Botswana Minute

Thursday, 30 July 2026

Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026

Thursday, 30 July 2026

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Politics

P423 million PKI digital project stalls after DIS takeover

The News

Botswana's P423 million Public Key Infrastructure system, meant to secure digital identities and government services, has stalled after control was transferred from the Ministry of Communications and Infrastructure to the Directorate of Intelligence and Security over national security concerns. The system remains incomplete and non-operational with no clear accountability or timeline for resolution, as revealed during a Public Accounts Committee hearing.

30 July 2026 · Weekend Post →

Politics

P423 million PKI digital project stalls after DIS takeover
Botswana's P423 million Public Key Infrastructure system, meant to secure digital identities and government services, has stalled after control was transferred from the Ministry of Communications and Infrastructure to the Directorate of Intelligence and Security over national security concerns. The system remains incomplete and non-operational with no clear accountability or timeline for resolution, as revealed during a Public Accounts Committee hearing.
30 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
President Boko urges African unity on resources and development
President Duma Boko called on African countries to overcome colonial-era stereotypes and language barriers to work together in harnessing the continent's natural resources and building shared prosperity. Speaking during a courtesy call by Côte d'Ivoire's Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, Boko emphasised the need to move beyond extraction and commit to deeper cooperation and stronger value chains across Africa.
30 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Business

Bank Gaborone launches digital account opening platform
Bank Gaborone has launched a Self-Onboarding platform allowing customers to open a bank account remotely in as little as 15 minutes through the Bank Gaborone website without visiting a branch. Botswana citizens with a valid Omang can open either an Easy Save or Easy Transact account by completing the application process online, including identity verification and electronic document signing.
30 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
African Development Bank funds vaccine facility in South Africa
The African Development Bank has provided a $15 million loan to Biovac, a South African vaccine manufacturer, to develop a multi-vaccine facility in Cape Town that will increase Africa's domestic vaccine production capacity and create about 340 jobs.
30 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
Business Botswana urges practical rollout of new tax laws
Business Botswana has urged BURS to adopt a practical and collaborative approach to implementing new tax laws, emphasizing that timing, flexibility, and stakeholder support are critical as enterprises navigate current economic pressures. The Acting Commissioner for Domestic Taxes said the reforms aim to build a tax system that supports enterprises, encourages investment, rewards compliance, and creates certainty.
30 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
Puma Energy Botswana invests in infrastructure and digital technology
Puma Energy Botswana is doubling down on infrastructure investment and embracing technology to reposition itself as an integrated energy logistics business rather than just a filling station operator.
30 July 2026 · Mmegi →
Cyber resilience central to Botswana's digital transformation
As Botswana organisations accelerate digital adoption through cloud computing and AI, cyber security must be integrated into these initiatives rather than treated separately, according to a Liquid Intelligent Technologies perspective on achieving the country's digital transformation goals.
30 July 2026 · Weekend Post →

Mining & Energy

Oil prices surge after Middle East conflict escalation
Brent crude jumped past $86 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate climbed above $82 on July 29, 2026, after Iran launched ballistic missiles at American forces and the U.S. and Saudi Arabia launched retaliatory strikes. Financial advisory leaders warn the spike signals geopolitical risk that markets had underestimated.
30 July 2026 · Weekend Post →

Agriculture & Land

KOINAPHU Trust transforms indigenous plants into livestock feed
The KOINAPHU Trust, representing villages Kokotsha, Inalegolo and Phuduhudu in the Kgalagadi, is producing fodder from indigenous plants like Prosopis, Motlopi and Mogonono to address livestock feed shortages and create employment. The project, funded by Forest Conservation Botswana since 2019, employs five workers and aims to generate income for the communities.
30 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Society

BIUST scholar wins inaugural African prostate cancer fellowship
Ms. Umuna Maendo, a first-year PhD student at Botswana International University of Science and Technology, has been named the inaugural recipient of the HEROIC Prostate Cancer Precision Health Africa1K Fellowship, which will enable her to join the Ancestry and Health Genomics Laboratory at the University of Sydney under the mentorship of Professor Vanessa Hayes.
30 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
Moremong acquitted of robbery despite driving getaway car
Moremong, sole survivor of a 2022 massacre that killed four robbers and two civilians, was acquitted of robbery charges. The magistrate ruled that although he drove the getaway vehicle used in the Sefalana Cash and Carry robbery, the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that he knew about the planned robbery or intentionally participated in it.
30 July 2026 · Mmegi →

Culture

Sefalana and Robertson Winery host potjie competition in August
Sefalana and South Africa's Robertson Winery will host the Robertson Winery Potjie Competition on 1 August 2026 at BotswanaCraft in Gaborone, celebrating Botswana's tradition of potjie cooking—a slow-cooked meal prepared in cast-iron pots—and bringing together local food culture with fine wine.
30 July 2026 · Weekend Post →

Sport

Zambian champions Nkana tour Botswana for inaugural Tati River Cup
Zambian record league champions Nkana will compete in the inaugural Tati River Cup on Friday 8 August in Francistown, facing Township Rollers, TAFIC Sporting Club, and Tonota FC as part of their pre-season preparation for the 2026-27 campaign.
30 July 2026 · Mmegi →
GM Soccer Fiesta tournament drives community development in Jwaneng
The GM Soccer Fiesta, held annually in Jwaneng since 2022, has raised funds for school hostel renovations, a new clinic, and a women's football team, with surplus revenue reinvested into community projects. The fifth edition takes place July 31 to August 2.
30 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
FIFA proposes $20B World Cup privatization amid UEFA opposition
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced plans to create FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a commercial entity that would control the World Cup with private investor involvement, raising billions by selling minority stakes in commercial rights. The proposal has sparked fierce opposition from UEFA, the European football governing body.
30 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
Four Northern Region clubs compete in Francistown charity football tournament
Four football teams from the Northern Region will compete in the Bet267 Charity Spectacular on Saturday in Francistown, with tournament proceeds dedicated to infrastructure development of the children's ward at Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital. The event, which has secured sponsorship worth more than P350,000, will feature matches, entertainment, and dignitaries including the Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship.
30 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
Nowe and Masalela reach Commonwealth Games finals
Oratile Nowe, the 800-metre national record holder, qualified for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games 800m final on July 31 after running 2:00.60 in the semi-final heat. Tshepiso Masalela became the first Botswanan to reach the Commonwealth Games one-mile final, though Kemorena Tiisang missed the 400m hurdles final after finishing fourth.
30 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
Kasane mini stadium reaches 90% completion with new contractor
The Kasane mini stadium is nearing completion at 90 per cent progress after a contractor change, with the Ministry of Sport and Arts and Chobe District Council enlisting Turf Specialist Botswana (Pty) Ltd in April 2025 at P7.1 million. The facility is intended to diversify the local economy and cultivate sport and events tourism in the Chobe district.
30 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
Sunbet commits P4 million to Gaborone United sponsorship
Betting operator Sunbet has announced a P4 million sponsorship for Gaborone United over the next two seasons, deepening its investment in Botswana sport.
30 July 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →
Orange Phikwe Marathon returns to Selebi-Phikwe this weekend
The Orange Phikwe National Marathon is set to take place at Sam Sono Stadium in Selebi-Phikwe, featuring elite and recreational runners from Botswana and neighbouring countries. The event is organised by the Selebi-Phikwe Town Council in partnership with Orange Botswana.
30 July 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →
Botswana outlines sports governance and economic growth plans
At Commonwealth meetings in Glasgow, Botswana outlined plans to strengthen sports governance while positioning the sector as a driver of economic growth and investment.
30 July 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →
Debswana Jwaneng Mine soccer event enters fifth edition
The Debswana Jwaneng Mine GM's Soccer Fiesta will return July 31 to August 2 for its fifth edition, with organisers reporting rising attendance and fundraising have enabled health and education projects in communities.
30 July 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

World & Region

Funding cuts threaten global progress against HIV by 2030
UNAIDS reports that while HIV infections and AIDS deaths have reached their lowest levels in over 30 years, the world is no longer on track to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, with an estimated one million more new HIV infections and 400,000 additional AIDS-related deaths than if global targets had been met in 2025.
30 July 2026 · Weekend Post →

Opinion

CEO warns AI trade's financial sustainability is precarious
Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group, warns that the AI sector is financing itself in a closed loop with fragile underpinnings, while Asia's semiconductor sell-off exposes the risks beneath the trillion-dollar spectacle. Green also highlights China's emergence as a formidable competitor in the sector.
30 July 2026 · Weekend Post →