The similarities of these two neighboring countries cannot be exaggerated,
their geographical proximity plays major role on their Geo-political issues. Being, developing
economy countries, landlocked, and having their economies depending mainly on one product; copper
for Zambia, and diamonds for Botswana; are mutual challenges that these countries have to endure.
Despite these two countries seemingly insignificant difference, In today s video we
are going to dive deep into these countries latest economic indicators, to determine
which country will stands out; exploring there unique features, as well as showcasing amazing
progression of these countries in the year 2021. Hello and welcome, if you are thinking of visiting
one of these countries, you might have hard time choosing between the two, but your choice will
mainly depend on what you consider a perfect tourism experience. These countries are both
welcoming and generally safe for travelers, Tourism is an important sector to both of them,
and fauna are incredibly protected and have outstanding wildlife and national parks.
Zambia will definitely astonish you with its untampered, amazing beauty of mother nature,
unique landscapes that will leave a traveler with unforgettable tourist experience.
Botswana is possibly the best self-drive safari, for its decent connecting roads,
plentiful wildlife, plenty of campsites, and an effective bureaucracy that makes
camp and national park bookings pretty simple. The recent construction of Kazungula Bridge
brought these countries even closer, as well as improving the relationship between the two.
Kazungula Bridge was finished and commissioned few months ago, to replace the then ferry and border
facilities system. The project comprises the construction of a road and rail tolled bridge,
with a span of nine hundred and twenty three meters across Zambezi River;
which run between these two countries. This project was constructed by both governments
of these countries, not only to improve the friendship between this sisters countries,
but also to easy trade in African countries, by allowing free flow of goods from Cape to Cairo;
through these lovely countries. Economically, Zambia has GDP of
23.31 billion dollars, relatively higher than 18.34 billion dollars of Botswana.
However, population make a big difference, giving Botswana upper hand when it comes to GDP
per capita. In 2019, Zambia was having a GDP per capita of US$1,305, while Botswana had a handsome
GDP per capita of US$7,961. GDP per capita has a lot of say on the quality of life of the country,
because it narrates the monetary value of total product and services, produced
within that country, that can be available for each person in that particular country.
Within five decades, Botswana has transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the
world, into a today upper middle-income country. Botswana also ranks as one of the least corrupt,
and best places to do business in Sub-Saharan Africa. Diamond mining fuelled much of
Botswana s past economic expansion and currently accounts for one-quarter of GDP,
approximately 85% of export earnings, and about one-third of the government's revenues.
On the other hand, Zambia had one of the world s fastest growing economies for the ten years
up to 2014, with real GDP growth averaging roughly 6.7% per annum. However, the growth
slowed down during the period 2015 to 2017, due to falling copper prices, reduced power generation,
and depreciation of the Zambian kwacha currency. Zambia s lack of economic diversification, and
extreme dependency on copper, makes it vulnerable to fluctuations in the world commodities market.
Governmental expenditure In 2019, Zambia had a national
debt of 22.02 billion US$, which translate to 94.5% of the country GDP. Spending 1.23
billion on education, 446.9 million dollars on health, while 282.3 million goes to defence.
In the other hand, Botswana had a national debt of 3.3 billion dollars, which makes up 19.98%
of Botswana Gross Domestic Product. In 2020, Botswana spent 989.5 million dollars on education,
806.8 million dollars on health, and 508 million dollars on national defence budget.
Socio-demography
Both of this countries enjoyed lengthily and uninterrupted peace since their independence.
the peace status in these countries was supported by Global Peace Index ranking 2020,
with Botswana being at second peaceful country in Africa, and Zambia took the fourth position.
In terms of corruption, The 2019 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index,
gave Botswana a corruption perceptions index of 61, where 100 is the most clean country,
and 0 is the most corrupt. Botswana was the 34th lowest out of 180 countries, giving Botswana again
second position out of 54 African countries, immediately after Seychelles. Meanwhile,
Zambia was given a considerable spot of 15th least corrupt countries in Africa.
Upcoming and ongoing projects Zambia: Kalulushi Smart City
Kalulushi Smart City Project was conceived in 2019, and it is set to cost approximately USD 550
million. The project consists of construction of a shopping mall, hospital, hotel, office block,
golf course, filling station, and about 200 residential houses among others.
Zambia: Simon Mwansa and Kenneth Kaunda International Airports
The country has recently commissioned two state-of-the-art international airports.
The Simon Mwansa International Airport in Ndola city, is said to be built at a tune of $400
million, has a capacity of 1 million passengers per year, and has a 50-room luxury hotel.
At Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, in the capital Lusaka, new modern terminal was
built at a cost of $360 million. This project is expected to increase the number of passengers from
the current two million, to four million per year. The project also involves a hotel, cargo terminal,
air traffic control building, fire station, as well as a shopping mall.
This facility will boost tourism of the country as well as other commercial complex.
Zambia: Kafue Gorge Hydropower Station The construction of Kafue Gorge Lower
Hydropower Station is in progress in the southern district, in Chikankata.
Once completed, the project will add 750 megawatts of electricity to the country's power grid, hence
reducing frequent power shortages, and make the country an exporter of electricity in the region.
Botswana: Botswana Innovation Hub, Science and Technology Park
The Botswana Innovation Hub, Science and Technology Park, is a home of innovation.
This 57 hectare, state-of-the-art facility is the first Technology Park in the country. It will
work to create an environment that supports start-ups and existing local companies, and
attract international companies and institutions, as well as to develop and grow competitive
technology driven and knowledge-based businesses. The construction started in August 2014, and it
will include offices, industrial units and hotels, expected to be finished sometimes this year; 2021.
Botswana: 5000 kilowatts photovoltaic power station
Botswana and Namibia are set to commence an ambitious plan to build a biggest solar
power plant in the world. This 5 gigawatts photovoltaic power station, it is planned to be
built between these countries, to take advantage of their mostly hot and sunny flat landscapes.
The proceed of this power station will go a long way in curbing electricity problems in
these countries. Namibia currently imports over 60% of its electricity to meet the
shortfall in domestic generation. While Botswana s electricity sector is dependent on large scale
thermal coal power plants, utilizing domestic coal from reserves estimated at 200 billion tonnes.
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