Botswana Passport

[Country name] The the Republic of Botswana.

[Area] 581730 square kilometers.

Population: 2.675 million (2023). The vast majority are Tswanas of the Bantu language family, accounting for 90% of the population. The main ethnic groups include the Enwato, Kunna, Enwakaise, and Tawana, among which the Enwato ethnic group is the largest, accounting for about 40% of the population. There are also tens of thousands of Europeans and Asians. The official language is English, and the common language is Tswana. Most residents believe in Christianity, while some residents in rural areas believe in traditional religions.

The capital is Gaborone, with a population of approximately 267000 (as of 2023).

【 Head of State 】 President Mokkweetsi Masisi was re elected as President on November 1, 2019.

[Important Festival] New Year: January 1st; Labor Day: May 1st; Sir Serets Kama Day: July 1st; President's Day: July 15-16; Independence Day: September 30th; Christmas: December 25th.

【 Overview 】 A landlocked country in southern Africa. The average altitude is around 1000 meters. It borders Zimbabwe to the east, Namibia to the west, Zambia to the north, and South Africa to the south. Most areas have a tropical grassland climate, while the western region has a desert or semi desert climate. The average annual temperature is 21 ℃. The average annual precipitation is 400 millimeters. Before independence, it was called Beizhuanna. In the 13th and 14th centuries AD, the Tswana people migrated from the north to this place. In 1885, it became a British protectorate and was called the "Bechuana Protectorate". On September 30, 1966, it declared independence and was named the the Republic of Botswana. It remained in the British Commonwealth and implemented a multi-party system. The Democratic Party of Botswana was in power and Serez Kama was the president.

In July 1980, Masire took over the presidency. In 1984, 1989, and 1994, the Democratic Party won consecutive parliamentary elections, and Masire was re elected as president three times. In 1998, Masire voluntarily resigned from the presidency and Mohae took over as president. In both 1999 and 2004, the Democratic Party won the general election by an overwhelming margin, and Mohae was re elected as president twice. In 2008, President Mohae's term expired and former Vice President Ian Kama took over as President. In the general election held in October 2009, the Democratic Party won 45 out of 57 elected seats in parliament, and Kama was re elected as president and formed a new cabinet. In October 2014, Kama was re elected as president in the general election, but the Democratic Party faced strong challenges from the opposition and only won 37 out of 57 elected seats. On April 1, 2018, former Vice President Mokwizi Masisi succeeded Kama, whose term had expired, as the fifth president of Bo since independence. In October 2019, Bo held the 12th national election, and Masisi was successfully re elected. He was sworn in on November 1st. The 13th national election will be held on October 30, 2024.

The Constitution came into effect on September 30, 1966 and has been amended several times since then. The Constitution stipulates that Bo shall implement a multi-party parliamentary system, with the separation of legislative, judicial, and executive powers; The President is the Head of State, Head of Government, and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, elected by the National Assembly for a term of 5 years, with a cumulative term of no more than 10 years from the date of first exercise of presidential powers; When the President dies, resigns, or the term of office expires, the Vice President automatically takes over the presidency; The National Assembly exercises legislative power; Resolutions and bills passed by the National Assembly must be approved by the President before they can take effect; The president has the power to convene and dissolve parliament.

The parliament is composed of the president, 57 elected members, 6 specially elected members (nominated by the president and approved by the parliament), and the speaker (elected by the parliament, presiding over parliamentary meetings, without voting rights), with a term of 5 years. The main powers of the parliament are to elect the president, enact laws, amend the constitution, review national development plans and government budgets. A general proposal requires a majority vote to pass, while an important proposal requires a two-thirds approval to pass. The current National Assembly was elected in the October 2019 general election. At present, the Democratic Party holds 38 seats, the Democratic Reform Alliance composed of the Democratic Movement Party, the National Front, and the People's Party holds 15 seats, the Patriotic Front Party holds 3 seats, and the Progressive Alliance Party holds 1 seat. All six elected members are members of the Democratic Party. Speaker Phandu Skelemani (Democratic Party) took office in November 2019.

The advisory body of the House of Chiefs, originally composed of 15 members. In April 2005, the parliament passed amendments to Articles 77, 78, and 79 of the constitution, which increased the number of members of the House of Chiefs to 35. Among them, 8 members were appointed by the chiefs of 8 major tribes, known as "ex officio members", 7 members were elected by the 8 ex officio members, known as "elected members", and the remaining 20 members were elected by various regions, known as "specially elected members". The scope of responsibilities and powers of the House of Chiefs is limited to specific traditional affairs, such as customary law, African courts, leadership positions, ethnic property, appointment and removal of tribal leaders, constitutional amendments, etc. Before the opening of the parliament every year, the House of Chiefs holds a regular meeting to propose motions and bills to the parliament, but they do not have any binding force. The House of Chiefs may request relevant ministers to explain the situation to the House of Chiefs when necessary, and ministers may also seek opinions from the House of Chiefs. On November 19, 2019, the House of Chiefs elected a new leader, with Kgosi Puso Gaborone, the Grand Chief of the Troqua tribe, re elected as Chairman and Kgosi Frank Tshipe Tshipe as Vice Chairman.

The current cabinet was formed on November 5, 2019. In 2022, President Masisi will adjust the names, functions, and personnel composition of cabinet departments, with the main members being: President Mokwizi Masisi, Vice President Slumber Tsogwane, Presidential Minister Neale Morwaeng, Defense and Security Minister Kagiso Mmusi, Foreign Minister Lemogang Kwape, Justice Minister Machana Shamukuni, Local Government and Rural Development Minister Kgotla Autlwetse, Finance Minister Peggy Selamai. y Serame, female, Minister of Transport and Public Affairs Eric Molale, Minister of Land and Water Resources Kefentse Mzwinila, Minister of Agriculture Fidelis Molao, Minister of Labor and Interior Anna Mokgethi, Minister of Education and Skills Development Douglas Letsholathebe, Minister of Health Edwin Dikoloti, Minister of Mines and Energy Lefoko Moagi, Minister of Trade and Industry Mmusi Kgafela, Minister of Communications, Knowledge and Technology Thuraganyo Segokgo, Minister of Youth, Gender, Sports and Culture Tumiso Rakgare Minister of Environment and Tourism, Philda Kereng (female), and Minister of Enterprise, Karabo Gare.

【 Government Website 】 www.gov.bw

The country is divided into 10 administrative regions.

The judicial system is composed of the High Court, appellate courts, and traditional courts. Traditional courts are equivalent to primary courts, with chiefs of various ethnic groups serving as law enforcers. Terence Rannowane, President of the High Court and Chief Justice. Prosecutor General Athalia Molokomme.

[Political parties] The main political parties are as follows: (1) Botswana Democratic Party: established in January 1962. He has been in power since independence, advocating economic independence and self-reliance, while maintaining social justice while developing the economy; Implementing multi-faceted diplomacy to safeguard and promote national interests. President Mokwizi Masisi and National President Srenburg Tsoghwane. General Secretary Caves Carrio.

(2) Umbrella for Democratic Change: Established in 2012. Botswana Movement for Democracy, founded on May 29, 2010, is a new opposition party split from the Democratic Party, with the slogan of "Our Botswana", Botswana National Front, founded in October 1967, advocating a national democratic revolution in Botswana to achieve socialism, and the People's Party, founded in the colonial period of 1960, the earliest party in Botswana, which formed a strong challenge to the Democratic Party in the 2014 general election. President Duma Boko. On February 3, 2017, the Botswana Congress Party (established in June 1998, split from the Democratic Front with the slogan "For National Freedom") joined the Democratic Reform Alliance and officially formed a new opposition alliance with the original three parties of the alliance, advocating social democracy with the party color of "Royal Blue".

(3) Alliance for Progressives of Botswana: Established in October 2017, it is a new opposition party split from the Democratic Movement, an opposition party, and is committed to leading the Botswana people to build a new the Republic of Botswana. President Ndaba Gaolathe.

(4) Botswana Patriot Front: It was founded on July 6, 2019 by former President Kama and his followers who withdrew from the Botswana Democratic Party. It advocates strengthening infrastructure construction, attaches importance to food security, tourism development and other fields, and expresses its commitment to bringing employment and wealth to Botswana. CEO Biggie Butale.

[Important Person] Mokwizi Masisi: President. Born in July 1962. In 1984, he received a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Botswana. He went to Florida State University in the United States and the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom to study and obtained master's degrees in education and economic sociology respectively. Previously served in the Ministry of Education and the United Nations. In 2009, he was elected as a member of the National Assembly and served as the Deputy Minister of Affairs and Public Administration for President Bo. From 2011 to 2014, he served as the Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Minister of Education, and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Poverty Alleviation. Vice President since November 2014. Elected as the National Chairman of the Bo Democratic Party in July 2015 and re elected in July 2017. Appointed as President and President of the Democratic Party on April 1, 2018. In October 2019, he led the Democratic Party to win the 12th national election and was re elected as president. Schlumberger Tsonghwane: Vice President. Born in 1960, elected as a member of the National Assembly in 1999 and re elected to this day. From 2004 to 2009, he served as the Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Development in Bo. From 2014 to March 2018, served as the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development. Elected as the National Chairman of the Bo Democratic Party on April 1, 2018, and Vice President on April 4. Re elected as Vice President in November 2019.

Bo is one of the countries in Africa with rapid economic development and good economic conditions. The diamond industry is the backbone of its economy, accounting for about one-third of its gross domestic product. Animal husbandry is a traditional industry, while manufacturing is underdeveloped. In recent years, tourism has developed rapidly and become an emerging industry. After independence, the Bo government established a free market economy system, adopted preferential measures to attract foreign investment and advanced technology, and formulated 11 national development plans, achieving rapid and sustainable economic development. In order to change the situation where economic development mainly relies on the diamond industry, the Bo government began to implement economic diversification policies from the late 1980s and achieved certain results.

After taking office as president, Masisi will prioritize promoting economic diversification, increasing employment, and improving people's livelihoods, with diamond industry, tourism, animal husbandry, mining, and financial services identified as key industries. In 2022, in order to deal with the COVID-19 and promote economic recovery, the Bo government will introduce a short-term rescue plan of 1.8 billion Pula, including reducing the VAT rate and exempting the VAT on edible oil and liquefied gas. The main economic data for 2023 are as follows: (Source: International Monetary Fund)

Gross Domestic Product: 20.45 billion US dollars

Per capita Gross Domestic Product: 7640 US dollars

Economic growth rate: 3.2%

Currency name: Pula

Exchange rate: 1 US dollar ≈ 13.23 Pula

【 Resources 】 Rich in mineral resources. The main mineral deposits are diamonds, followed by copper nickel, coal, soda ash, platinum, gold, manganese, etc. Diamond reserves and production rank among the top in the world. The proven reserves of copper nickel ore are 46 million tons, and the coal reserves are 17 billion tons.

In recent years, the Bo government has actively developed the diamond processing industry to increase its profits. In 2008, the diamond production was 32.6 million carats, with a value of 3.27 billion US dollars, ranking first in the world. Affected by the international financial crisis, diamond production significantly decreased to 17.73 million carats in 2009. The diamond production in 2011 was 22.9 million carats. Copper and nickel are important export mineral products after diamonds, with a production of 32000 tons in 2011. In 2012, Bo's diamond exports amounted to 36.1 billion Pula, accounting for 79.3% of the total exports, while copper and nickel exports amounted to 3.31 billion Pula, accounting for 7.3% of the total exports. In 2013, the diamond production of Bo increased by 12.4%, and the mining output value increased by 10.6%. In 2014, global raw material prices continued to decline significantly, causing a heavy blow to the diamond industry and a sharp decline in diamond production to 12.23 million carats. Thanks to the recovery of global diamond demand, the production of diamonds in Bo rose to 20.37 million carats in 2015, 20.5 million carats in 2016, 22.96 million carats in 2017, and over 24.1 million carats in 2018. In 2020, under the impact of the COVID-19, the mining industry will reduce production by more than 60%. In 2021, due to the increase in diamond production, the mining industry recovered to pre pandemic levels, with industrial output accounting for 19.2% of the total GDP.

The manufacturing industry accounts for about 4% of the gross domestic product, including textiles, beer, chemicals, and electricity.

Agriculture and animal husbandry are relatively underdeveloped, with arable land accounting for 15% of the country's total area. In 2017/2018, the cultivated area was 268500 hectares, and the grain output was about 66100 tons, which can only meet about 22% of the domestic grain demand. The main crops are sorghum, corn, millet, beans, as well as fruits and vegetables. The government encourages farmers to diversify their crops and increase their self-sufficiency in food.

Animal husbandry accounts for 70% of the agricultural output value and is one of the traditional pillar industries of the national economy, as well as the main source of income for farmers. Animal husbandry is mainly based on raising cattle, supplemented by raising sheep. Bo has modern large-scale slaughterhouses and meat processing plants with an annual slaughter capacity of 400000 to 500000 cows. The export value of beef in 2017 was 85.8 million US dollars, accounting for 1.31% of the total export value. The poultry farming industry began in 1976 and produces broiler chickens and eggs that meet domestic demand.

Bo is one of the major tourist destinations in Africa. Rich in tourism resources, it is a country with a large variety and quantity of wildlife in Africa. The government has designated 38% of the country's territory as wildlife conservation areas and established 3 national parks and 5 wildlife conservation areas. Qiaobei National Park and Okavango Delta Wildlife Reserve are the main tourist attractions. The tourism industry is the second largest contributor to GDP and has created the largest job growth. Currently, there are a total of 80 registered hotels in Bo. The hotel industry has created a total of 11604 job opportunities. The government has established a tourism industry training fund for the training of tourism industry employees.

【 Transportation 】 Road transportation is the main mode of transportation, with major towns connected by roads with a total length of 19400 kilometers, of which 30% are paved with asphalt. The major towns across the country, as well as between Botswana and South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, are basically connected by asphalt roads, with higher grades of trunk roads. The railway is 900 kilometers long. The main railway lines cross Francistown, Gaborone, and Lobaze, connecting South Africa and Zimbabwe. Bo Railway Company is a state-owned enterprise responsible for railway transportation. Bo Airlines has regional routes to South Africa and routes between major towns and tourist areas in the country. There are currently 6 international airports, with Kama International Airport in the capital and the remaining 5 airports located in Francistown, Maung, Casani, Selebi Piquet, and Hangzi. In addition, there are dozens of small airports scattered across the country. In 2005, Bo established an independent Civil Aviation Administration. Bo Airlines transports nearly one million passengers annually.

The Bo National Bank was established in 1975 and issued the domestic currency "Pula" in 1976. Long term implementation of prudent fiscal policies. A few years ago, due to the decline in mining revenue, the appreciation of the Pula against the US dollar, and the implementation of proactive fiscal policies by the government, there was a fiscal deficit at one point. The government has taken strict measures to control expenditures, resulting in a surplus of fiscal revenue and expenditure. As of the end of 2023, the total external debt is 2.05 billion US dollars, with a debt ratio of 8.8% and foreign exchange reserves of 4.757 billion US dollars,

Implement a free trade policy in foreign trade. Mainly exporting diamonds, copper nickel ore products, mechanical and electrical products, etc; Import diamonds, mechanical and electrical products, fuel, food, etc. Bo's main trading partners are South Africa, Namibia, Canada, and Belgium. In 2023, the total foreign trade volume of Bo is 11.93 billion US dollars, of which imports are 6.41 billion US dollars and exports are 5.52 billion US dollars.

In 1997, Bo established the Export Development and Investment Agency (BED IA), which is responsible for promoting exports and attracting foreign investment. In April 2012, Botswana Financial Service Center and Export Development and Investment Bureau merged to establish Botswana Investment and Trade Center to promote investment and export and provide services for the public. In 2023, Moody's awarded Bo an A3 sovereign credit rating.

The main aid countries and international organizations are the European Union, Japan, the United States, Sweden, Norway, Germany, the United Nations Development Programme, the African Development Bank, etc. After becoming a middle-income country, the official development assistance and preferential loans provided by most Western countries to Bo have significantly decreased.

According to the World Bank's 2018 World Development Index, the urbanization rate of the Bo population in 2017 was 68.7%. In 2016, the average life expectancy of the Bo population was 64 years for males and 69.5 years for females. 84.4% of the urban population has access to safe drinking water. According to the 2013/2014 report of the Central Bureau of Statistics, there are 18 hospitals, 17 primary hospitals, 108 clinics with beds, and 180 clinics without beds in China. There are 5276 hospital beds nationwide. The AIDS infection rate is high, and the average AIDS infection rate of Bo in 2013 was 17.6%. Bo Telecom's network has been fully digitized. After the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, Bo is one of the last countries in Africa and even the world to have cases. In October 2022, the Bo government completely lifted measures such as mask orders, entry nucleic acid testing, and isolation of confirmed patients.

The National Defense Force was established in 1977. There are currently about 9000 military personnel, including 8500 in the army and 500 in the air force. The current Commander of the National Defense Forces, Major General Placid Segokgo. The police force consists of approximately 1500 personnel, with the Chief of Police, Keabetswe Makgophe.

After independence, Bo attached great importance to the national education cause, and the adult literacy rate increased from less than 10% in 1966 to 88.6% in 2014. The education system is complete, including formal education at primary, secondary, and university levels, vocational and technical education, special school education, and extracurricular education. The education system consists of 7 years of primary school, 3 years of junior high school, and 2 years of high school. Primary and junior high education are compulsory, while primary and higher education are free of tuition fees. Since 2006, a tuition fee sharing system has been implemented for secondary education, with junior high school students paying 300 Pula per person per year, high school students paying 600 Pula, and the majority of the remaining fees being borne by the government.

[Press and Publication] There are 12 kinds of newspapers, including the official daily Daily News, the private daily Mmegi, and the private weekly newspapers Botswana Guardian, The Mid week Sun, Botswana Gazette, Echo, etc. The Daily News is a free newspaper with a daily circulation of approximately 65000 copies, published in both English and Tswana languages. The Reporter and the weekly Observer are distributed by Dikgang, Bo's largest private publishing company. The daily circulation of The Reporter is about 20000 copies. The circulation of other newspapers ranges from 15000 to 20000 copies. In 2013, the Communist Party of China printed 7.58 million newspapers. Botswana News Agency is an official news agency, which was founded in 1981. It mainly reports domestic news and is the main contributor to the Daily News and radio broadcasting stations. Radio Botswana is an official radio station, which was founded in 1965 and broadcasts in English and Tswana. Gabarone Television is a private television station established in 1988.

Botswana National Television started broadcasting in July 2000. The programs are divided into English and Tswana, all using digital transmission technology, and can cover most of Africa through satellite.

We adhere to a non aligned foreign policy and actively participate in regional political affairs and economic cooperation. Advocate for national sovereignty equality and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, and resolve disputes through negotiations. Advocate for the establishment of a fair and equal new international political and economic order. Actively participate in African and regional affairs, promote regional stability, development, and cooperation. Advocating that developing countries, especially small and medium-sized countries, should strengthen cooperation and jointly address the challenges of globalization. The Secretariat of the Southern African Development Community (Southern African Development Community) is located in Gaborone. Bo is still a member of the United Nations, African Union, Commonwealth, Non Aligned Movement, and Southern African Customs Union.