MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s State Visit to Botswana is expected to open new avenues for economic and investment cooperation between the two countries, building on a series of agreements and projects in energy, mining and other strategic sectors.
The visit comes as Oman continues to expand its economic partnerships with promising international markets, including Africa, as part of its economic diversification efforts.
Oman-Botswana relations have gained considerable momentum following two visits by Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko to Oman — a private visit from October 18 to 20, 2025, followed by an official visit from April 12 to 15, 2026.
The engagements resulted in agreements and memoranda of understanding covering mining, energy, petroleum product storage, solar energy and medical cooperation.
In another step towards strengthening bilateral ties, Botswana announced on July 28, 2026, that holders of Omani passports would be exempt from entry visas for stays of up to 90 days. The move is expected to facilitate people-to-people contacts as well as commercial and economic exchanges.
Energy has emerged as a major area of cooperation. The two countries signed strategic agreements in Gaborone in November 2025 for renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of up to 3,000 MW.
The cooperation also covers mineral exploration across around 70 per cent of Botswana's unexplored territory and the development of petroleum product storage facilities.
Implementation agreements and a power purchase agreement for the 500 MW Maun solar energy project were signed in Muscat on April 13, 2026. The foundation stone for the project was laid on April 16, making it the first project to move from agreement to implementation under the wider 3,000 MW renewable energy programme.
Other agreements cover geological exploration and assessment of mineral resources, cooperation aimed at strengthening fuel security, and exploration for minerals including gold and diamonds.
Abdulsalam bin Mohammed al Murshidi, President of the Oman Investment Authority, said the visit seeks to build on the cooperation already achieved between the two countries.
He said Oman and Botswana now stand on a solid foundation of joint investments and renewed opportunities for cooperation, serving the visions of the leaderships and the interests of the two peoples.
Al Murshidi described Oman-Botswana relations as a model of mutual trust, noting that initial meetings quickly developed into reciprocal visits, investment agreements and projects, some of which have already moved to implementation.
Faisal bin Abdullah al Rawas, Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said both countries have economic strengths that provide opportunities to expand their partnership.
He identified mining, agriculture, livestock, food security, tourism and logistics as important areas for investment and exchange of expertise.
Al Rawas also stressed the importance of increasing reciprocal visits, organising specialised meetings and forums, and building direct links between private-sector institutions in the two countries.
Botswana's economy is heavily dependent on diamonds, which account for more than 90 per cent of its export revenues.
Oman, meanwhile, continues to use economic diplomacy to strengthen trade and investment, diversify its economy and expand its international partnerships.
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