Botswana and Mauritius: A Comparative Analysis of Political and Economic Success Story in the Most Unlikely Region

The African continent is the last place to consider seeking case studies for political and economic success. In the midst of this gloomy picture, Botswana and Mauritius have emerged as two of the most stable democracies with the most politically and economically advanced economies in the world. In conducting a careful and critical analysis of the reasons for their success, there is often the temptation of labeling the achievements of these two nations as political and economic "miracles". This study seeks not to single out these two countries as unique cases, but as models of growth for the rest of the African continent, from which, other countries in the African sub-region can learn in order to build upon the modest gains made by these two countries and subsequently fuel their own political and economic development. The examples of Botswana and Mauritius reveal that with workable political institutions and pragmatic economic policies, a country is bound to succeed irrespective of its location and geographical inclinations and predictions. Institutions, political or economic, ought not necessarily to be democratic, but ones oriented and suited to meet African political and economic conditions. There is a realization that pragmatic political institutions and workable economic policies are essential to Africa's overall political and economic development.