Botswana Minute.
Friday, 1 May 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Friday, 1 May 2026
Gaborone—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Archive Minute from Friday, 1 May 2026
Business

President calls collective effort to revive Botswana's economy

The News

President Boko says economic revival requires collective strategies from Batswana to diversify the mono-sectoral diamond-dependent economy. He cited the need for manufacturing, reduced power imports via the Maun 500MW Solar Plant, and better public sector salaries to prevent retrenchments and support development.

Why it matters

President outlines urgent economic revival strategy focusing on diversification away from diamonds, solar energy, and public sector support—core national priorities.

1 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Business

  1. President calls collective effort to revive Botswana's economy

    President Boko says economic revival requires collective strategies from Batswana to diversify the mono-sectoral diamond-dependent economy. He cited the need for manufacturing, reduced power imports via the Maun 500MW Solar Plant, and better public sector salaries to prevent retrenchments and support development.

    1 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Agriculture & Land

  1. MmaBessie Festival centres on food security and Masota revival

    The Mmabessie Cultural Festival began at Serowe Main Kgotla with food security as a central focus. Efforts are being reinforced to revive and sustain Masota—communal fields that historically provided grain storage and drought relief—which emerged as a key topic of interest at the festival.

    1 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Sport

  1. Botswana 4x400m team favours repeat World Relays title

    Botswana's 4x400m relay team, which won gold at the World Championships in Japan and the World Relays in Bahamas two years ago, is favoured to defend their World Relays title despite the absence of some US and Jamaica stars.

    1 May 2026 · Mmegi

  2. Gaborone hosts World Relays, first African country to do so

    Botswana is hosting the World Relays in Gaborone, the first African country to do so. A local resident expressed excitement about the event and hope that Team Botswana would win medals.

    1 May 2026 · Mmegi

  3. Botswana to host eighth World Relays athletics championship

    The World Relays championship is being held in Gaborone for the first time, marking Africa's first hosting of the event since its inaugural edition in 2014.

    1 May 2026 · Mmegi

  4. Botswana Boxing Association donates equipment for World Relays

    The Botswana Boxing Association has donated boxing equipment to Debswana for exhibition during World Relays event activations, linking sport with Botswana's diamond industry.

    1 May 2026 · Mmegi

  5. World Relays ticket sales surge after pricing cuts

    Ticket sales for the World Athletics Relays, being held in Gaborone this weekend as a first-time African event, picked up significantly in the final days after organisers introduced a two-day combo package priced at P500 for adults, P300 for students, and P200 for children under 18. The South Stand has sold out in several sections, while the East Stand remains the second most popular.

    1 May 2026 · Mmegi

  6. Botswana's 4x400m team chases gold at World Athletics Relays

    Botswana's men's 4x400m relay squad, recent gold medalists at the 2024 World Relays and 2023 Tokyo World Athletics Championships, compete at the Debswana World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26 on home soil. The team faces Denmark, Nigeria, Australia, Poland, Brazil, the Netherlands and Jamaica in Heat One.

    1 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana

  7. World Athletics President urges early engagement in Kids Athletics

    World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said Kids Athletics builds on the important platform of track and field and that it is critical to catch athletes at a young age. Speaking at a Kids Athletics event in Gaborone, Coe emphasised the need to introduce children to the sport early to develop future talent and grow grassroots participation.

    1 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana

World & Region

  1. China to implement zero-tariff policy for 53 African nations

    Starting May 1, China will implement a zero-tariff policy for all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, described as demonstrating commitment to expanding opening up and providing new development opportunities for Africa.

    1 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana

  2. China offers zero tariffs to African nations from May 2026

    Starting May 1, 2026, China extends a zero-tariff offer to all 53 African diplomatic partners, framed as supporting South-South trade and value chain development for the Global South.

    1 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana

  3. Chinese heritage showcased at 6th Asian Beach Games

    Athletes from 45 countries and regions explored Chinese intangible cultural heritage, including calligraphy, paper-cutting, and Li brocade, at the Athletes' Village during the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya.

    1 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Botswana Minute