Index Commentary

Botswana drops by four places in the Index driven by deterioration across all dimensions measuring the energy performance. Energy security mostly struggles with a low diversity of electricity production and a low wholesale margin on gasoline. Only 45% of the population has access to electricity, which leads to weak social equity scores. Environmental performance is very weak due to very high CO2 emissions from electricity and heat generation and a low quality of air and water. Performance further deteriorated during the last year. Botswana underperforms significantly in mitigating its environmental impact compared to countries with similar levels of energy intensity per capita and Botswana ranks last in this dimension (rank 94). Political strength is supported by a good political stability, and still relatively good but decreasing regulatory quality and effectiveness of government.