Botswana is moving beyond raw mineral extraction toward adding value within the country, a strategy its International Relations Minister Phenyo Butale says is key to boosting industrialisation and creating more jobs.
Speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026, where he joined global leaders and experts to discuss the strategic role of critical minerals, Butale explained that this approach is designed to help Botswana retain a larger share of the economic benefits from its natural resources.
He went on to add that the government is focusing on mineral beneficiation, increasing local participation across the value chain, and strengthening broader citizen empowerment, APA News reports.
The panel also explored how critical minerals are now vital to the global energy transition, industrial expansion, and technological progress, with growing demand prompting countries to secure reliable supply chains.
Participants observed that geopolitical tensions have highlighted weaknesses in existing supply chains, pushing countries to diversify their sources and deepen regional partnerships.
Furthermore, Butale added that Botswana aims to move beyond being just a raw materials supplier, stressing that value addition is crucial for achieving long-term economic transformation.
He said the transition aims to boost domestic industries, generate skilled employment, and ensure that mineral revenues play a more direct role in national development.
Panellists also stressed the importance of transparent and sustainable mining practices, shared standards for extraction and trade, and greater investment in skills development to support the sector’s long-term growth.
They underscored that collaboration, rather than rivalry, will be essential to developing resilient mineral supply chains in an increasingly competitive global environment.
Botswana, already a major global diamond producer and an emerging player in other critical minerals, has in recent years stepped up efforts to secure a larger role in downstream activities such as mineral processing and marketing.
The government has positioned beneficiation as a key element of its industrialisation strategy and a means of lowering reliance on exporting raw commodities.