Cynthia Thanda

In August 2026, President Duma Gideon Boko of the Republic of Botswana defended the establishment of Botswana’s first physical diplomatic mission in Moscow, Russia.

In November 2025, President Boko warmly welcomed Smt. Droupadi Murmu, President of India, during her visit to Botswana. Botswana has also strengthened its economic relations with South Africa, including changes to its restrictions on fresh vegetable imports.

Russia, India and China are all members of BRICS, while Botswana remains outside the grouping.

These developments raise an important question: as Botswana seeks to transform its economy and pursue the ambitions of Vision 2036, should the country be looking more closely towards the emerging Global South and platforms such as BRICS?

When President Boko’s administration speaks about Botswana’s future, the conversation increasingly centres on economic transformation, diversification and new opportunities. Thousands of kilometres away, BRICS is pursuing its own vision of greater cooperation among countries of the Global South.

At first glance, these may appear to be separate developments. However, there are areas where Botswana’s national priorities and the broader BRICS agenda intersect.

During the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, held from 12th to 13th September 2026, member countries highlighted the transformative impact of information and communication technologies as drivers of socioeconomic growth and digital transformation, while reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation in these areas.

This coincides with the ambitions of Botswana’s Vision 2036. Botswana aspires to become a knowledge-based economy that promotes the use of science, technology and innovation across the social, economic and business spheres to improve efficiency and create greater opportunities.

Botswana is also seeking to leverage Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a contributor to economic growth and employment while improving the efficiency of both the private and public sectors.

With Botswana already maintaining bilateral relations with countries such as China and India – two major BRICS members and leading players in technology- could deeper engagement with BRICS provide another avenue for Botswana to pursue these ambitions?

The question becomes even more relevant as President Boko’s administration focuses on economic transformation and diversification.

For Botswana to have a stronger voice at the international table, it must strategically position itself within an increasingly interconnected and multipolar world.

Botswana’s reputation as a peaceful and stable country has long been an important part of its international identity. But in a changing global order, being peaceful may not be enough.

Botswana may also need to consider how it can translate that reputation into greater diplomatic influence, stronger partnerships and opportunities for its people.

This does not necessarily mean choosing one side of the world over another. Rather, it could mean recognising that Botswana’s foreign policy can accommodate partnerships across different parts of the international system while remaining guided by its own national interests.

As the global order becomes increasingly multipolar, should Botswana remain primarily an observer of that transformation, or position itself to participate in it?