Nov. 5 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama said Botswana is one of the “extraordinary success stories in Africa” and a “great partner” to the U.S.

Obama cited more than 40 years of good governance and sound economic management in the landlocked southern African country, after a White House meeting with Botswana’s president, Ian Khama.

“Although Botswana is not a large country, it is truly one of the extraordinary success stories in Africa,” Obama told reporters in the Oval Office. “It’s also been a great partner to the United States. Our governments have cooperated extensively throughout the years.”

The two leaders met to discuss regional issues including the spread of HIV/AIDS across Africa. Obama campaigned on a vow to increase funding for global pandemics, including HIV/AIDS, and in his proposed budget released earlier this year doubled U.S. foreign assistance to $50 billion.

Botswana has the world’s second highest HIV-infection rate and last year agreed to borrow $48.7 million from the World Bank to fight the disease. Almost one in four people between the ages of 15 and 49 in Botswana are HIV positive, according to the Web site of the United Nations AIDS agency.

To contact the reporter on this story: Nicholas Johnston in Washington at njohnston3@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 5, 2009 18:15 EST