Botswana

Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. Four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most dynamic economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.

Economical characteristics

 * Currency: Pula (ISO code: BWP)
 * Central bank discount rate: 15% (31 December 2008)
 * Commercial banks lending rate: 16.54% (31 December 2008)
 * Stock of money (M1): $1.008 billion (31 December 2008)
 * Quasi money (with M1 makes M2): $4.183 billion (31 December 2008)

Notable events:

 * Banking crisis: 1994-1995

Links

 * Botswana on Wikipedia
 * Central bank of Botswana
 * Country profile (pdf) from the Enterprise Studies page (part of the The World Bank Group)
 * BBC country profile
 * The eternal mystery of African poverty by David Veksler, December 2010
 * Lessons From Botswana: Africa’s Economic Dynamo by Scott A. Beaulier, December 2005