Batswana are feeling the pinch as a fresh wave of cost pressures tightens its hold on household finances. Rising fuel prices and transport fares are converging to squeeze already stretched budgets across the country. At the heart of this latest financial strain is the recent fuel price adjustment announced by the Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA). The regulator raised unleaded petrol 95 prices by 5.05 thebe per litre, diesel by 8.77 thebe, and illuminating paraffin...

Botswana has obtained a $170 million loan from the OPEC Fund for International Development aimed at reinforcing economic resilience and ensuring fiscal stability. This loan is part of a larger $890 million financing package approved during the OPEC Fund’s 195th Governing Board meeting. The infusion of capital is designed to foster inclusive growth and broaden opportunities for local businesses, with a particular emphasis on enterprises led by youth and women. The funding will enhance Botswana’s...

Standard Chartered Botswana, in partnership with Dream Factory Foundation, has opened applications for the 2026 Women in Tech Accelerator programme. Since its launch in Botswana in 2024, this initiative has driven impressive results, boosting revenue by over P5 million, creating 128 new jobs, and distributing more than P1.4 million in seed funding. Many startups that completed the programme have continued to grow, leveraging their experience to secure an additional P400,000 in external funding. Now entering...

Botswana, long known as the diamond heart of Africa, is now charting a bold new course. Debswana, the country’s iconic diamond producer, has taken a decisive step to break free from the shadows of its legacy and help shape a future that isn’t just about mining. In a move that signals a strategic recalibration, Debswana has established a Business Development Department aimed squarely at driving economic diversification and innovation beyond the glittering allure of diamonds....

A recent survey by the Bank of Botswana (BoB) reveals a resurgence of optimism among Botswana-based enterprises, reversing the decline experienced in the final quarter of 2025. The findings indicate that businesses operating within Botswana anticipate a more conducive trading environment throughout 2026 compared to the challenges faced in late 2025. The quarterly Business Expectations Survey (BES) captured insights from the domestic business community on prevailing economic conditions and their outlook for the year ahead....

The government is placing its hopes on sweeping tax reforms to stabilize public finances and lessen dependency on the unpredictable mineral sector. Vice President and Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe is at the forefront of this initiative, urging both citizens and businesses to embrace a modernized tax framework that promises to reshape the nation’s fiscal landscape and drive sustainable growth. Addressing the Tax Pitso in Gaborone, Gaolathe framed these reforms as a collective national endeavor, calling...

Botswana stands out as one of the Sub-Saharan African (SSA) economies most susceptible to a sharp rise in fuel prices, a consequence of escalating US-Iran geopolitical tensions. In a comprehensive index assessing SSA markets’ exposure to surging energy costs triggered by the US-Iran conflict, Fitch Solutions, a UK-based research firm, positioned Botswana at 11th out of 49 countries, assigning an overall vulnerability score of 62.1 out of 100. Somalia tops the list with a score...

The Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) began 2026 on a note that could only be described as electric, marking a period of robust growth that has grabbed the attention of investors both domestically and abroad. Between January 1 and February 28, the total equity market capitalization surged by an impressive 22.5%, climbing from approximately P741.5 billion in February 2025 to around P908.1 billion by the end of February 2026. This leap was primarily driven by foreign-listed...