There’s a heated debate in Botswana right now about the relationship between President Duma Boko and businessman Mr. Zunaid Moti, especially when it comes to building schools and clinics through the African Hero initiative. Sure, it’s fair to ask questions whenever public institutions team up with private interests. But what’s troubling is how quickly this discussion is turning into outright criticism of a project that’s actually bringing much-needed infrastructure to Botswana – without first asking...

A little-known provision in Botswana flips the burden of proof; and raises questions about justice and rights In most criminal cases, the state must prove you did something wrong. In Botswana, under a powerful and contentious anti-corruption law, the opposite can be true: you must prove you did nothing wrong. Section 34 of the Corruption and Economic Crime Act, a provision that legal scholars call one of the broadest “illicit enrichment” laws on the African...

The Botswana Entertainment Promoters Association (BEPA) and the Botswana Nightclubs and Bar Association (BNCBA) have pushed back against the government’s proposal to implement a 24-hour economy. Both industry groups have engaged in a series of unproductive meetings with Minister of Trade and Industry Tiroeaone Ntsima, Minister of Sport and Arts Jacob Kelebeng, and officials from the Office of the President. In response, they submitted a position paper to the Ministry of Trade and Industry addressing...