Gaolathe proposes to raise Botswana’s public debt ceiling

The government of Botswana stands on the brink of a pivotal fiscal shift. The Stock, Bonds and Treasury Bills (Amendment) Bill, 2026, set to be presented by Minister of Finance and Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe, aims to raise the ceiling on outstanding public debt and government-guaranteed debt to 60 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This move signals not only a recalibration of fiscal policy but also a strategic response to pressures mounting...

BoB hints accommodative Monetary Policy

Botswana’s central bank has set the stage for what could be a pivotal year in the country’s economic journey by reaffirming an accommodative monetary policy stance for 2026. In a clear signal to markets and financial institutions alike, Governor Lesego Moseki underscored the Bank of Botswana’s (BoB) commitment to supporting economic activity by generally easing interest rates, provided inflation remains within a manageable range. This policy direction comes amid a cautiously optimistic economic outlook after...

Mohwasa’s critique of BDP’s ‘reckless’ debt

Minister of State President Moeti Mohwasa’s recent outspoken critique of the previous Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) administration has thrust the issue of reckless public debt and its tangible consequences into the national spotlight. His pointed accusation that the BDP left behind a legacy of spiraling debt, particularly through the mismanagement of parastatals, has ignited fresh debate on the challenges facing Botswana’s new government under the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). With over P1 billion already...

Golden Fleece: Discovery of critical minerals in Botswana

Tsodilo Resources, a Canadian mining company, has announced a breakthrough discovery that could reshape the global landscape for rare earth and critical minerals. Their find, located in the remote northwest of Botswana at the Gcwihaba Metals project, boasts a high-grade deposit containing all 15 rare earth elements listed as critical by the United States, along with copper, cobalt, nickel, vanadium, and silver. This discovery is a significant milestone for both Tsodilo and Botswana, positioning the...

Chombo Targets Easy Wins in the Budget

A bold promise from Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs, Lesego Chombo; a promise not of mere rhetoric but of disciplined action designed to transform the lives of young people across the nation. Speaking on the 2026/2027 National Budget, Chombo framed the government’s financial blueprint as a lifeline, aimed squarely at tackling the stubborn challenge of youth unemployment and gender inequality through strategic investment and law-backed quotas. This is more than a budget; it is...

Chombo’s budget response: A SIMPATICO

The 2026/2027 Botswana national budget, unveiled by Vice President and Minister of Finance Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe, represents a pivotal moment in the country’s economic narrative; a shift from mere numbers on paper to a blueprint that foregrounds youth and women as central to the nation’s future. The response delivered by Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs, Ms. Lesego Chombo, cuts through the usual political rhetoric with a sincerity and urgency that reflects the lived realities...

Anglo slashes De Beers value by 50%

Anglo American’s recent decision to slash the carrying value of its iconic diamond subsidiary, De Beers, by nearly half has sent shockwaves through the global diamond industry and raised urgent questions about the future of Botswana’s economy. The reduction from $4.1 billion to $2.3 billion, announced in Anglo American’s 2025 full-year results, marks the third significant impairment of De Beers in just three years. This staggering write-down reflects a grim reality: diamond prices, once seen...

NDB returns to profitability

The National Development Bank (NDB) of Botswana has emerged from years of financial strain to post a profit of P13.1 million in the 2024/25 financial year, signaling a turning point for the institution and a beacon of hope for the country’s economic development. After a prolonged period marked by losses, the bank’s return to profitability marks not just a numerical milestone but a broader statement about resilience and strategic recalibration. At the recent strategy launch,...

Mohwasa, Saleshando clash over Okavango Presidential Resort

The simmering dispute over land in Botswana’s iconic Okavango Delta has erupted into a high-stakes political clash between the government and opposition, crystallizing deep tensions over land ownership, public rights, and economic development in one of Africa’s most treasured natural landscapes. At the center of the storm is Minister of State President Moeti Mohwasa, who has publicly endorsed government plans to retain a swath of land in the Okavango Delta for the construction of a...

Inside BTO’s P2 million Ghost employee scheme

The Botswana Tourism Organisation, tasked with steering one of the country’s most promising sectors, has found itself mired in scandal, and the reverberations are shaking the very foundations of Botswana’s tourism industry. In a stunning exposé that unfolded in early 2026, a finance officer at BTO was compelled to resign amid allegations of swindling over P2 million through a ghost account scheme. This revelation has peeled back the curtain on systemic corruption within an institution...