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The world will have to listen to Africa

Waihiga Mwaura speaks to Botswana鈥檚 President Duma Boko about his plans to reinvigorate the economy, taking greater control of the country鈥檚 diamond reserves, but also diversifying its mining and other sectors. Currently facing hefty tariffs from the US, he claims to be close to securing a tariff-free deal for Botswana鈥檚 diamonds at least.

But President Boko also has a vision of a reinvigorated Africa, a continent that works together to become a formidable economic force, where its own people reap the benefits of its rich resources. Africa, he says, is rising.

Duma Boko, a human rights lawyer who was educated at Harvard, helped to create the party he leads, the Umbrella for Democratic Change. His victory in the 2024 presidential election, at his third attempt, finally ousted the Botswana Democratic Party from power after almost 60 years.

Thank you to Waihiga Mwaura, Kasra Karimi and Priscilla Ng鈥檈the Koinange for their help in making this programme.

The Interview brings you conversations with people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews from the 麻豆社. You can listen on the 麻豆社 World Service, Mondays and Wednesdays at 0700 GMT. Or you can listen to The Interview as a podcast, out twice a week on 麻豆社 Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts.

Presenter: Waihiga Mwaura
Producer(s): Lucy Sheppard, Kasra Karimi and Priscilla Ng鈥檈the Koinange
Editor: Justine Lang

Get in touch with us on email TheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterview麻豆社 on social media.

(Image: Botswana's President Duma Gideon Boko addresses the 80th United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S, Credit:
Eduardo Mu帽oz/Reuters)