12 May 2024

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi says Botswana has adopted  people-centred multilateralism as one of its many development paths.

President Masisi said this  during a meet and greet session with Batswana living in Texas on May 9.  He highlighted Botswana’s commitment to a people-centred approach to multilateralism as a key strategy for national development. The President emphasised the government’s focus on fostering collaborations and cooperation with the global community, identifying it as a top priority during his leadership.

He underscored the significant outcomes stemming from these partnerships, citing a recent successful visit to the United States of America. During this visit, he said, a significant milestone was reached as Botswana secured an agreement with the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to set up in the country. 

Dr Masisi said following the accomplishment, he embarked on the second phase of his visit to New York, where he engaged in constructive discussions with the Prime Minister of The Bahamas. The leaders  addressed mutual challenges facing Botswana and The Bahamas, seeking common ground for cooperation and progress. 

While in New York,  President Masisi seized the opportunity to interact with global thought leaders dedicated to finding sustainable solutions to pressing global issues and enhancing the quality of life for individuals worldwide.

At  these engagements, President Masisi called on  international conglomerates, urging them to overcome prejudice and preconceptions about Africa. He advocated for increased investment in the continent, emphasising the transformative potential to drive development initiatives and elevate the standard of living for African communities. 

“We want to call a meeting in Botswana where we can engage these multinationals in a conversation on ‘de-risk’ because we want the capital to be cheaper and affordable to us and the developing world, especially in Africa,” he said. 

President Masisi said Africa must speak with one voice and do away with the silo mentality that could only create disparities in developments and economic refugees who would then put a strain on host countries. 

A vibrant economic landscape across Africa, according to President Masisi, was paramount for robust trade to take shape as envisioned in the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA). 

He shared with his audience that the third leg of his working visit landed him at the 16th US-Africa Business Summit to look for opportunities to forge ties and create networks with like-minded people and companies to scale Botswana’s economy. “As a growing economy, a forum such as this one is an eye opener to us as a government and to the many Batswana companies who can learn best practices and secure a lucrative and a huge US market,” he said clarifying Botswana’s choice of forging partnerships with American companies. 

On other matters, President Masisi urged Batswana who stay in America to register for elections and use their democratic right to vote during polls this October. 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Lemogang Kwape, stated during the welcome that the meet and greet session was a platform for the President to meet with Batswana and appraise them on pertinent bread and butter issues back at home in a relaxed manner. 

One of the Batswana living in Dallas, Ms Tswelelo Magosi, praised President Masisi’s heroic exploits since ascending the highest office in the land in 2018. 

“We are short of words and can only express our gratitude for your exceptional leadership and this is reflected in our country flourishing under your leadership,” she said. Ends