President Duma Gideon Boko has appointed a Chinese national, Zhongwen Hu, as his Special Representative and Economic and Trade Advisor for China and the wider Asian region, in a move seen as part of efforts to revitalise Botswana’s faltering economy and attract foreign investment.

According to an official appointment letter dated 6th October 2025, issued by the Office of the President, Hu’s role will focus on strengthening Botswana’s economic relations with sovereign wealth funds, state-owned enterprises, and leading private sector players across Asia, particularly China.

The appointment, the letter stated, is “in alignment with the nation’s long-term economic vision and international cooperation strategy” and is intended to “advance cooperation in priority sectors, including infrastructure, mining, energy, tourism, agribusiness, logistics and other areas consistent with Vision 2036 and the country’s National Development Plan.”

Hu, who has extensive experience in trade facilitation and investment promotion across Asia, will operate in a non-executive, non-political, and non-diplomatic capacity, reporting directly to the President. His advisory role is expected to complement the work of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Botswana’s diplomatic missions in the region.

Hu’s role will focus on strengthening Botswana’s economic relations with sovereign wealth funds, state-owned enterprises, and leading private sector players across Asia, particularly China.

The move comes amid a period of economic strain for Botswana, which has faced sluggish growth, high youth unemployment, and widening fiscal deficits since 2024. Observers say the appointment underscores the government’s shift toward deepening ties with Asia, particularly China — Botswana’s largest trading partner outside the Southern African region — as it seeks new investment sources to fund major infrastructure and industrial projects.

President Boko, who took office in 2024 on a platform promising economic renewal and diversification, expressed “full confidence” in Hu’s capacity to help unlock strategic alliances and attract investment into the country.

“The Special Representative will play a key role in identifying and facilitating mutually beneficial economic initiatives that can accelerate Botswana’s transformation and strengthen its global competitiveness,” the statement read.

Economists, however, note that while the appointment reflects proactive diplomacy, it also highlights the growing pressure on the Boko administration to secure alternative financing amid fiscal constraints and declining mineral revenues. Botswana’s public debt has risen in recent months, and key projects in energy and transport have been delayed due to funding shortfalls.

Political analysts say the engagement with China could provide much-needed relief but warn of potential overreliance on Beijing at a time when African nations are increasingly scrutinising Chinese lending practices.

Still, the Office of the President maintains that the appointment is a pragmatic step toward expanding Botswana’s economic frontiers.

“Hu’s role is not diplomatic but advisory,” the statement emphasised. “He will serve as a conduit for unlocking strategic alliances, trade facilitation, and inward investment from the Asian region.