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 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...
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,...
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...
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...
It is a P1.83 Billion increase compared to 1.6% drop The unveiling of Botswana’s 2025/2026 national budget by Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe has stirred a mix of intrigue and concern, revealing a shifting fiscal landscape with significant implications for the country’s economic and social priorities. At its core, the budget presents a curious imbalance: an increase in recurrent expenditure alongside a contraction in the development budget. This divergence raises pressing questions about the government’s strategic...
Botswana’s digital credit sector is witnessing rapid expansion, propelled primarily by mobile lending and fintech innovations. Yet, a pressing question looms: who holds regulatory authority over these emerging financial services? Traditional banks remain under the scrutiny of the Bank of Botswana and the Non-Bank Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority (NBFIRA), but many mobile lenders and fintech platforms operate in a nebulous legal zone. This regulatory ambiguity exposes consumers to significant risks, including excessive indebtedness, fraud, and...
Allows a broader ownership coalition that can stabilize and grow De Beers Botswana is contemplating a move that could reshape its economic destiny and the global diamond industry. The government of Botswana, already a 15% owner of De Beers, the world’s most iconic diamond company, is considering expanding its stake as Anglo American, the current 85% majority owner, prepares to divest. This potential acquisition has sparked a heated debate, inside Botswana, across boardrooms in...
Sweeping tax reforms prominent in next week’s budget Top Earners to pay more tax; VAT, Corporate tax UP Botswana is on the cusp of a significant overhaul of its tax laws, with the Ministry of Finance poised to introduce sweeping reforms aimed at modernizing the country’s tax regime and boosting domestic revenue. These changes, expected to take center stage in Vice President and Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe’s upcoming 2026 Budget speech, reflect the government’s...
The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), in tandem with the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), announced the recovery of P32.3 million from Marcian Concepts (Pty) Ltd, a construction company embroiled in a scandal that has exposed glaring cracks in Botswana’s public procurement system. This sum was part of a tender contract awarded under questionable circumstances by the Selibe Phikwe Economic Diversification Unit (SPEDU) in May 2020. The tender, valued at over P230 million,...
