17 September 2026
His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman has arrived in Botswana on his first-ever State Visit. He held official talks with President Duma Boko at the Office of the President.
President Boko welcomed the Sultan, describing Oman as a “true, reliable and committed” friend of Botswana. He noted that it had taken 10 months since talks began for something concrete to materialise.
The Sultan said he was impressed by President Boko’s passion to serve his country and assured him of his full support. He said the projects already under way were just the beginning, adding that Oman’s work culture is defined by efficiency, and that this is the standard he wished for Botswana-Oman relations.
On Wednesday night, President Boko hosted a State Banquet in honour of the Sultan, ahead of this morning’s signing ceremony for the agreements. While in Botswana, the Sultan is also expected to tour the Diamond Trading Centre Botswana. The Sultan’s two-day State Visit follows the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in October 2025 and President Boko’s working visit to Oman in April 2026. It is expected to further consolidate “warm and growing relations” and establish a stronger foundation for long-term political, economic and people-to-people cooperation.
Botswana and Oman united by purpose
Botswana and Oman may be separated by distance, but they are united by purpose. This was said by President Duma Boko at the State Banquet hosted in honour of His Majesty Haitham bin Tarik, Sultan of the Sultanate of Oman, last night.
President Boko highlighted that, despite the newly established formal diplomatic relations, he is confident that His Majesty’s State Visit will broaden the scope for co-operation and create new avenues in various sectors.
He noted that the active high-level engagements between Botswana and Oman during his working visits to Muscat last year and earlier this year produced fruitful outcomes and identified clear areas of co-operation in mining, financial services, renewable energy, agriculture, trade and investment, and technical development and innovation.
For his part, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik said that they had come with a genuine desire to get to know Botswana and its people closely, and to build a relationship that brings the two nations and peoples closer together. He emphasised that among the values both countries share are peace and stability, a belief in dialogue and mutual respect, and recognition of the importance of pursuing development in a manner that creates opportunity and prosperity for the future.
Botswana and Oman sign sweeping deals to deepen ties
Botswana and Oman have signed a series of bilateral agreements to deepen their fast-growing relationship, covering investment, trade, aviation, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and political cooperation. The deals were concluded during the historic two-day state visit by Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. They aim to move relations beyond diplomatic engagement and create practical investment and commercial opportunities.
The instruments include a Memorandum of Agreement on General Cooperation and a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations, establishing mechanisms for continued government engagement.
The two countries also agreed to scrap visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and special passports and signed an air services agreement to pave the way for closer aviation links.
Economic pacts cover investment promotion and commerce, industry and investment promotion. Business Botswana and the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed an MoU to help businesses in both countries identify trade, investment and commercial partnerships.
In health, the two countries signed a memorandum establishing a Botswana-Oman Medicines Security, Regulatory Cooperation, Pharmaceutical Supply and Investment Partnership.
Botswana seeks to strengthen its medicines supply chain, create pharmaceutical investment opportunities and improve security of essential medical supplies.
International Relations Minister Dr Phenyo Butale said the government would ensure the agreements are implemented. Botswana has committed to opening a diplomatic mission in Oman, strengthening the institutional foundation for the expanding relationship.
Source: BWgovernment
