Botswana : 2015 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Botswana

Botswana's diamond endowment and its track record of good macroeconomic policy management and political stability contributed to high average economic growth and strong fiscal and balance of payments positions in recent years. Beyond these achievements, the authorities see a need to reduce unemployment, eliminate water and electricity shortages, and improve the efficiency of government operations. In addition, given the limits of the diamond and public sector-based growth model (diamond reserves could be exhausted by 2050 and inefficiencies in the public sector), a wave of reforms is called for to foster the development of the private sector, diversify the economy, and improve the skills of the labor force.