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...

Recurrent budget UP, development budget DOWN

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 digital credit growth faces regulatory challenges

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...

Botswana advised to up De Beers shareholding to 26% – a blocking minority level

  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...