Botswana Minute.
Tuesday, 5 May 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Tuesday, 5 May 2026
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Archive Minute from Tuesday, 5 May 2026
Politics

Six BCP MPs reportedly endorse Lucas in party leadership race

The News

Taolo Lucas, Botswana Congress Party vice presidential candidate, has reportedly won the support of at least six Members of Parliament in his campaign against Unity Dow, Member of Parliament for Kgatleng West. The Lucas campaign is targeting additional influential party figures as it seeks to strengthen its position ahead of the elective congress.

Why it matters

Leadership race within BCP shows evolving internal party dynamics as opposition seeks to strengthen its standing.

5 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

Politics

  1. Six BCP MPs reportedly endorse Lucas in party leadership race

    Taolo Lucas, Botswana Congress Party vice presidential candidate, has reportedly won the support of at least six Members of Parliament in his campaign against Unity Dow, Member of Parliament for Kgatleng West. The Lucas campaign is targeting additional influential party figures as it seeks to strengthen its position ahead of the elective congress.

    5 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

  2. BCP raises concerns over parliamentary committees' failed meetings

    The Botswana Congress Party is formally engaging the Speaker of the National Assembly over the underperformance of parliamentary committees, noting that several committees did not meet regularly during the past financial year, which the party says has hampered Parliament's constitutional role in scrutinizing government activities and holding the Executive accountable.

    5 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

  3. Auditor General report reveals unpaid loans and financial mismanagement

    The Auditor General Keneilwe Senyarelo has released a report highlighting issues with Botswana's government finances, including unpaid loans and administrative bungling.

    5 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

  4. Botswana dismantles cross-border tobacco smuggling ring

    Botswana authorities have dismantled a cross-border criminal network allegedly linked to prominent business figures and politically exposed individuals in a major crackdown on illicit tobacco trafficking. The seizure was valued at P10 million.

    5 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

  5. Forensic audit flags 80 senior officials for governance irregularities

    A forensic audit commissioned by Botswana to investigate embezzlement, corruption and fraud in public finances between April 2014 and March 2024 has revealed significant irregularities, though the public summary stops short of naming individuals directly.

    5 May 2026 · Mmegi →

  6. Botswana's audit finds P33 billion fraud and mismanagement losses

    A National Forensic Audit Programme report covering April 2014 to March 2024 found that Botswana may have lost an estimated P33 billion to fraud, waste and financial mismanagement across 30 government entities, with 814 instances of irregularity and 80 cases flagged for criminal or disciplinary investigation.

    5 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Business

  1. Office of President hires U.S. firm to attract American investors

    The Office of the President has retained U.S. lobbying firm Fang Consultancy, through Presidential Envoy on Investment Dr. Farzam Kamalabadi, to attract American investors to Botswana's mining and energy sectors.

    5 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

  2. Bank of Botswana raises policy rate to 5.5 percent

    The Monetary Policy Committee increased the Monetary Policy Rate by 200 basis points from 3.5 percent to 5.5 percent on 30 April 2026.

    5 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

  3. Botswana's interest payments on debt projected at P6.3 billion by 2027

    S&P Global Ratings data shows Botswana's Finance Ministry expects to spend P6.3 billion on interest payments for government debt during the 2026/2027 fiscal year, as the government pursues monthly bond auctions to finance projected deficits of P25.48 billion in 2025/2026 and P26.35 billion in 2026/2027.

    5 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

  4. Hollard Insurance pays BWP 4.8 million in cartel settlement

    The Competition and Consumer Authority secured its first-ever cartel settlement in Botswana, with Hollard Insurance agreeing to pay BWP 4,828,510.08 following allegations of anti-competitive conduct including price-fixing and abuse of dominance in the car repair industry. Hollard must develop a compliance program within 90 days and cooperate with the CCA's ongoing prosecution of other respondents.

    5 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

  5. BITC signs investment pact with local authorities

    The Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding focused on identifying district-level investment opportunities and improving coordination between national initiatives and local communities. The pact aims to streamline land access processes, support local economic development, and develop district-specific investment promotion initiatives.

    5 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  6. Botswana's SEZs attract P23 billion investment, create 9,000 jobs

    Botswana's Special Economic Zones Authority reports that 33 licensed companies have invested P23 billion in the country's SEZs, expected to generate around 9,000 jobs across manufacturing, e-commerce, petroleum, and mineral beneficiation. The Sir Seretse Khama International Airport SEZ alone hosts eight licensed companies, has attracted over P3 billion in investment, and is positioned to create approximately 1,500 jobs.

    5 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

  7. World Economic Forum examines converging technologies driving future economic growth

    The World Economic Forum's Technology Convergence Initiative, launched in 2024 and developed with Capgemini, reports that competitive advantage now depends on mastering the combination and scaling of multiple technologies across ecosystems rather than owning single advanced technologies. The research across twelve sectors shows AI, robotics, advanced materials, spatial computing, and next-generation energy systems are integrating to create greater value.

    5 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

  8. BURS exceeds revenue target, denies wage-linkage claims

    The Botswana Unified Revenue Service exceeded its revenue target of P59.824 billion by roughly P507 million, collecting approximately P60.124 billion, while dismissing claims that its financial performance directly influences wage negotiations. The agency attributed the achievement to strengthened compliance measures, improved enforcement, and enhanced data analytics, and said wage outcomes are determined through structured negotiation processes rather than being tied to revenue results.

    5 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

Mining & Energy

  1. Botswana's diamond narrative reshaped from blood diamonds

    In 2006, as President Festus Mogae addressed the HIV/AIDS pandemic, Botswana fought the narrative that African diamonds were "blood diamonds." De Beers invested billions in advertising to correct the narrative while Mogae took Botswana's voice to the world stage to resist a single story defining the continent.

    5 May 2026 · Mmegi →

  2. De Beers production surges 88% in first quarter 2026

    De Beers reported total carats recovered reached 7.133 million in Q1 2026, an 88% jump from Q4 2025 and 17% rise year-on-year, driven by planned ore releases and higher underground volumes. The company noted that despite the production gains, rough diamond trading conditions remained challenged due to industry, geopolitical and tariff headwinds.

    5 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

  3. World Relays medals embed diamonds in Botswana branding push

    Botswana's 2026 Debswana World Athletics Relays featured 120 locally sourced natural diamonds embedded in competition medals as part of a strategy to revitalise the diamond industry and position Botswana as a leader in ethical, traceable diamonds amid declining demand and competition from lab-grown alternatives.

    5 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Agriculture & Land

  1. Book challenges traditional farming systems in Africa

    A book by Kentse Oupa Batsima explores the challenges of African agriculture, addressing reliance on traditional farming practices, growing food import dependence, and hunger across the continent, while advocating for a shift toward efficiency, productivity, and data-driven farming as an economically viable enterprise.

    5 May 2026 · Mmegi →

  2. FMD outbreak disrupts livestock sales, strains bank loan performance

    An FMD outbreak in Zone 11 has triggered livestock movement restrictions and export suspensions, disrupting cash flows for farmers and agribusinesses who depend on seasonal cattle sales to service bank loans. The disruption is increasing loan restructuring requests, arrears, and non-performing loans, particularly in agricultural portfolios, while reduced transaction volumes in rural communities slow economic activity.

    5 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

Society

  1. Inmate stabbed during turf war at Gaborone Maximum Prison

    A violent turf war has broken out inside Gaborone Maximum Prison, where rival inmate factions are believed to be battling for control over a lucrative black market operating within the facility.

    5 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

  2. BOTEPCO briefing press on continental education summit

    BOTEPCO officials outlined Botswana's readiness to host a continental education summit scheduled for May 5–8 at the Gaborone International Convention Centre, positioning it as a significant milestone for the education sector.

    5 May 2026 · Mmegi →

  3. Rising divorce rate in Botswana demands deeper analysis

    About 2,000 divorce cases are pending in Botswana's High Court, but the real number of broken marriages is likely much higher as many couples separate without legal proceedings. The article argues that commonly cited causes of divorce—infidelity, financial stress, poor communication, and abuse—may be symptoms rather than root causes of marriage breakdown.

    5 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

  4. Edison Setlhomo Masizi Memorial Hospital nears completion after delays

    The P457 million, 70-bed Edison Setlhomo Masizi Memorial Hospital is approaching completion after four years of delay beyond its original May 2022 handover date, with construction now reported at 99 percent and equipment arriving, though the project has been marked by poor workmanship including structural defects.

    5 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

  5. Teachers petition BEC over unpaid examination work in 2025

    Teachers and invigilators have petitioned the Botswana Examinations Council over unpaid work for marking and invigilation of BGCSE, JCE, and PSLE examinations in 2025. BEC's CEO pledged a formal response by the following Wednesday, though petition coordinators warned of potential escalation if demands are not met.

    5 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

  6. Digital marketer connects Batswana to scholarships and grants

    Boago Jackson, a digital marketer with a significant social media following across TikTok, Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook, shares information about free training programmes, scholarships and grants available locally and internationally. He verifies the legitimacy of opportunities by researching with embassies, high commissions and relevant institutions.

    5 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  7. Marathon proceeds fund hydroponic farm feeding SOS children

    The 2024 Diacore Gaborone Marathon has funded a hydroponic farming project in Tlokweng that is improving nutrition for children at SOS Children's Villages Botswana by providing fresh vegetables and sustainable farming skills.

    5 May 2026 · Mmegi →

  8. Ministry validates remodelled YDF and BNSP youth programmes

    The Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs, partnering with UNICEF Botswana, held an online mass validation exercise to present revised models for the Youth Development Fund and Botswana National Service Programme, based on months of research by Genesis Analytics. The sessions attracted over 700 young people.

    5 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

Culture

  1. Spike Lee defends Michael Jackson film for omitting abuse allegations

    Director Spike Lee has defended his film Michael, which stars Michael Jackson's real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson and charts the King of Pop's life from the Jackson 5 in the 1960s to his early solo career. Lee said the film does not include abuse allegations because it covers only Jackson's life up until 1988, before the first allegation was made.

    5 May 2026 · Mmegi →

Sport

  1. Botswana men's 4x400m team sets World Relays record

    Botswana's men's 4x400m relay team of Lee Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori and Collen Kebinatshipi clocked 2:54.47 to set a new World Relays record and register the second-fastest time in history, 0.18 seconds behind the world record held by the United States.

    5 May 2026 · Mmegi →

  2. Botswana hosts World Relays, first African nation

    Botswana became the first African nation to host the World Relays, with 40 countries and over 700 athletes participating. The event featured medals containing natural diamonds for the first time in the sport, and Botswana's men's 4x400m relay team qualified for the World Athletics Championships in Beijing next year.

    5 May 2026 · Mmegi →

  3. National Stadium track earns premier global athletics status

    Botswana's newly refurbished National Stadium track has been recognised as one of the world's premier fast tracks, joining venues like Hayward Field and Stade Louis II. Three World Records were broken at the Debswana World Athletics Relays within 48 hours, with Botswana setting an African and Championship Record in the 4x400m.

    5 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

World & Region

  1. IAFS-IV summit examines Africa-India cooperation amid global shifts

    The India-Africa Forum Summit is taking place as countries reassess partnerships and development strategies in response to shifting global dynamics, unpredictability, and volatility in energy markets and trade routes, according to the Indian Embassy in Botswana.

    5 May 2026 · Mmegi →

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