President Advocate Duma Boko has disclosed that his administration has spent about P3.7 billion settling unpaid government invoices inherited from previous administrations, warning that these accumulated debts have slowed progress on delivering promised economic reforms.
Boko said some of the outstanding bills date back to 2018, emphasizing that the government’s initial efforts have focused on stabilizing public finances before accelerating development programs.
Addressing delegates at the Botswana National Front (BNF) National Conference in Jwaneng over the weekend, Boko said criticism of his government’s slow pace ignored the financial burden inherited at the start of their term. “We have had to clear, up to now, about P3.7 billion of old invoices, some of them from as far back as 2018. So when you complain that you are not seeing any serious movement on the dial, understand that that movement of the dial is being undermined by the debt that we have inherited,” Boko said.
The President argued that inherited liabilities have constrained the government’s ability to immediately redirect resources toward new programs, insisting that clearing old obligations was necessary to restore confidence in public finances and ensure sustainable spending.
Boko also defended his administration’s decision to conduct a forensic audit of public institutions, saying the exercise aims to identify weaknesses, irregularities, and possible accountability failures within government systems. He rejected suggestions that the audit process had stalled, noting it had already highlighted institutions, areas of concern, and individuals who may require further scrutiny. “The forensic audit identifies for you, we are actually aware where the problems are, what the problems are, and who the problems may be,” Boko said.
However, he stressed that a forensic audit should not be mistaken for a criminal investigation, explaining that while audits identify suspicious transactions and governance weaknesses, law enforcement agencies must conduct investigations to establish criminal responsibility.
According to Boko, criminal investigations require tracing financial transactions, following money trails, and identifying assets linked to possible wrongdoing before prosecution can take place. The President also challenged traditional measures of economic success, arguing that government performance should not only be judged through financial statistics but by whether ordinary citizens experience improved living conditions. “An economy is not columns in a ledger. It is whether a mother in some far-flung village or little hamlets can afford school shoes for their child,” he said.
Boko maintained that economic growth must translate into employment opportunities, improved household incomes, and better living standards, particularly for young people facing unemployment challenges.
He further defended public sector wage increases despite fiscal pressures, saying workers needed support during difficult economic conditions. “Growth that does not reach the kitchen table is not growth we can be proud of,” Boko said.
The disclosure of P3.7 billion spent clearing old invoices highlights one of the biggest challenges facing Botswana’s new administration: balancing political expectations for rapid transformation against the reality of inherited fiscal obligations. While clearing unpaid government bills can improve supplier confidence, protect businesses that rely on state contracts, and strengthen financial discipline, the revelation also raises questions about how such debts accumulated and whether previous procurement and financial controls were effective.
Government arrears running over several years suggest deeper structural weaknesses in public financial management, including possible budgeting gaps, delayed payments, and weak oversight mechanisms. The forensic audit promised by Boko could become a critical tool in identifying whether unpaid obligations resulted from administrative inefficiencies, poor planning, or possible misconduct.
However, transparency will be key. Citizens are likely to demand clarity on where the P3.7 billion was owed, which institutions accumulated the debts, who benefited from the payments, and whether any officials will face consequences if wrongdoing is discovered. Without visible accountability measures, the audit risks being viewed as a political exercise rather than a genuine governance reform initiative.
Boko’s argument that economic success must be measured beyond government balance sheets reflects growing public frustration with traditional economic indicators that do not always translate into improved household welfare. Botswana’s challenge remains turning macroeconomic stability into meaningful employment, affordable services, and improved livelihoods.
At the same time, the government faces a difficult balancing act. Expanding wages and social support programs may provide immediate relief to households, but increased recurrent expenditure must be matched with stronger revenue generation and productivity growth. The long-term credibility of Boko’s economic agenda will depend on whether his administration can move beyond managing inherited debts and demonstrate measurable improvements in jobs, investment, and living standards.