Botswana and Oman Sign Energy, Mining Agreements

President Duma Boko of Botswana and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman signed multiple agreements on energy, mining, and infrastructure during Boko's official visit to Muscat this week, as Botswana seeks to expand its economic partnerships beyond its diamond-dependent economy.

The accords, formalized during high-level talks, focus on joint mineral exploration for copper, gold, graphite, and iron ore, targeting untapped areas that cover about 70 percent of Botswana's territory. This initiative aims to bolster the mining sector, which remains central to the nation's economy but faces volatility from declining diamond revenues. A key component includes the development of a 500-megawatt solar photovoltaic power plant with integrated battery storage in Maun, northwest Botswana. The project, led by Oman's NAQAA Sustainable Energy LLC, is expected to operate for at least 25 years and support Botswana's goal of increasing renewable energy's share in its power supply from 8 percent to 50 percent by 2030.

Infrastructure agreements address fuel security through storage facilities at Namibia's Walvis Bay port and Botswana's Tshele Hills Strategic Petroleum Depot. Botswana Oil Limited and...