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

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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)