Africa-Press – Botswana. President Duma Gideon Boko has underscored aviation as a central pillar in Botswana’s economic transformation. Speaking at the Aviation Pitso 2025 conference at Maun Lodge, he stressed that a strong air transport sector is vital for tourism, trade, and regional integration.
“Aviation is not just about planes, it’s about competitiveness, opportunity, and delivery. Our skies must open up to better connect Botswana with the region and the world,” President Boko said.
The conference, themed “Unlocking Botswana’s Air Transport Potential: Enhancing Connectivity, Competitiveness and Compliance,” brought together government leaders, aviation experts, airline executives, and tourism stakeholders. The agenda focused on expanding connectivity, improving compliance with international standards, and enhancing competitiveness in the sector.
The government has allocated P351 million in the 2025/26 National Budget to aviation infrastructure. Priority projects include upgrading Maun, Kasane, and PG Matante airports, which serve as gateways for tourism and regional travel, strengthening safety systems in line with global best practices, and modernizing information technology infrastructure to improve operational efficiency. These investments are expected to increase tourist arrivals, support trade expansion, and boost investor confidence in Botswana’s transport and logistics capacity.
President Boko also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reviving Air Botswana. He outlined a turnaround strategy centered on fleet rationalization to reduce costs and improve efficiency, increased investment in maintenance to ensure safety and reliability, and forming strategic partnerships to expand routes and enhance competitiveness. “Air Botswana must once again become a symbol of national pride and reliability,” he said, adding that the airline should operate on sound business principles while serving the country’s broader development goals.
President Boko emphasized that aviation is not a secondary issue but a cornerstone of Botswana’s growth agenda. “If we get aviation right, we will get tourism right, trade right, and jobs right. Aviation is not a side issue, it is the heartbeat of our future economy,” he said. The Aviation Pitso 2025 conference concluded with a shared vision to position Botswana as a competitive air transport hub in Southern Africa. With strong political commitment, new investment, and industry-wide collaboration, aviation is set to play a defining role in shaping Botswana’s economic future.
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