Botswana has clinched a record-breaking $12 billion investment package with Qatar’s Al Mansour Holdings, in one of the largest foreign direct investment deals in the nation’s history.
The agreement, signed in Gaborone on 21 August and announced by President Duma Boko, will inject funds into infrastructure, energy, mining, diamond refinement, agriculture, tourism, cybersecurity, and defence.
President Boko hailed the partnership as a “historic move” to stabilise the economy and unlock long-term growth. “This is not just about numbers, but real projects and real change for our people,” he said.
The deal arrives at a crucial moment for Botswana, which has been hit by a slump in the global diamond market — the backbone of its economy. Diamond revenues fell sharply last year, shrinking GDP by 3%, with further declines expected in 2025.
Officials say the investment will create thousands of jobs, expand public services, and open new export markets, helping the country reduce reliance on diamonds. The first wave of projects will focus on infrastructure and energy, followed by other sectors in phases.
The agreement was finalised with the Botswana Development Corporation and comes alongside commitments to regional collaboration under the African Continental Free Trade Area, with potential extensions into Zambia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.
Qatari representatives, led by Sheikh Mansour Bin Jabor Bin Jassim Al Thani and his son Sheikh Mahomed Bin Mansoor Bin Jabor Al Thani, travelled to Botswana to seal the deal.
President Boko described the agreement as “a turning point for Botswana’s future”, pledging transparency and accountability in its rollout.
