This is a list of international presidential trips made by Mokgweetsi Masisi, the fifth President of Botswana, who served from 1 April 2018 to 1 November 2024.

Background

Masisi's international travel as president received considerable coverage in the Botswana press, particularly because of the frequency and cost of his overseas trips. In August 2022, Botswana Gazette reported that Masisi had undertaken 60 international trips since assuming office in 2018, costing more than P18 million. The newspaper also reported criticism of the trips and the government's position that they were intended to advance Botswana's foreign policy and attract investment.

Masisi's frequent foreign travel was subsequently the subject of further reporting and political debate. Mmegi reported in September 2023 that Masisi had faced criticism over his overseas travel following visits to Australia, the Bahamas, Cuba, Germany and the United States. Masisi defended the trips, arguing that they helped promote Botswana internationally and produce economic benefits. Mmegi also reported in August 2023 on the political debate surrounding Masisi's frequent foreign trips and the government's argument that his international engagements advanced Botswana's foreign policy.

The subject continued to attract coverage after Masisi left office. In November 2024, Mmegi described his presidency as having involved extensive foreign travel and noted the criticism surrounding the cost of his overseas trips.

His visits to the United States also received coverage outside Botswana. In March 2023, Cardinal News reported on Masisi's repeated visits to American universities, noting visits to Florida State University in 2018, Stanford and Yale in 2019, Rutgers in 2022, Texas A&M in 2022 and Virginia Tech in 2023, which were used to promote educational, technological and economic cooperation between Botswana and the United States.

List

2018 CountryAreas visitedDate(s)NotesWindhoek9 AprilState visit to meet President Hage Geingob, strengthen bilateral relations and discuss cooperation including the Trans-Kalahari Corridor. This was Masisi's first foreign trip after his inauguration as president.Maputo16 AprilWorking visit to meet President Filipe Nyusi and strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation between Botswana and Mozambique.Harare12 AugustAttended the inauguration of President Emmerson Mnangagwa following the 2018 Zimbabwean general election.Tallahassee, Orlando, Houston, New York City and Washington, D.C.17–28 SeptemberWorking visit to several U.S. cities followed by participation in the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly. Masisi also attended the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit, addressed the Council on Foreign Relations and participated in conservation and business events.Maputo31 October – 2 NovemberWorking visit focused on bilateral relations and regional issues.

2019 CountryAreas visitedDate(s)NotesMaputo10–16 JanuaryOfficial visit to Mozambique focused on bilateral cooperation and regional issues.Davos20–26 JanuaryAttended the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos and held meetings with international political and business leaders.Las Vegas28 May – 7 JuneAttended the JCK Las Vegas jewellery show and officially opened the event, promoting Botswana's diamond industry.Maputo18 JuneWorking visit to Mozambique to strengthen bilateral relations and discuss matters of mutual interest.Pretoria4–6 SeptemberWorking visit to South Africa focused on bilateral relations and cooperation between Botswana and South Africa.

2020 CountryAreas visitedDate(s)NotesDavos20–24 JanuaryAttended the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos.

2021 CountryAreas visitedDate(s)NotesLilongwe6 MarchVisited Malawi for a bilateral engagement with President Lazarus Chakwera.Lusaka31 MarchWorking visit to Zambia as part of a regional tour.Harare31 MarchWorking visit to Zimbabwe as part of a regional tour.Mbabane8 AprilWorking visit to Eswatini as part of a regional tour.Maputo8 AprilWorking visit to Mozambique as part of a regional tour.Luanda30 MayOfficial visit to Angola to strengthen bilateral relations and discuss areas of cooperation.

2022 CountryAreas visitedDate(s)NotesDubai11 MarchVisited the United Arab Emirates for diplomatic and economic engagements.Davos22–26 MayAttended the World Economic Forum in Davos and participated in investment and economic diplomacy engagements.Stockholm2–3 JuneWorking visit focused on investment and bilateral cooperation.Kigali23–25 JuneAttended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2022 and related Commonwealth engagements.Vienna26–28 JuneWorking visit following the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.Brussels29 JuneWorking visit following engagements in Rwanda and Austria.New York City11–24 SeptemberAttended the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly and participated in high-level meetings and events.Washington, D.C. and New York City5–19 DecemberOfficial visit to the United States for diplomatic, economic and international engagements.

2023 CountryAreas visitedDate(s)NotesGeneva29 April – 3 MayParticipated in meetings of the World Trade Organization and related economic and trade engagements.Perth3–9 SeptemberOfficial visit focused on investment, mining, education and strengthening Botswana–Australia relations. Masisi participated in the Botswana-Australia Business Forum in Perth.Nassau12–15 SeptemberOfficial visit to The Bahamas focused on bilateral relations and cooperation.New York City19–23 SeptemberAttended the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly and participated in related high-level meetings.Dubai30 November – 5 DecemberAttended international engagements in the United Arab Emirates and participated in meetings promoting Botswana's economic and investment interests.Washington, D.C.11–18 DecemberOfficial visit to the United States for bilateral and economic engagements.

2024 CountryAreas visitedDate(s)NotesLusaka26–27 MarchWorking visit to Zambia focused on bilateral relations and regional cooperation.Washington, D.C. and New York City28 April – 13 MayOfficial visit to the United States for bilateral, economic and international engagements.Paris18–20 JuneOfficial visit to France focused on bilateral relations, economic cooperation and international affairs.Berlin21–22 JuneOfficial visit following his visit to France, focused on bilateral and economic cooperation.Maputo10–12 JulyOfficial visit to Mozambique focused on bilateral relations and cooperation.Windhoek and Swakopmund2–5 JulyOfficial visit to Namibia focused on bilateral relations, economic cooperation and the Trans-Kalahari Railway project.Kigali11 AugustAttended the inauguration ceremony of President Paul Kagame for his fourth term in office.New York City21–25 SeptemberAttended the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

See also

Foreign relations of Botswana List of international presidential trips made by Duma Boko, his successor

References