces growing discontent. The opposition has criticized Masisi’s administration for slow economic growth, high unemployment, and persistent inequality. While Masisi acknowledges these issues, he attributes delayed economic progress to COVID-19.
Botswana remains the world’s leading diamond producer by value, but it hasn’t diversified its economy. The BDP’s current manifesto aims to stimulate growth by enhancing agricultural production and advancing mineral processing.
