A group of Botswana's emerging parliamentary leaders recently completed a visit to the United States as part of the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). The project, titled “Promoting Economic Growth: Diversification and Public-Private Partnerships,” aimed to provide insights into how U.S. institutions foster economic development through legislation, governance, and cooperation between public and private sectors.
The delegation traveled through Washington, D.C.; Columbia, South Carolina; and Boston, Massachusetts. Their objective was to engage with American counterparts and explore opportunities for building partnerships between the United States and Botswana.
U.S. Ambassador to Botswana Howard A. Van Vranken commented on the delegation's potential impact: “This delegation represents the best of Botswana’s future — patriotic leaders who are curious, pragmatic, and determined to drive meaningful change,” he said. He expressed confidence that they returned with "practical tools and new partnerships" that would support Botswana's economic diversification efforts.
In Washington, D.C., the delegates met with officials from the U.S. Department of State and Members of Congress, including Senator Ted Cruz and staff for Senator Tim Scott. Discussions focused on U.S.-Africa relations, regional trade, and economic policy. The Brookings Institution provided insights into bilateral relations between the U.S. and Botswana.
The program continued in Columbia, South Carolina, where local government initiatives were highlighted as catalysts for economic transformation. Meetings included sessions with the Central SC Alliance and South Carolina’s Department of Commerce.
Boston marked the final stop where innovation in energy was discussed at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. Sessions also covered financial integrity models at the Massachusetts Comptroller’s Office.
The IVLP initiative is designed to strengthen democratic institutions while promoting private enterprise collaboration between both nations. It allowed participants from both countries to exchange views on various topics such as trade policy and technological innovation.
The program was funded by the U.S. Department of State along with support from U.S. Embassy Gaborone.