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...

Masisi contemplates diamonds, power, and political fallout When diamond diplomacy clashes with political survival Former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi laid bare the intricate dance of power, diamond diplomacy, and political sacrifice during a compelling lecture at the University of Namibia. Reflecting on the evolving relationship between Namibia and Botswana, Masisi charted how diamonds have not only shaped Botswana’s survival strategy but also its stance on the regional stage. He candidly linked the tough decisions he...

General Mpho Churchill Mophuting, Commander of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), recently undertook a strategic visit to the Botswana Innovation and Research Institute (BITRI) as part of his ongoing national engagement efforts. This visit focused on exploring how pioneering research and innovation can bolster Botswana’s defence readiness and ensure sustainable operational capabilities over the long term. Central to their discussions was the alignment of scientific advancements with the BDF’s shifting security priorities. General Mophuting’s dialogue...

  Proposed low salaries drive SKMTH doctors away Contract uncertainty stalls critical hospital services Specialists warn of burnout risks, backlog grows The transition of Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital (SKMTH) from a private entity to a public hospital has ignited a storm of challenges that expose critical gaps in Botswana’s specialist healthcare services. This shift, heralded by government officials as a move toward expanded and improved care, has instead revealed a troubling reality of service...

Mental health and gender safety in the workplace have surfaced as crucial yet frequently overlooked challenges undermining productivity, dignity, and economic advancement worldwide. As organizations contend with escalating stress, harassment, and gender-based violence on the job, mounting evidence reveals that the consequences of inaction ripple across workers, employers, and entire national economies. Experts emphasize that shattering this silence demands comprehensive policy reform, accountable leadership, and a fundamental transformation of workplace culture. Across industries, employees are...

  Demands that Minister withdraw statement he made about health workers He accused healthcare workers of hoarding medicines in distribution facilities Botswana’s public health sector finds itself at a tense crossroads following a public spat between the Minister of Health, Dr. Stephen Modise, and the nation’s public service trade unions. The unions have demanded that Dr. Modise retract statements he made at a Botswana National Front (BNF) press conference accusing healthcare workers of hoarding medicines...