Africa-Press – Botswana. Vice President and Minister of Finance, Mr Ndaba Gaolathe has outlined a transformative vision for Africa , that emphasises unity in an era marked by global fragmentation.
Addressing the 54th St. Gallen Symposium in Switzerland on Wednesday,Mr Gaolathe asserted that while the world might be drifting apart, Africa was choosing to collaborate through the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). “This is a bold declaration of belief that Africa’s destiny rests in integration, innovation and collaboration,” he stated.
Talking about Africa’s rich heritage, Mr Gaolathe highlighted the continent as a historical hub of commerce, not just in goods but in ideas, values, and ingenuity.
“Not enough is said about what should be a proud African history,” he rsaid. He cited the Monomotapa civilisation in Southern Africa, which thrived through a dynamic society rooted in commerce and intellectual achievement, saying that these exchanges were expressions of a people asserting their own agency.
With AfCFTA, Mr Gaolathe emphasised that Africa was not reinventing itself but rather recalling its identity and envisioning its potential:
“We are not just market builders; we are bridge builders.” He praised Africa’s innovative growth through hubs, fintech ecosystems, and a new generation of entrepreneurs redefining the continent’s role in the global economy.
He said Africa was a stepping into its role not just as a participant but as a co-author of global solutions,” he said, stressing the need for trade to be a tool of justice, governed by fairness and inclusivity to restore balance.
Mr Gaolathe mentioned that Africa holds over 30 per cent of the world’s critical minerals, such as lithium and cobalt, essential for the energy transition, but lamented the continent’s tendency to export raw materials while importing pollution and lost opportunities.
He called for a transformation from mere extraction to value creation at home.
“Botswana steps forth with resolve, translating Africa’s grand vision into tangible transformation,” he said, highlighting the nation’s legacy of stability and stewardship.
The vice president acknowledged the limits of Botswana’s mineral-led economic model, asserting the need for a new economic structure that was knowledge-based and globally integrated.
“Botswana is reimagining itself not as a landlocked state but as a land-linked catalyst,” he said. The Vice President envisioned a future in which key Southern African cities were interconnected through efficient transport and data corridors, turning borders into bridges. To position Botswana as a leader in solar energy generation, the government was expanding solar infrastructure with significant projects underway, including the Mmadinare and Jwaneng Solar Power Stations.
Furthermore, Mr Gaolathe emphasised the country’s commitment to becoming Africa’s premier financial gateway, positioning its International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) as a conduit for capital flows within the continent. He remarked on the shifting dynamics of global order and the rising tide of nationalist sentiment. “The pillars of multilateral cooperation are under strain,” he noted. Mr Gaolathe also celebrated Botswana’s successful public-private partnership with the De Beers Group, which has driven national progress over five decades through transparency and investment in infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
“Botswana is open for business, ready to co-create, and poised to deliver enduring value for generations to come,” he concluded, positioning sectors such as agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, and mineral beneficiation as engines of inclusive growth and innovation.
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