Droughts occur frequently. Botswana is a poor country, but its economy is developing rapidly. The nation's two chief industries are mining and the raising of livestock, especially cattle. Copper, diamond, and nickel deposits were discovered in Botswana in the late 1960's and the 1970's and are being developed today. Botswana also has deposits of coal and cobalt.
Farmers raise corn, millet, sorghum, and other crops.
Botswana is developing its manufacturing through government encouragement of private enterprise and foreign investment. Botswana's chief exports are beef, diamonds and other mineral products, hides and skins, and textiles. Leading imports include chemicals, food, fuel, machinery, and transportation equipment. Botswana's chief trading partners are South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Zimbabwe. Botswana's economy depends heavily on South Africa for investments, markets, and technical skills.