At the invitation of Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, President of the Republic of Botswana, His Majesty Haitham Bin Tarik, Sultan of the Sultanate of Oman undertook a State Visit to the Republic of Botswana from September 16 to 17, 2026.

The State Visit marked an important milestone in the relations between Botswana and Oman and reaffirmed the bonds of friendship, mutual respect, and cooperation existing between the two countries.

During the State Visit, His Majesty and President Boko held official talks in a warm and cordial atmosphere. His Majesty expressed appreciation to the Government and people of  Botswana for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation.

His Majesty congratulated President Boko, the Government and the people of Botswana on the occasion of the country’s 60th anniversary of independence. His Majesty expressed admiration for Botswana’s enduring commitment to democracy and the rule of law, which have provided a strong foundation for the country’s stability, socio-economic development, and prosperity.

The two Heads of State reaffirmed the fraternal relations and excellent bonds of friendship between Botswana and Oman. They further reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening political, economic, and cultural cooperation between the two countries. To this end, the two Leaders agreed to deepen and expand bilateral cooperation by leveraging their comparative and competitive advantages in areas of mutual interest, including food security and agriculture, oil and energy, financial services, mining and minerals, health, tourism, transport and logistics, education and skills development, and trade and investment.

On diplomatic and political cooperation, the two Leaders welcomed the establishment of diplomatic relations between Botswana and Oman on October 14, 2025, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the relations between the two countries. The establishment of relations immediately culminated in high-level visits to Oman by the President of Botswana, Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, in October 2025 and April 2026. The two Leaders underscored the importance of maintaining regular political consultations and high-level exchanges as a means of advancing implementation of agreed areas of cooperation.

The two Leaders exchanged views on regional and international developments, including developments in Africa, the Middle East and other areas of common interest. They emphasised the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, mediation and a rules-based international order. In this context, they reaffirmed their commitment to working together within the United Nations and other multilateral forums to support efforts aimed at promoting international peace, security, and sustainable development. President Boko expressed his appreciation to His Majesty for his unwavering efforts in support of mediation and peaceful resolutions to conflicts in the region.

With a view to supporting trade and tourism relations and enhancing people-to-people contacts and exchanges, the two Leaders commended the decision to grant nationals of both countries visa-free entry for short visits.

His Majesty welcomed the opportunity to undertake a tour of the Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB) to appreciate first-hand Botswana’s diamond industry. The two Leaders agreed to encourage greater engagement between relevant institutions and private-sector stakeholders to identify mutually beneficial opportunities in mineral beneficiation, value addition, technology, investment, and skills development.

The two Heads of State welcomed the signing of nine bilateral agreements and instruments, namely:

• Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations
• Memorandum of Agreement on General Cooperation
• Memorandum of Understanding on Investment Promotion
• Memorandum of Agreement on Air Services Agreement (BASA)
• Memorandum of Agreement on Abolition of Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic, Special and Official Passports
• Memorandum of Understanding between the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Business Botswana
• Co-Development Agreement – Heads of Terms, for the co-development of copper and gold mining opportunities in Botswana
• Memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation in energy security, sustainable energy development and regional energy integration
• Memorandum of understanding on the establishment of a Botswana-Oman Medicines Security, regulatory cooperation, pharmaceutical supply and investment Partnership

The Leaders expressed the expectation that the implementation of the signed instruments would provide an enhanced legal and institutional framework for expanding practical cooperation and tangible benefits for both countries. They directed their respective Ministries and institutions to maintain close coordination and to develop mechanisms for tracking progress, addressing challenges, and advancing implementation of agreed areas of cooperation in a timely manner.

Bilateral talks were conducted in a frank and cordial manner, which is characteristic of the warm and friendly relations between the two countries.

His Majesty conveyed an invitation to the President Boko, to undertake a State Visit to Oman at a date to be mutually agreed through diplomatic channels. The invitation was accepted with appreciation and a shared determination to elevate Botswana-Oman relations to a strategic and mutually beneficial cooperation.