21 April 2025
Few predicted the seismic election upset that made Duma Boko President of Botswana. Last October, the 55-year-old Harvard-trained lawyer ousted the party that had ruled the nation of 2.5 million people since its independence from Britain nearly 59 years ago.
But in hindsight, the outcome seems almost inevitable. In a democratic, stable country with vast diamond reserves and the world’s largest population of elephants, voters were increasingly frustrated over political corruption, and the huge influence of multinational giant De Beers, whose diamond trading accounts for more than 80% of Botswana’s foreign exports. World diamond prices have been plummeting, as lower-cost lab-grown stones flooded the market.
Despite his impressive victory at the polls, Boko has no easy way to reverse the decline and fulfil his campaign promises, which include doubling the minimum wage, expanding social benefits for new mothers and seniors, and creating thousands of new jobs. He says he is eyeing cannabis and solar-power industries as two paths to better times. Whatever the recourse, he told the country bluntly:
“We can no longer afford to depend on a single commodity.” Even in Botswana, diamonds might not be forever.
Boko is the first Motswana to appear on the Time’s 100 Most Influential People List. His Minerals and Energy Minister, Bogolo Kenewendo, was named on Time’s 100 Next List in 2022. The 100 Next List recognises 100 rising stars from across industries and around the world.
TIME will convene the 2025 TIME100 list of the world’s most influential people in New York City at the TIME100 Summit on April 23 and the TIME100 Gala on April 24, which will air as a primetime television special on May 4 on ABC.
The 19th annual TIME100 Gala will be hosted by artist and entrepreneur Snoop Dogg, and feature performances by singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran and singer-songwriter Myles Smith. The event will also feature the presentation of a TIME Impact Award to Olympic gymnast and advocate Simone Biles, as well as special remarks from members of this year’s list including actor Blake Lively, former tennis player and entrepreneur Serena Williams, actor Kristen Bell, and CEO of CAMFED Angelina Murimirwa, as well as TIME CEO Jessica Sibley and Editor in Chief Sam Jacobs, and more.
About TIME
TIME is the 102-year-old global media brand that reaches a combined audience of over 120 million around the world through its iconic magazine and digital platforms. With unparalleled access to the world’s most influential people, the trust of consumers and partners globally, and an unrivalled power to convene, TIME’s mission is to tell the essential stories of the people and ideas that shape and improve the world.
Today, TIME also includes the Emmy Award®-winning film and television division TIME Studios; a significantly expanded live events business built on the powerful TIME100 and Person of the Year franchises and custom experiences; TIME for Kids, which provides trusted news with a focus on news literacy for kids and valuable resources for teachers and families; the award-winning branded content studio Red Border Studios; the sustainability and climate action division TIME CO2 and more.
*See the full 2025 TIME100 list, tributes, videos and photos: time.com/time100
See all five TIME100 covers: here
Read the 2025 TIME100 editor’s letter: here
