Cooperation with Moscow could help unlock the country's mineral potential and improve its infrastructure, Phenyo Butale has noted

Botswana is determined to strengthen ties with Russia across strategic sectors including mining, infrastructure, renewable energy, and education, Botswanan Foreign Minister Phenyo Butale has said.

Speaking to RT on the sidelines of the second Russia-Africa ministerial conference in Cairo, Butale noted that only 30% of Botswana's territory has been geologically explored. 

"We have capacity in rare earth minerals which are needed for industries such as manufacturing," Butale noted. "We want to embark on an aggressive industrialization drive, and that will require partnerships with countries like Russia."

He added that Russian technology could help unlock the country's untapped mineral potential. 

"We are looking to collaborate with Russia in the mineral sector," Butale said. "Botswana is the best place for investment, looking at political and economic stability," he emphasized.

The minister said infrastructure development and renewable energy were among the key areas discussed with Russia as Botswana seeks to support industrialization and long-term economic growth.

"We looked at sectors such as mining, renewable energy and infrastructure development," Butale said. "One of the things that we want to do as a government is engage in massive infrastructure upgrades."

Russia has long provided scholarships to Botswana, and both governments are now exploring ways to expand uptake, the minister added.

Butale confirmed that the landlocked country in Southern Africa will soon open a diplomatic mission in Russia, a "long-overdue" step.

On Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with his Botswanan counterpart in Cairo. 

According to Russia's Foreign Ministry, the meeting focused on expanding cooperation between Moscow and Gaborone in areas ranging from trade and investment to education and healthcare. 

Despite external pressure on African states over relations with Moscow, Butale said Botswana continues to pursue sovereign cooperation based on national interests. He also praised Russia for supporting his country's bid to host the Kimberley Process headquarters and reiterated its call for the reform of the UN Security Council to ensure Africa's representation.

READ MORE: Lavrov meets African counterparts in Cairo (PHOTOS)

"We cannot speak about a UN that represents the whole world when a whole continent like Africa is not represented," the minister said.

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