The Interview Duma Boko, President of Botswana: The world will listen to Africa
Oct 8, 2025
Duma Boko, a Harvard-educated human rights lawyer and the newly elected President of Botswana, discusses his ambitious plans for economic reform and diamond ownership. He aims to take control of diamond reserves and diversify the economy beyond mining. Boko emphasizes the need for Africa's representation in global forums and advocates for tariff-free access to U.S. markets. He also highlights the importance of regional collaboration and empowering women and youth in governance as part of a broader vision for a strong, united Africa.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Process Minerals Locally To Keep Value
- Stop exporting raw minerals and instead process them domestically to retain jobs and value.
- Prioritise in-country beneficiation to drive industrialisation and job creation.
Economic Unity As Diplomatic Leverage
- Boko supports Africa gaining two permanent UN Security Council seats and says economic unity will increase leverage.
- He argues intra-African trade and manufacturing will force the world to listen to Africa's priorities.
Use AfCFTA To Aggregate Produce
- Use the AfCFTA to aggregate products and meet large markets together rather than individually.
- Collaborate regionally to achieve scale and quality needed for lucrative export markets.