Botswana Minute.
Wednesday, 29 July 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Wednesday, 29 July 2026
Gaborone—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Archive Minute from Wednesday, 29 July 2026

Politics

  1. PAC questions DIS spending under Magosi's leadership

    The Public Accounts Committee grilled the Directorate of Intelligence and Security over questionable expenditure, procurement decisions, conflicts of interest, and costly personnel disputes under Magosi's leadership.

    29 July 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

  2. DIS chief revives P100 billion disputed claim amid legal costs

    The Director-General of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services has reopened a controversial P100 billion claim while the government is managing a P83 million legal bill, positioning the DIS chief as a potential liability to President Boko's administration.

    29 July 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

  3. MPs support National Research and Innovation Council Bill

    Legislators have expressed support for the creation of the National Research and Innovation Council, saying it will be instrumental in the country's economic diversification. MPs highlighted that the council would enable technology adoption, commercialise scientific discoveries into market-ready products, and drive industrialisation and sustainable growth.

    29 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Business

  1. FNB Botswana wins two Euromoney Awards for Excellence in 2026

    FNB Botswana has been recognised with two accolades at the 2026 Euromoney Awards for Excellence: Botswana's Best Bank 2026 and Botswana's Best Bank for ESG 2026. The recognition comes as the bank celebrates 35 years of operations in Botswana.

    29 July 2026 · Weekend Post

  2. New tax bracket, 27.5% rate on income above P400,000

    Botswana's Income Tax Act changes effective July 1 introduce a new top individual tax bracket with a marginal tax rate of 27.5% on annual income exceeding P400,000, and provide greater clarity on taxation of employee benefits and staff of international organisations and embassies.

    29 July 2026 · Mmegi

  3. Bank of Botswana tightens electronic money regulations

    The central bank introduced amendments to electronic money and money transfer service regulations effective April 2, aligning the framework with re-enacted financial crime legislation and international standards. Key changes include clearer licensing requirements, increased penalties for unlicensed operation, and permission for licensees to pay interest on customer electronic money balances to support product innovation.

    29 July 2026 · Mmegi

  4. Women Entrepreneurship and Business event scheduled for August

    The Women Entrepreneurship and Business initiative is scheduled for August 1 at Thwaza Vintage garden in Letlhakane, created to address challenges faced by women entrepreneurs.

    29 July 2026 · Mmegi

Mining & Energy

  1. Lucara recovers 1,305-carat diamond at Karowe mine

    Lucara Botswana presented a 1,305.4-carat diamond recovered at Karowe Diamond Mine to President Boko. The stone is the tenth weighing over 1,000 carats recovered at the mine since operations began, and the minister noted the diamond market is on a rebound with strong demand for large stones.

    29 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Agriculture & Land

  1. Poultry industry achieves self-sufficiency in meat and eggs

    Parliament was informed that Botswana's poultry industry has achieved self-sufficiency in chicken meat and eggs and is preparing to enter export markets, with the industry's value expected to grow from P3.5 billion to P10 billion by 2030.

    29 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Society

  1. Kgaodi reaches 85th blood donation, urges regular donors

    A blood donor in Gaborone will mark his 85th donation on July 29 at the National Blood Transfusion Centre, describing it as a proud milestone after 27 years of service and calling on Batswana to become regular donors.

    29 July 2026 · Mmegi

  2. Letsile Tebogo launches foundation to support cancer patients

    Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo launched the Letsile Tebogo Charitable Foundation to assist cancer patients, survivors and their families. At the July 28 launch in Gaborone, speakers emphasised that supporting cancer survivors requires collective effort across government, healthcare professionals, the corporate sector, civil society and individual citizens.

    29 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

  3. Magistrate convicts man of rape in Ramotswa case

    Loeto was convicted of a rape charge dating to July 28, 2024, at Ramotswa Magistrate Court. He is suspected to be a serial rapist in close to 20 rape cases with the same modus operandi and is currently charged with three counts of rape.

    29 July 2026 · Mmegi

  4. Letsile Tebogo Charitable Foundation launches with cancer focus

    The Letsile Tebogo Charitable Foundation has been officially launched to support cancer survivors and their families while promoting awareness, early detection, and improved access to support services. Orange Botswana has committed P250,000 towards the initiative.

    29 July 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

Culture

  1. Big Brother Naija Season 11 premieres with 24 housemates

    The 11th season of Big Brother Naija premiered with 24 housemates (12 females and 12 males) from across Nigeria competing for a ₦160 million grand prize and the title of winner. The season is themed "Show ya sef" and airs on DStv channel 198.

    29 July 2026 · Weekend Post

  2. Botswana pursues repatriation of artefacts held abroad

    Botswana has launched a repatriation drive to recover artefacts held in museums worldwide, particularly in the UK and USA, many collected in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Khama III Memorial Museum curator noted that 45 items from Brighton and Hove museums in the UK have been returned, prompting broader awareness of Botswana artefacts scattered globally.

    29 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

  3. Botswana pursues repatriation of artefacts from abroad

    Botswana is undertaking a drive to repatriate artefacts scattered around the world, particularly in UK and US museums. Forty-five items collected by Rev. William Willoughby in the 1890s from GaMmangwato territory were returned from Brighton and Hove museums, prompting further efforts to locate other Botswana artefacts.

    29 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

  4. Botswana's first Creators Assembly Summit attracts major names

    Botswana's inaugural Creators Assembly Summit is featuring prominent figures including actor Sello Maake kaNcube, media figure Samuel Ngwenya, and Scar, aiming to highlight creativity as a serious business sector.

    29 July 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

  5. Katlego Ramphaleng's My Rich Kasi Lifestyle redefines success

    Katlego Ramphaleng's My Rich Kasi Lifestyle challenges conventional luxury narratives, arguing that real wealth is found in purpose, multiple income streams, and staying rooted in the township that raised her.

    29 July 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

Sport

  1. South African Betway Premiership season opens with Orlando Pirates defending title

    The Betway Premiership returns on 1 and 2 August with defending champions Orlando Pirates, who ended Mamelodi Sundowns' eight-title run, facing newly promoted Milford FC in their opening fixture. Sundowns host Marumo Gallants in their season opener, while Kaizer Chiefs, under new French coach Fernando da Cruz, face newly promoted Kruger United.

    29 July 2026 · Weekend Post

  2. GM Soccer Fiesta kicks off with multiple division draws

    Gaborone's Soccer Fiesta tournament, sponsored by Barloworld Equipment with P400,000, runs Friday to Sunday with matches across men's, women's, and social club divisions. Entry is P30 on Friday and Saturday, free on Sunday.

    29 July 2026 · Mmegi

  3. Botswana Boxing Association on track with 2026 calendar

    The Botswana Boxing Association says it has largely kept to its 2026 calendar, with major competitions, club development and national team programmes continuing as planned.

    29 July 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

  4. Botswana outlines sports governance strengthening at Commonwealth meetings

    Botswana reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening sports integrity and positioning sport as a key contributor to economic development during Interministerial Meetings held on the sidelines of Commonwealth gatherings in Glasgow.

    29 July 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

  5. Premier league teams compete in Jwaneng soccer fiesta

    Four premier league teams, including Namibian club African Stars, will compete at the 5th Jwaneng Mine General Manager's Soccer Fiesta this weekend. The tournament aims to help local teams prepare for the season ahead while raising proceeds for the village of Thankane.

    29 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

  6. IPC trains 55 locals in para sport development pathway

    The International Paralympic Committee held a two-day training in Mochudi that enrolled 55 trainees in para sports, followed by a festival featuring blind football, wheelchair tennis, goal ball, para-athletics, and para powerlifting. The initiative, sponsored by IPC and Toyota Mobility Foundation, aims to scout talent and prepare local athletes for international Paralympic Games by building awareness and coaching capacity in Botswana.

    29 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Botswana Minute