Duma Boko, President of Botswana: the world will listen to Africa

The world will have to listen to Africa


Waihiga Mwaura speaks to Botswana’s President Duma Boko about his
plans to reinvigorate the economy, taking greater control of the
country’s diamond reserves, but also diversifying its mining and
other sectors. Currently facing hefty tariffs from the US, he
claims to be close to securing a tariff-free deal for Botswana’s
diamonds at least.


But President Boko also has a vision of a reinvigorated Africa, a
continent that works together to become a formidable economic
force, where its own people reap the benefits of its rich
resources. Africa, he says, is rising.


Duma Boko, a human rights lawyer who was educated at Harvard,
helped to create the party he leads, the Umbrella for Democratic
Change. His victory in the 2024 presidential election, at his
third attempt, finally ousted the Botswana Democratic Party from
power after almost 60 years.


Thank you to Waihiga Mwaura, Kasra Karimi and Priscilla Ng’ethe
Koinange for their help in making this programme. The Interview
brings you conversations with people shaping our world, from all
over the world. The best interviews from the BBC. You can listen
on the BBC World Service, Mondays and Wednesdays at 0700 GMT. Or
you can listen to The Interview as a podcast, out twice a week on
BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts.


Presenter: Waihiga Mwaura Producer(s): Lucy Sheppard, Kasra
Karimi and Priscilla Ng’ethe Koinange Editor: Justine Lang


Get in touch with us on email TheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the
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(Image: Botswana's President Duma Gideon Boko addresses the 80th
United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York,
U.S, Credit: Eduardo Muñoz/Reuters)