Botswana will diversify its diamond-dependent economy by launching into the medicinal cannabis market and exploiting its abundant sunshine, President Duma Boko said Tuesday

Boko swept to power in elections three weeks ago that ejected the party that had ruled for nearly six decades on concerns about a slump in the economy.

Diamonds make up about 80 percent of the southern African country’s foreign earnings.

“The decline in diamond revenues by over 60 percent in recent years is a clear signal that we can no longer afford to depend on a single commodity,” Boko said.

His government aims to attract investors to high-potential sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, tourism and technology.

“Botswana receives more than 3,200 hours of sunlight annually and averages 21 megajoules per square metre which is among the highest in the world,” Boko said.

“The potential of solar energy is abundant.”

The arid country will also begin cultivating medicinal cannabis and industrial hemp to plug into the growing international market.

“Our forecast in Botswana is to significantly increase our GDP with cannabis and hemp-related products,” said Boko.

“We will create jobs in this industry.”

Source

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241119-new-botswana-leader-eyes-cannabis-sunshine-to-lift-economy

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