Botswana is grappling with an explosive surge in cyber-fraud, a staggering 450 percent increase that underscores a shift in the country’s crime landscape toward digital financial offenses. This surge, recorded between 2024 and mid-2025, has led to over P10 million in losses through scams such as SIM swaps, social engineering, and bank-to-wallet fraud. This uptick in cybercrime starkly contrasts with an 8 percent drop in overall reported criminal incidents, from 159,680 in 2023 to 146,529...

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Statutory Bodies and State Enterprises has convened to embark on a comprehensive review of government-owned entities, triggered by the conclusion of an extensive forensic audit across the public sector. This gathering marks the onset of intensified parliamentary oversight over the financial integrity and governance of parastatals as Botswana nears the 2026/2027 fiscal year in May. Legislators are poised to transform the audit’s findings into tangible measures of accountability. Under the...

Botswana’s public and private sectors face a ticking clock: less than two years to fully transition their services online under the Digital Services Act. This bold mandate signals a determined stride toward comprehensive digital transformation nationwide. The initiative is a core element of government efforts to modernize service delivery, boost operational efficiency, and elevate user experience. The 24-month compliance period, which commenced in November last year, is designed to give institutions sufficient time to prepare...

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of Botswana met yesterday amid a complex global and domestic economic backdrop, delivering a decision that underscores cautious optimism but also signals the ongoing challenges facing the country’s economy. The 2026 Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) launched alongside the meeting offers a comprehensive view of how the Bank of Botswana intends to navigate a fragile growth environment, inflationary pressures, and structural economic shifts. As Botswana stands at a crossroads, the MPC’s...

Botswana’s legal profession has emerged as a critical weak spot in the nation’s battle against money laundering and terrorist financing, a recent regional watchdog report reveals. The assessment highlights a glaring lack of effective oversight over lawyers and other high-risk sectors vulnerable to illicit financial activities. This exposes Botswana to reputational risks as it strives to uphold its financial integrity amid mounting international scrutiny. The Eastern and Southern Africa Anti Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG) issued...