Abstract:
This study explores how ‘landlockness’ impacts the maritime domain concerns of Landlocked
countries (LLCs). The ocean is home to an abundance of resources and endless opportunities
that are key to the security and prosperity of the state. It is therefore a competitive arena in
which states and non-state actors compete to control and promote their interests. Although
LLCs in Africa already benefit from the maritime domain through activities such as commercial
trade they are often passive participants and beneficiaries of the maritime domain. Increased
awareness and deeper engagement with the maritime domain and littoral actors is important
for enhancing their agency to promote development and prosperity. The geopolitical
constraints and opportunities of LLCs are explored using the case of Botswana. Botswana is
a landlocked country positioned at the centre of Southern Africa. LLCs are viewed as
geographically disadvantaged due to their isolation from the ocean and reliance on transit
states to gain access to the maritime domain. In addition, LLCs in Africa and around the world
tend to lag behind their littoral counterparts in terms of development due to barriers to
economic development linked to overseas markets. Botswana is unique because it is believed
to have overcome its geographic disadvantage, with a reputation as an upper-middle-income
country and one of the most developed on the continent. Surrounded by four countries,
Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia, access to the maritime domain for Botswana
is only achieved through cooperation with transit states, making cordial political and
transboundary relations a key priority of the country. The country has leveraged its position at
the centre of the region to strengthen its bilateral ties with transit states and promote greater
multilateralism through institutions such as the Southern African Development Community
(SADC) which are key to the achievement of growth and development aspirations of the
region. These institutions, and regional agreements, are particularly important for Botswana
as it cannot create conditions for greater economic integration and infrastructural cooperation
needed to boost its economy and national security. The country also faces opportunities for
greater bilateral and multilateral cooperation beyond Southern Africa. In the long term,
Botswana can expand its trade beyond its immediate region, reducing reliance on its mineral
commodities such as diamonds and promoting economic diversification which enhances
national security.
