The Ibrahim Prize Laureates

Festus Gontebanye Mogae

Overview

Festus Gontebanye Mogae served as the third President of Botswana between 1998 and 2008. He first became President in April 1998 as the leader of the Botswana Democratic Party and won a second term in 2004.

Festus Gontebanye Mogae

At his inauguration ceremony in 1998, President Mogae vowed to address poverty and unemployment. His time in office was characterised by programmes to develop education and health infrastructure, and to privatise parts of the economy, notably the airlines and telecommunications industry.

Under President Mogae's stewardship of the economy and careful management of the country's mineral resources, Botswana experienced the steady economic growth that has characterised its post-independence history. Having been one of the poorest African countries at the time of independence, President Mogae consolidated Botswana's place as one of the most prosperous countries on the continent.

After decades of enforcing strict anti-corruption measures, Botswana is regularly ranked as one of the least corrupt countries in Africa. Describing the principles that guided his time in office in his final State of the Nation address, President Mogae said that "prudent, transparent and honest use of national resources for your benefit has been my guiding principle and code of conduct".

Following the Botswana Democratic Party's victory in the October 2004 General Election, President Mogae was sworn in for a second term in November 2004. He again promised to fight poverty and unemployment, and pledged to halt the spread of HIV/AIDS in Botswana by 2016.

In April 2008, in accordance with Botswana's constitution, President Mogae stepped down as President, having served two terms in government. He was succeeded by Seretse Khama Ian Khama.