The Botswana Entertainment Promoters Association (BEPA) and the Botswana Nightclubs and Bar Association (BNCBA) have pushed back against the government’s proposal to implement a 24-hour economy.
Both industry groups have engaged in a series of unproductive meetings with Minister of Trade and Industry Tiroeaone Ntsima, Minister of Sport and Arts Jacob Kelebeng, and officials from the Office of the President. In response, they submitted a position paper to the Ministry of Trade and Industry addressing the government’s plan to extend liquor trading hours from 8 a.m. to 6 a.m., as well as the broader move toward a 24-hour economic policy.
The organizations argue that, as currently proposed, the extension of liquor trading hours poses significant economic, regulatory, and social risks that conflict with the goals of sustainable national development. They acknowledge that pilot programs during the festive season and Easter offered some insights but are insufficient grounds for a permanent policy change.
“A well-regulated 24-hour economy holds genuine potential for expanded employment, improved asset utilization and increased tax revenue as demonstrated in Kenya and Rwanda. However, its realization requires differentiated regulation, robust public safety infrastructure, meaningful prior consultation and an evidence-based implementation process,” the groups said.
They advocate for a more balanced and sustainable approach based on a differentiated, compliance-driven framework grounded in the existing provisions of the Liquor Act. They emphasize that constructive, good-faith engagement between government and industry, conducted through a structured process, is essential to crafting a policy that fosters economic growth while protecting public interests.
The associations also called for greater recognition of the hospitality sector’s importance, highlighting its role as a critical pillar of the national economy. “According to Statistics Botswana, wholesale and retail trade, including hospitality, accounts for approximately 12 percent of the national GDP while the World Bank estimates that tourism alone accounts for roughly 10 percent of GDP and supports tens of thousands of livelihoods,” their report states.
They describe the hospitality industry as a layered and interconnected ecosystem encompassing restaurants, casual bars, premium lounges, and specialized entertainment venues such as nightclubs. The groups stress that these categories are neither economically nor operationally equivalent, noting that high-investment establishments such as licensed restaurants, lounges, and nightclubs operate under substantial obligations.
“These include significant capital investment in bespoke infrastructure, security systems, customer experience, elevated rental exposure in prime commercial and tourism locations, strict compliance with health, safety, fire and noise regulations including proposed mandatory soundproofing requirements under the Liquor Act 2005,” the report explains.
By contrast, lower-tier operators typically face less capital exposure and regulatory burden. The associations argue that a uniform extension of trading hours without equalizing regulatory obligations distorts competition against compliant, investment-heavy businesses.
“Evidence from the December 2025-January 2026 festive pilot and the Easter 2026 trial demonstrates clear market distortion. Membership feedback across all districts reveals that consumer spending shifted towards lower-cost, extended-hour neighborhood operators, reducing revenue for full-service restaurants and highly regulated venues. Attendance at nightclubs and ticketed events declined significantly,” the report notes.
The groups observed that nightlife activity devolved, with patrons remaining in neighborhood outlets rather than traveling to purpose-built entertainment venues, which saw reduced viability. Extended alcohol availability at local bars was cited as a decisive factor in the closure of one establishment in Maun.
They concluded that extended trading hours tend to redistribute existing demand rather than expanding total market consumption, with downstream effects rippling through local suppliers, logistics providers, performing arts, event organizers, and technical service professionals.
At the national level, the report warned of risks including reduced tax revenue as formal, high-compliance operators face declining revenues and possible closure. It also raised concerns about eroding investor confidence due to regulatory unpredictability, market distortions, slowed investment in premium hospitality, and a contraction in high-value tourism and entertainment.
“These outcomes are inconsistent with the national economic diversification objectives and contradict the developmental ambitions underlying the 24-hour economy policy direction,” the groups said.
The report further referenced data from the 2024 STEPS survey, which indicated a rise in alcohol-related harm, including increased alcohol use and heavy episodic drinking.
The associations criticized the implementation process for lacking adequate consultation with industry stakeholders, insisting that consultation must precede policy rollout, not follow it.
“Stakeholder engagement must be structured, inclusive, adequately resourced and transparent, involving high-investment establishments, small operators, public health advocates, law enforcement and community representatives. Industry participants must be formally incorporated into decision-making processes and afforded a seat at the table. Pilots must not be used to justify predetermined outcomes,” they advised.
Despite their reservations, BNCBA and BEPA expressed support for developing a diversified 24-hour economy across multiple sectors such as retail, transport, health care, and essential services. They stressed that such development should not rely disproportionately on unrestricted alcohol availability, nor proceed at the expense of existing high-investment hospitality infrastructure.
“Within the hospitality sector, a differentiated regulatory approach is required. Uniform application across fundamentally different business models is neither equitable nor economically sustainable. The festive season experience including venue closures, decentralization of spending away from high-investment establishments and persistent alcohol-related harm demonstrates that careful recalibration is urgently needed,” they concluded.
