Lucara Botswana Managing Director, Naseem Lahri, has challenged Botswana to move beyond policy discussions and accelerate the implementation of economic development initiatives.
She warned that the country continues to struggle with execution despite having the skills, resources and policies required for transformation.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the Botswana Investment Forum 2026, Lahri cited Rwanda as an example, noting that although the country previously came to Botswana to benchmark, it has since moved ahead because of its ability to implement ideas.
She stressed the need to reduce bureaucratic hurdles, improve accountability and create an investment-friendly environment that facilitates faster project execution.
On the diamond industry, Lahri called for a strategic shift from selling diamonds as commodities to positioning Botswana’s diamonds as luxury brands, arguing that stronger branding and targeting high-net-worth consumers could unlock greater value for the country.
She maintained that Botswana has the talent, institutional capacity and industry expertise to diversify its economy but must now translate these advantages into tangible results
