SELEBI-PHIKWE — President Duma Gideon Boko on Tuesday challenged Council Chairpersons and Mayors to lead Botswana’s economic transformation, saying Local Authorities must move beyond administration and become engines of growth, innovation, and job creation.
Speaking at a high-level forum with council leaders in Selebi-Phikwe, Boko said the country’s future depends on urgent action to diversify the economy, strengthen local industries, and deliver tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.
“Botswana must transition into a high-powered, digitally driven economy capable of creating opportunities for all citizens,” Boko said. “Batswana are demanding jobs, food security, decent living standards, improved healthcare, and better infrastructure. Local Authorities must focus on delivering tangible results within the next five years.”
The President described Botswana’s economic challenges as structural and long-standing. He pointed to high unemployment, poor health outcomes, deteriorating infrastructure, and stagnant wages as clear signs that the country can no longer rely on outdated approaches.
“We cannot continue with business as usual,” he said. “We need data-driven strategies that move Botswana toward sustainable prosperity. That means planning with numbers, measuring outcomes, and holding ourselves accountable for what we deliver.”
Boko emphasized that meaningful change requires implementation rather than rhetoric. He said leadership at the council level must prioritize practical solutions over political blame and complaints.
“Local Authorities are at the centre of national development because they interact directly with communities and understand the realities citizens face daily,” he said. “You know where the roads are broken, where the clinics are understaffed, and where young people are struggling to find work. That proximity gives you an advantage no ministry in Gaborone can match.”
The President warned against political infighting, gossip, and point-scoring among leaders, saying such distractions slow down service delivery and erode public trust. He urged council leaders to unite around a shared national vision aimed at improving citizens’ lives regardless of political affiliation.
“We are all here to serve Batswana,” Boko said. “If we spend more time fighting each other than solving problems, the people lose. The next five years must be about results, not excuses.”
Diversification and new revenue streams
A major focus of Boko’s address was Botswana’s dependence on traditional revenue sources. He noted that the economy remains heavily reliant on diamonds, Southern African Customs Union revenues, taxes, and government collections.
“Diamond revenues are declining,” he warned. “Diamond values have fallen significantly in international markets, while commodities such as gold and copper continue to gain value. We cannot afford to be caught unprepared.”
Boko described the liquidation of the BCL mine in Selebi-Phikwe as a “fatal mistake,” arguing that it represented a missed opportunity to diversify and strengthen the mining sector. He said the closure cost the town jobs, revenue, and a chance to build a more resilient local economy.
“The loss of BCL should teach us a lesson,” he said. “We must urgently identify and develop new revenue streams capable of supporting long-term economic growth. That includes agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and the digital economy.”
He called on councils to take the lead in leveraging local resources, supporting traders, and empowering small and medium enterprises. Rural industrialisation, he said, should be a priority to revitalise economies outside major urban centres and reduce urban migration.
“Councils must stop over-theorising problems and start implementing solutions,” Boko said. “You are best positioned to design practical economic programs because you work with communities every day. If a district has fertile land, support farmers. If there is tourism potential, build the infrastructure and partnerships to make it work.”
Call for collaboration and leadership reform
Boko also urged council leaders to embrace collaboration and coalition-building across political lines and with the private sector, civil society, and traditional leadership. He said no single institution can address Botswana’s challenges alone.
“Economic transformation requires partnerships,” he said. “Work with investors, work with cooperatives, work with youth groups. Set aside political differences for the greater good of the country.”
He called on leaders to practice empathy, self-reflection, and personal transformation, arguing that national change begins with individual growth in leadership style and accountability.
“Timelines matter,” Boko said. “Set targets, monitor progress, and be honest with the public about what is working and what is not. Citizens deserve transparency.”
The forum brought together Council Chairpersons and Mayors from across the country to discuss local governance, service delivery, and strategies for strengthening leadership within Local Authorities. Discussions also covered digital transformation, public finance management, and aligning district plans with the national development agenda.
Boko closed by reminding leaders that their mandate is ultimately about improving daily life for Batswana.
“People do not care about speeches,” he said. “They care about whether there is water in their taps, whether their children have jobs, and whether their clinics are open. That is the standard by which you will be judged.”
SELEBI-PHIKWE — President Duma Gideon Boko on Tuesday challenged Council Chairpersons and Mayors to lead Botswana’s economic transformation, saying Local Authorities must move beyond administration and become engines of growth, innovation, and job creation.
Speaking at a high-level forum with council leaders in Selebi-Phikwe, Boko said the country’s future depends on urgent action to diversify the economy, strengthen local industries, and deliver tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.
“Botswana must transition into a high-powered, digitally driven economy capable of creating opportunities for all citizens,” Boko said. “Batswana are demanding jobs, food security, decent living standards, improved healthcare, and better infrastructure. Local Authorities must focus on delivering tangible results within the next five years.”
The President described Botswana’s economic challenges as structural and long-standing. He pointed to high unemployment, poor health outcomes, deteriorating infrastructure, and stagnant wages as clear signs that the country can no longer rely on outdated approaches.
“We cannot continue with business as usual,” he said. “We need data-driven strategies that move Botswana toward sustainable prosperity. That means planning with numbers, measuring outcomes, and holding ourselves accountable for what we deliver.”
Boko emphasized that meaningful change requires implementation rather than rhetoric. He said leadership at the council level must prioritize practical solutions over political blame and complaints.
“Local Authorities are at the centre of national development because they interact directly with communities and understand the realities citizens face daily,” he said. “You know where the roads are broken, where the clinics are understaffed, and where young people are struggling to find work. That proximity gives you an advantage no ministry in Gaborone can match.”
The President warned against political infighting, gossip, and point-scoring among leaders, saying such distractions slow down service delivery and erode public trust. He urged council leaders to unite around a shared national vision aimed at improving citizens’ lives regardless of political affiliation.
“We are all here to serve Batswana,” Boko said. “If we spend more time fighting each other than solving problems, the people lose. The next five years must be about results, not excuses.”
Diversification and new revenue streams
A major focus of Boko’s address was Botswana’s dependence on traditional revenue sources. He noted that the economy remains heavily reliant on diamonds, Southern African Customs Union revenues, taxes, and government collections.
“Diamond revenues are declining,” he warned. “Diamond values have fallen significantly in international markets, while commodities such as gold and copper continue to gain value. We cannot afford to be caught unprepared.”
Boko described the liquidation of the BCL mine in Selebi-Phikwe as a “fatal mistake,” arguing that it represented a missed opportunity to diversify and strengthen the mining sector. He said the closure cost the town jobs, revenue, and a chance to build a more resilient local economy.
“The loss of BCL should teach us a lesson,” he said. “We must urgently identify and develop new revenue streams capable of supporting long-term economic growth. That includes agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and the digital economy.”
He called on councils to take the lead in leveraging local resources, supporting traders, and empowering small and medium enterprises. Rural industrialisation, he said, should be a priority to revitalise economies outside major urban centres and reduce urban migration.
“Councils must stop over-theorising problems and start implementing solutions,” Boko said. “You are best positioned to design practical economic programs because you work with communities every day. If a district has fertile land, support farmers. If there is tourism potential, build the infrastructure and partnerships to make it work.”
Call for collaboration and leadership reform
Boko also urged council leaders to embrace collaboration and coalition-building across political lines and with the private sector, civil society, and traditional leadership. He said no single institution can address Botswana’s challenges alone.
“Economic transformation requires partnerships,” he said. “Work with investors, work with cooperatives, work with youth groups. Set aside political differences for the greater good of the country.”
He called on leaders to practice empathy, self-reflection, and personal transformation, arguing that national change begins with individual growth in leadership style and accountability.
“Timelines matter,” Boko said. “Set targets, monitor progress, and be honest with the public about what is working and what is not. Citizens deserve transparency.”
The forum brought together Council Chairpersons and Mayors from across the country to discuss local governance, service delivery, and strategies for strengthening leadership within Local Authorities. Discussions also covered digital transformation, public finance management, and aligning district plans with the national development agenda.
Boko closed by reminding leaders that their mandate is ultimately about improving daily life for Batswana.
“People do not care about speeches,” he said. “They care about whether there is water in their taps, whether their children have jobs, and whether their clinics are open. That is the standard by which you will be judged.”