Last updated in October 2009
Political relations
The good relations between Botswana and Germany are founded on mutual respect and amity. Federal President Köhler’s official visit to Botswana in April 2006 further strengthened the good relations.
Botswana’s former President Festus Mogae, who was in office until 31 March 2008, visited Germany several times.
Economic relations
Bilateral trade and German direct investment in Botswana are modest. Botswana obtains nearly 80 per cent of its imports from South Africa, including many products manufactured by German companies. Owing to the country’s relatively small market and the availability of reasonably priced imports from South Africa, foreign investors have shown little interest. Nevertheless, Botswana could also be of interest to German business and industry because of its domestic stability, its geographic location in southern Africa and its sound finances. In May 2000, Botswana and Germany signed an agreement on the reciprocal protection and promotion of investments, which came into force on 6 August 2007.
Development cooperation
Technical Cooperation was discontinued in 2004, Financial Cooperation having already been wound up in 1992.
The framework agreement of 1 December 1974 on the seconding of voluntary workers by the German Development Service (DED) continues in force. However, the further deployment of DED development helpers under the supplementary agreement of 4 March 2004 is being largely financed from Botswana’s state budget, Botswana now being classified as a “middle-income country”.
Development cooperation focuses on the following areas: education and training, HIV/AIDS prevention and environmental protection.
Cultural relations
Aside from educational activities as part of development cooperation, cultural relations between Germany and Botswana are minimal.
Germany enjoys an affirmative image in the Botswana media (one state-owned radio station and one state-owned daily newspaper; four independent weekly newspapers; one private television station and, since mid-2000, one state-owned television station).
