Air Botswana suspends regional routes, focuses on tourism revival

Air Botswana has suspended three regional routes in response to mounting financial losses, as the government seeks to stabilize the national carrier. The airline reported a substantial revenue shortfall over a nine-month period, prompting urgent restructuring efforts. Officials describe the move as part of a broader strategy to strengthen both the aviation sector and tourism industry. The airline has discontinued flights connecting Gaborone with Durban’s King Shaka International Airport, Gaborone with Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International...

Botswana’s procurement system at crossroads amid reform efforts

Botswana’s procurement system, a mechanism that channels billions of pula annually, now finds itself at a pivotal moment in the nation’s broader economic reform agenda. The inaugural National Public Procurement Pitso has spotlighted both the power and the pressure embedded in the country’s procurement framework, bringing together government officials, regulators, and industry leaders to confront the urgent need for transformation. Over two days of discussions, the message was clear: procurement must evolve from a routine...

Chaos erupts over party funding claims in Parliament

Tensions flared dramatically in Parliament when Hon. Moeti Caesar Mohwasa, Minister for State President, Defence and Security, confronted fellow lawmakers over undisclosed party funding, accusing them of concealing support from business interests. His pointed accusations triggered vehement rebuttals from Leader of the Opposition Dumelang Saleshando, escalating the discord to a level that compelled Speaker Dithapelo Lefoko Keorapetse to intervene, demanding substantiated evidence before the debate could proceed. The atmosphere grew palpably charged as Mohwasa directly...

Over 1,300 new cases submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman

Assistant Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Augustine Nyatanga, disclosed this week that the Office of the Ombudsman has received a total of 1,341 cases for the 2025/2026 fiscal year to date, with 129 of these concerning human rights issues. Nyatanga shared these figures during his presentation of the committee of supply for the Office of the Ombudsman, which operates under his ministry. He further revealed that 954 of these cases have been resolved, reflecting...

Cyber fraud explodes 450%

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...

FNBB approves P314 million for sustainable growth

First National Bank of Botswana (FNBB) has once again solidified its role as a leading force in sustainable finance, approving P314 million in sustainable finance facilities for the six months ending December 31, 2025. This move, announced recently, reflects a nuanced recalibration from last year’s P495 million, shaped by a cautious response to a subdued lending environment amid persistent macroeconomic challenges. But beyond the raw figures lies a deeper story about how Botswana’s largest bank...

Debswana shifts focus to copper, platinum, and solar energy   

Facing a slump in global demand for natural diamonds, Debswana has greenlit a strategic move to diversify into copper, platinum, and solar energy. This shift comes on the heels of a steep 46 percent drop in the company’s revenue in 2024, highlighting the urgent need for diamond-reliant producers to expand their resource base. The decision mirrors a broader restructuring trend in the diamond industry, as companies increasingly seek out more stable and lucrative commodities. The...

Parliament sets sights on parastatal scandals following forensic audit

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...

Digital Services Act sets countdown for sectoral digital shift 

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...

Ombudsman probes claims counterfeit medicines

The Ombudsman’s Office has acknowledged receipt of a report accusing the Ministry of Health of dispensing counterfeit and potentially lethal medications to children and other patients. These allegations were brought to light in Parliament by Assistant Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Ignatius Moswaane. The matter is presently undergoing a preliminary assessment to establish whether it falls within the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction. Speaking in Parliament last week, Moswaane asserted that children were administered flu and...