Botswana: The President of Botswana, Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, has applauded the Botswana AFCON 2027 bid committee for a sterling job in preparing the country’s bid. He also seized the opportunity to congratulate Kenya for winning the bid. Kenya has partnered with Uganda and Tanzania in hosting the continental tournament.
The President spoke during a media briefing on his recent international official engagements. He said that the international trips are meant to forge partnerships and collaborations for different sectors of the economy, which will yield tangible benefits for Botswana.
President Masisi said that his visit to Australia was to participate in the Africa Down Under conference and learn about good cattle breeds to improve Botswana breeds.
He also visited the Bahamas for a three-day State Visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Phillip Davis, adding that the two countries established diplomatic relations in May 2006. He said that the Bahamas’ economic activity is centred on tourism, which accounts for approximately 70 percent of the GDP.
The President and his delegation then proceeded to Germany to attend the Bits & Pretzels conference. He informed members of the fourth estate that Botswana was invited due to its rapid rise in innovation. The delegation then attended the G77+ China Summit in Cuba and visited the park where statues of heroes are immortalized.
The President then attended and addressed the United Nations 78th General Assembly in New York, where he met with civil society dealing with environment conservation, among them the International Conservation Caucus Foundation, which has been assisting in Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) matters.
President Masisi also announced that Botswana will host the Kusi Idea Festival in Gaborone from the 6th-9th December 2023, in collaboration with the Nation Media Group of Kenya. Kusi is an annual festival which celebrates ideas and solutions brought up by Africans.