The Botswana Nightclubs and Bars Association and the Botswana Entertainment Promoters Association have submitted an alternative 24-hour economy plan to the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTE) in a bid to push back against the government’s liberalisation of entertainment hours.
In a position paper submitted to MTE in April, the lobby rejects the implementation of the 24-hour economy in its current form and argues that it requires reconsideration to align it with economic sustainability, fair competition, public health and the regulatory intent of the Liquor Act.
In that regard, the lobby proposed a new operating model to govern entertainment venue operating hours, which have been a source of friction and uncertainty between MTE, the lobby and its stakeholders.
The main point of conflict between the lobby and MTE is that the 24-hour economy, in its current form, has created an uneven playing field for different players in the market. It has shifted profitability towards bars while hurting nightclubs and festivals.
The new proposal recommends that bars operate from 10:00 to 22:00 on weekdays and from 12:00 to 20:00 on Sundays and public holidays.
The blueprint further proposes that restaurants and lounges be licensed to operate from 10:00 to 02:00 on weekdays, adding that a two-hour extension may be granted, subject to regulatory approval.
It also recommends that nightclubs and entertainment venues be permitted to operate from 18:00 to 06:00, with extended 24-hour operations granted conditionally, subject to approval and strict compliance requirements.
Meanwhile, for festivals and event venues, the lobby’s proposal states that operating hours shall be specified in each event permit issued by the licensing authority. It further asserts that temporary licensing shall be subject to public safety, security and environmental considerations.
It states that the proposed framework has been adopted in comparable jurisdictions, citing South Africa’s Limpopo Liquor Amendments Registrations of 2025.
“Operations in Category A (bars) seeking extended hours must meet enhanced compliance, infrastructure and operational standards equivalent to those of Category B (restaurants and lounges) and Category C (nightclubs) operators before becoming eligible for extended trading. This preserves competitive equity and maintains the integrity of the licensing framework,” the report states.
The report further recommends the temporary suspension of the implementation of the 24-hour economy, asserting that the government must introduce an interim review period of three to six months to assess the economic impact, public safety outcomes and sector suitability before any permanent determination is made.
“Government should convene a National Stakeholder Forum within 30 days of this submission, with formal representation across the full value chain. Outcomes must be documented, transparent and incorporated into final policy decisions,” it states.
In addition, the lobby argues for licensing reform and stricter enforcement of the Liquor Act’s provisions, including licence suspensions and revocations for non-compliance.
It also calls for stronger public health safeguards, such as responsible consumption programmes, increased law enforcement visibility during extended trading hours and the monitoring of alcohol-related harm indicators, including road fatalities, gender-based violence and drink-driving incidents.
The liquor lobby also argues that permanent reform should be based on verified, independently assessed data covering economic performance, public health, crime and safety, as well as social impact indicators. It suggests that data on economic impact, public health and public safety be collected and published before permanent implementation.
Other datasets proposed by the lobby include social impact indicators such as family welfare, child protection and youth delinquency, as well as a comparative analysis of African jurisdictions at similar stages of implementation.
