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Monday, 26 October 2026
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Monday, 26 October 2026
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Archive Minute from Monday, 26 October 2026
Politics

BNF questions BPF's role in Sefhophe by-election loss

The News

After the UDC coalition's defeat in the Sefhophe council by-election, some BNF members are seeking clarity on the BPF's decision to contest, which they believe contributed to the coalition's loss. The dispute has prompted questions within BNF about the terms of cooperation with the BPF, which is not an affiliate of the opposition coalition.

19 hours ago · Mmegi →

Politics

  1. BNF questions BPF's role in Sefhophe by-election loss

    After the UDC coalition's defeat in the Sefhophe council by-election, some BNF members are seeking clarity on the BPF's decision to contest, which they believe contributed to the coalition's loss. The dispute has prompted questions within BNF about the terms of cooperation with the BPF, which is not an affiliate of the opposition coalition.

    19 hours ago · Mmegi →

  2. BCP wins Mmadinare by-election, shifts local political balance

    The Botswana Congress Party won a by-election in the Mmadinare constituency, ending the Botswana Democratic Party's dominance in the area since independence. The result reflects a significant political shift in the region, with implications for UDC coalition partners.

    19 hours ago · Mmegi →

  3. UDC faces internal tensions and Mmadinare membership loss

    The UDC is navigating growing internal wrangles, factional tensions, and member complaints over leadership accountability, amid reports of a resignation from a Mmadinare councillor. The party faces unresolved issues stemming from its last Palapye elective congress.

    19 hours ago · Mmegi →

  4. BNF veterans propose cadre deployment strategy for party influence

    BNF veterans Tladi and Mmereki have drafted a position paper proposing that the party establish a mechanism for placing cadres in government departments and state-owned enterprises to strengthen political influence and coordinate policy implementation. This challenges former president Otsweletse Moupo's warning against turning political appointments into rewards for party loyalty, with the cadre deployment issue set to be debated at the party's leadership forum in Selebi-Phikwe.

    19 hours ago · Mmegi →

  5. BCP claims growth despite losing three recent by-elections

    The Botswana Congress Party reported increased voter numbers compared to the last General Election, despite losing three by-elections, with party president Dumelang Saleshando stating the figures demonstrate party growth and strengthened grassroots structures ahead of the 2029 polls.

    19 hours ago · Mmegi →

Business

  1. DStv launches new package line-up for evolved customer preferences

    MultiChoice Botswana has unveiled a new DStv package line-up designed around current viewing habits, offering clearer choices, more accessible content, and value tailored to different preferences including African storytelling, international series, movies, and live sport.

    11 hours ago · Mmegi →

  2. Botswana Trade Portal simplifies import-export procedures

    The Botswana Investment and Trade Centre developed the Botswana Trade Portal to reduce bureaucratic delays in importing and exporting. The platform centralizes import and export procedures, regulatory requirements, tariffs, duties, documentation, and standards in one location, and includes a Trade Facilitation Enquiry Point where traders can seek assistance.

    12 hours ago · Mmegi →

  3. Business Botswana summit discusses economic diversification beyond diamonds

    Attendees at a Business Botswana summit agreed that an economy reliant solely on diamonds is unsustainable and called for diversifying economic opportunities. The article notes that despite high unemployment at home, Botswana is exporting jobs to neighbouring countries, citing a condom manufacturing company owned by a Motswana entrepreneur in South Africa as an example.

    10 hours ago · Mmegi →

  4. Botswana consumers optimistic despite financial strain

    A TransUnion Consumer Pulse Survey found that 71 percent of Botswana consumers expect their household income to increase over the next 12 months, despite mounting household pressures, declining confidence in credit access, and rising exposure to digital fraud.

    12 hours ago · Botswana Sunday Standard →

  5. Bank of Botswana to auction P4.2 billion in securities

    Botswana will seek P4.2 billion from investors through an auction of Treasury bills and government bonds on October 30, conducted under the P85 billion Government Note Programme, with settlement on November 4. The government continues to rely on domestic borrowing to finance its budgetary needs amid pressure on public finances.

    12 hours ago · Botswana Sunday Standard →

  6. Botswana's fuel prices rise, adding to business and household costs

    Effective from 23 October, diesel 50ppm increased by P2.83 per litre to P23.76 and unleaded petrol 95 rose by P1.54 to P19.75, according to the Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority. The increases are set to raise transport and operating costs for businesses and add to inflationary pressures on households.

    12 hours ago · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Mining & Energy

  1. De Beers sells more diamonds at lower prices

    De Beers sold substantially more rough diamonds in the first nine months of 2026, with sales volumes rising 37 percent to 24.55 million carats, but revenue fell $361 million to $2.04 billion as declining prices offset higher sales volumes.

    12 hours ago · Botswana Sunday Standard →

  2. De Beers invests P1 billion in Botswana's economic diversification fund

    De Beers Group has injected an initial P1 billion into Botswana's Diamonds for Development Fund, a government–De Beers partnership designed to channel capital into enterprise development and build alternative sources of economic growth beyond diamonds.

    12 hours ago · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Agriculture & Land

  1. Kweneng Land Board allows compensation-in-kind beneficiaries residential plots

    The Kweneng Land Board has resolved to permit beneficiaries of the compensation-in-kind policy to receive their promised 10 residential plots, ending a long dispute over an arrangement intended to compensate land owners for surrendering agricultural holdings.

    19 hours ago · Mmegi →

  2. Government considers easing agricultural lending requirements

    Government is considering easing agricultural lending requirements as foot-and-mouth disease and the threat of El Niño-induced drought increase pressure on Botswana's farming sector. The Assistant Minister of Lands and Agriculture has urged state-owned lenders, including CEDA, to reconsider loan conditions and repayment structures limiting farmers' access to capital.

    12 hours ago · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Society

  1. Police questioning over pseudonymous Facebook comments raises identity disclosure questions

    Two persons were taken in for questioning by Botswana police over comments on posts from a pseudonymous Facebook account, prompting questions about how police can identify anonymous account holders when harm occurs.

    13 hours ago · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Sport

  1. Botswana goalkeeper Phoko exits South African club Siwelele

    Goitseone Phoko, a Botswana international goalkeeper who signed a two-year contract with South African club Siwelele FC in June after a strong Africa Cup of Nations performance, is negotiating an exit after four months. According to sources, his departure follows the departure of the coach who signed him, Lehlohonolo Seema.

    9 hours ago · Weekend Post →

World & Region

  1. Botswana secures Tier 2 standing in US trafficking assessment

    Botswana's first trafficking conviction in four years, which resulted in a fifteen-year prison sentence, has helped the country maintain its Tier 2 standing in the US Department of State's 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report.

    9 hours ago · Weekend Post →

Opinion

  1. Botswana studies Ghana's national health insurance lessons

    Following Parliament's adoption of Botswana's National Health Insurance Policy in August 2026, an opinion piece examines Ghana's two-decade-old National Health Insurance Scheme, which has expanded healthcare access and financial protection but faced challenges in provider payments, financing sustainability, institutional coordination, and service quality.

    13 hours ago · Botswana Sunday Standard →

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