WOMEN ACHIEVERS

Philda Nani Kereng is a Botswana diplomat, social development expert, and former politician. She was born on March 17, 1970, in Ramotswa, Botswana, making her 55 years old as of current date. She is a mother of three children. Education: Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Public Administration from the University of Botswana (1994) Master of Arts in Sociology of Development from the University of Essex in the United Kingdom (1999) Career Highlights: Early Career: Before entering politics, Kereng had extensive experience in social development, focusing on child protection, community economic empowerment, and environmental sustainability. She held positions such as Child Protection Officer at UNICEF and project officer at the Action for Economic Empowerment Trust (AEET), and worked as a consultant in policy development and community planning. Political Career: From 2019 to 2024, she served as Botswana's Minister of Environment and Tourism, a role in which she was instrumental in shaping the country's tourism and environmental policies, including the revision of the Tourism Policy, Development Strategy & Master Plan, and the development of Climate Change and Waste Management Policies. In 2024, she was appointed High Commissioner of the Republic of Botswana to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a position she currently holds. Advocacy: She is a strong advocate for community-based tourism, sustainable development, and economic empowerment, working with rural communities on ecotourism projects and promoting women's and youth empowerment. She has also been active in international forums on tourism and sustainable development, serving as a guest lecturer at the University of Oxford and addressing the UK Parliament's House of Lords on conservation issues in 2023. Awards and Recognitions: Leadership Excellence Award (2021) – African Tourism Board PYNE Leadership Award (2022) – Lagos, Nigeria Leadership Award (2022) – Africa Tourism Leadership Forum Destination Africa Lifetime Award (2023) – Africa Tourism Leadership Forum Service Recognition Award (2023) – African Union She is also an associate pastor in a local church and is passionate about motivational speaking, life coaching, and mentoring women and young entrepreneurs. Philda Nani Kereng is a distinguished Motswana diplomat, social development expert, and former politician, currently serving as the High Commissioner of the Republic of Botswana to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. With over 30 years of experience in social development, she is a strong advocate for child protection, community development, and sustainability. Prior to her diplomatic appointment in 2024, High Commissioner Kereng served as Botswana's Minister of Environment and Tourism from 2019 to 2024. In this role, she was instrumental in shaping the country's tourism and environmental policies, leading efforts in the sector's resilience and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Her tenure saw the revision of Botswana's Tourism Policy, Development Strategy & Master Plan, and she played a key role in developing the nation's Climate Change and Waste Management Policies. Her contributions have been recognized with several accolades, including the Leadership Excellence Award (2021) from the African Tourism Board and the Destination Africa Lifetime Award (2023). Her extensive background also includes significant work in social development, specializing in child protection and community economic empowerment, with positions at organizations such as UNICEF and the Action for Economic Empowerment Trust (AEET).