Botswana
Botswana has an excellent track record of political and macroeconomic stability as well as a well-developed mining sector and sound regulatory environment. The economy has a heavy reliance on diamonds and tourism, but potential exists in the coal mining, energy and transport sectors.
We expect real GDP growth will slow to 3.7% this year from 4.4% in 2018 mainly due to stagnating diamond production, reduced government capital expenditure and drought conditions. An expected global economic growth slowdown and continued global trade frictions will put a damper on commodity prices and exports in 2019. Despite the unprecedented rift between the sitting president Mogkweetsi Masisi and his predecessor Ian Khama, we expect the ruling BDP party to win the general election in October and for policy continuity afterwards. (Source: Botswana Quarterly Update, published June 2019.)
Macroeconomic Data
(2018)
|
Fiscal Balance (as a % of GDP) |
-2.4 |
|
Consumer Price Index (% change y-o-y, avg) |
3.2 |
|
Current Account Balance (as a % of GDP) |
1.9 |
|
Real GDP (annual % change) |
4.4 |
|
GDP per Capita, US$ |
7,980.4 |
|
Import Cover (months) |
14.2 |
|
Population, million |
2.3 |
| Total External Debt (as a % of GDP) |
7.8 |