Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman begins a two-day state visit to Botswana today, in a move expected to deepen diplomatic relations and expand cooperation between the two countries across trade, investment, energy, mining, and other strategic sectors.
The Sultan will be in Botswana from September 16 to 17, following an invitation extended amid rapidly developing relations between the two nations. The visit comes less than a year after Botswana and Oman established formal diplomatic relations in October 2025.
The state visit is expected to provide a platform for President Duma Boko and Sultan Haitham to discuss opportunities for strengthening bilateral cooperation and translating recent diplomatic engagements into practical economic projects.
The two leaders are expected to hold official talks covering trade and investment, minerals and mining, energy, infrastructure and logistics, agriculture, tourism, and health.
A major focus will be on economic diversification. Timo Donald Ntabo, Executive Director for Export Development and Promotion at the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre, noted that the visit provides an opportunity to deepen economic relations with Oman while promoting diversification in sectors including agriculture, financial services, energy, and mining.
The relationship has already produced a significant renewable-energy project. In April, Botswana and Oman marked the groundbreaking of a 500-MW solar power plant at Mawana in the Maun area, which the Botswana government described as a testament to the two countries’ shared commitment to renewable energy.
The visit is also expected to advance cooperation in Botswana’s minerals sector. Sultan Haitham is scheduled to visit the Diamond Trading Centre Botswana in Gaborone, where he will learn more about the country’s diamond industry and explore prospects for cooperation in beneficiation and value addition.
Several bilateral agreements are expected to be signed during the visit. These include agreements covering general cooperation, political consultations, investment promotion, commerce and industry, air services, visa exemptions, health cooperation, and mining exploration.
The Omani delegation accompanying Sultan Haitham includes high-ranking officials such as Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al Said, Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, President of the Oman Investment Authority Abdulsalam bin Mohammed Al Murshidi, and Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion Anwar bin Hilal Al Jabri.
The visit follows President Boko’s working visit to Oman in April, during which the two countries advanced cooperation agreements and discussed investment opportunities. Omani officials have described the Sultan’s visit as an opportunity to move bilateral relations beyond their initial foundation toward broader economic and investment partnerships.
The Sultan is scheduled to proceed to Angola following his state visit to Botswana, with both visits intended to strengthen Oman’s relations and cooperation with the two African countries.
