Case Study Botswana: a Diamond in the Rough
Botswana: A Diamond in the Rough
The Harvard Business School case study “Botswana: a diamond in the rough” deals with various reasons how Botswana became within 40 years the most successful economy in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The case study leads through Botswana’s history before the colonization by the British Empire until today, stating several factors which made Botswana more successful compared to it’s neighbour countries in Sub-Sahara Africa.
Within only 30 years a very rapid economical growth could be observed and in 2000 Botswana’s GDP growing rate reached a similar value as China.
The political situation is stable since Botswana’s independence in 1966 and their corruption is, especially compared to other African countries, very low. The unemployment rate until 2000 never felt under 2%, which is even compared with countries outside of Africa very rare. Asking myself if Botswana is a success, I can definitely answer yes. Even if the country still has to struggle with the second highest HIV infection rate in the world and it is still a challenge for the government to diversify the economy, in order to be less dependent on the fluctuating diamond industry, Botswana is called to be the “African Miracle”.
Taking into consideration that Botswana is a land-locked country and until 1968 there were no mentionable resources it seems quiet astonishing what they achieved in the short period of time since their independence.
According to the case study there are several factors that made Botswana as successful as it is today. First of all, the fundament of Botswana’s highly democratic political system can be found in Botswana’s history in the 18th century. The Tswana tribe had less monarchical structures than other African countries, issues of public interest were discussed and decided by an assembly and criticisms of the policies were allowed to be expressed in public.
Another reason for Botswana’s success today is, that even during the 80 years of British colony,
The Harvard Business School case study “Botswana: a diamond in the rough” deals with various reasons how Botswana became within 40 years the most successful economy in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The case study leads through Botswana’s history before the colonization by the British Empire until today, stating several factors which made Botswana more successful compared to it’s neighbour countries in Sub-Sahara Africa.
Within only 30 years a very rapid economical growth could be observed and in 2000 Botswana’s GDP growing rate reached a similar value as China.
The political situation is stable since Botswana’s independence in 1966 and their corruption is, especially compared to other African countries, very low. The unemployment rate until 2000 never felt under 2%, which is even compared with countries outside of Africa very rare. Asking myself if Botswana is a success, I can definitely answer yes. Even if the country still has to struggle with the second highest HIV infection rate in the world and it is still a challenge for the government to diversify the economy, in order to be less dependent on the fluctuating diamond industry, Botswana is called to be the “African Miracle”.
Taking into consideration that Botswana is a land-locked country and until 1968 there were no mentionable resources it seems quiet astonishing what they achieved in the short period of time since their independence.
According to the case study there are several factors that made Botswana as successful as it is today. First of all, the fundament of Botswana’s highly democratic political system can be found in Botswana’s history in the 18th century. The Tswana tribe had less monarchical structures than other African countries, issues of public interest were discussed and decided by an assembly and criticisms of the policies were allowed to be expressed in public.
Another reason for Botswana’s success today is, that even during the 80 years of British colony,