… As healthcare systems evolve globally, with a particular focus on Africa’s rising healthcare challenges, emergency medicine is emerging as an indispensable pillar of modern medical care. …
Botswana has recorded a sharp 20-percentage-point decline in perceptions of media freedom over the past five years, placing it among the steepest fallers in Africa, according to the latest Afrobarometer survey GAZETTE REPORTER Botswana has recorded a sharp 20 percentage-point dec …
Speaking during a press conference held at India House last week ahead of the upcoming Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV), the Indian High Commissioner to Botswana, Bharath Kumar Kuthati said the summit comes at a critical moment when developing countries are facing growi …
… The track surface was constructed with a Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) base sourced from South Africa, topped by a final Kencoat layer imported from Turkey. …
… According to research from the International Energy Agency, LPG consumption in Africa has surged due to urbanization, population growth, and efforts to reduce reliance on biomass fuels like firewood and charcoal. …
… Ordinary citizens, heads of state, and dignitaries from across Africa gathered to honour a man whose life bridged humble village roots and global statesmanship. …
May 17 will forever be engraved in the hearts of local football lovers as winds of change blew in the direction of Botswana in respect to leading football in the Southern Africa region. …
… Because while World Press Freedom Day was born in Africa - from the 1991 Windhoek Declaration in Namibia, where African journalists declared that independent and pluralistic media is essential to democracy and development - countries such as Botswana are now quietly drifting away …
TransUnion's 2025 research found suspected digital fraud in Botswana at 0.9% of transaction attempts, the lowest across African nations and below the global average of 3.8%. Account creation showed the highest fraud incidence at 2.6%, followed by login attempts at 0.8% and financial transactions at 0.5%.
Why it matters
Botswana ranks lowest in digital fraud across Africa at 0.9%, a significant achievement in financial security that reflects well on the country's digital ecosystem and consumer protection.
TransUnion's 2025 research found suspected digital fraud in Botswana at 0.9% of transaction attempts, the lowest across African nations and below the global average of 3.8%. Account creation showed the highest fraud incidence at 2.6%, followed by login attempts at 0.8% and financial transactions at 0.5%.
A US official stated that the enduring relationship between the United States and Botswana is built on shared values, citing the fact that the US is the world's oldest democracy and Botswana is Africa's oldest multi-party democracy, both sharing belief in the rule of law and government by elected officials.
According to a World Economic Forum report, geopolitical tensions and economic fragmentation are costing the global economy between $213 billion and $307 billion annually while adding 0.2 to 0.3 percentage points to global inflation. The fragmentation increasingly affects closely allied economies such as the EU, Canada, Japan, and South Korea, as economic security measures like tariffs and sanctions are deployed among allies rather than just rivals.
The University of Botswana Alumni Symposium 2026, themed "Architects of Transformation: Mobilizing Alumni Excellence for UB," brought together graduates, researchers, and corporate partners to strengthen institutional synergy and support national development agendas. Vice Chancellor Professor David Norris highlighted the university's four-decade role in national development and its 2020–2029 strategic plan focused on sustainable knowledge generation and modernized curriculum.
Notwane and Maun Heroes netball clubs have submitted a letter to the BONA national executive committee calling for the ouster of the vice president-technical, citing failures in coordinating technical structures, advancing coaching and umpiring standards, and concerns over merit-based coaching appointments and athlete selection.
Etsogile Ngwako, a certified World Boxing International Referee and Judge, has been appointed to officiate at the 2026 World Boxing Cup in Guizhou, China, from June 15-22. The Botswana Boxing Association hailed the appointment as a significant achievement reflecting growing international recognition of Botswana's technical officials.
An auction organised by CityFan Live and the Museum Café at the National Museum will feature paintings created during the Final Stroke campaign, a two-day show held at the Debswana World Athletics Relays a month ago. The initiative was created to provide empowerment opportunities for visual artists during the global sporting event.
A new report launched in Botswana warned of rising tobacco and nicotine industry influence, particularly targeting young people through vaping, and called for urgent finalisation and implementation of regulations under the Tobacco Control Act (2021). The 2025 Botswana Tobacco Industry Interference Index Report noted Botswana's global leadership in tobacco control while highlighting the need to operationalise existing legislation.
After months of resistance from BNOC and NADO, Justice Segopolo ordered the release of ADAMS system login details to four athletes—Karabo Mothibi, Lydia Jele, Refilwe Murangi, and Zibane Ngozi—who had been provisionally suspended following positive doping tests that they deny.
Deputy Permanent Secretary for Broadcasting and Information Services Tshireletso Motlogelwa warned that piracy and unregulated artificial intelligence could threaten Botswana's cultural identity and economic future unless stronger protections for the creative industry are implemented. He urged Botswana to recognise creativity as a major driver of economic growth and employment, and to protect local creators from exploitation.
As Emergency Medicine Day approaches on May 27, the specialty is being highlighted for its growing importance in addressing global healthcare challenges, particularly in Africa where fewer than 10% have access to formal emergency medical services amid rising population growth, road accidents, and infectious disease outbreaks.
A new generation of African filmmakers is transforming the industry by creating authentic, locally-driven stories that counter external stereotypes, with initiatives like MultiChoice's pan-African Talent Factory equipping emerging creators with technical skills and industry access as streaming platforms invest heavily in local content.
Botswana has recorded a 20 percentage-point decline in perceptions of media freedom over the past five years, placing it among the steepest fallers in Africa, according to the latest Afrobarometer survey.
Ahead of the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit, India's High Commissioner to Botswana said the summit comes when developing countries face challenges from geopolitical tensions, climate change, inflation, food insecurity, and disruptions in global trade and energy supply chains. He emphasized that trusted partnerships based on mutual respect and cooperation are increasingly important amid global uncertainty and transition.
Botswana's National Stadium has rapidly gained recognition as one of the world's fastest tracks following record-breaking performances at the 2026 World Athletics Relays, where three world records fell in mixed 4x100m relays and Botswana's men's 4x400m relay team set a new African and championship record time of 2:54.47.
The Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority is developing a new pricing framework for liquefied petroleum gas to be completed by December, aiming to increase transparency and prevent anti-competitive practices in a market dominated by five importers. The move addresses concerns about market concentration and collusion risks as LPG demand grows among households and businesses.
Citizens and African dignitaries gathered to honour Mogae, whose 1998–2008 presidency coincided with Botswana's diamond-driven growth and was defined by his response to the HIV/AIDS crisis, marked by open advocacy and comprehensive prevention and treatment programmes.
Tariq Babitseng, Botswana Football Association president, was elected unopposed to the top seat of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) on May 17, becoming the second Motswana to lead the organization since its inception in 1992. Babitseng said he would retain his BFA position while ensuring both roles received proper attention, and noted that unity prevailed during the elective congress.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the USA, Mexico and Canada, will feature 48 nations and will be broadcast live on DStv, with matches available anytime and anywhere.
On World Press Freedom Day, Mmegi warns that Botswana is "quietly drifting away" from independent and pluralistic media principles, with the media environment increasingly reflecting "quiet return of media capture" despite optimism after the 2024 political transition.
Mogae battled to defend natural diamonds and Botswana's development story against market disruption and lab-grown alternatives, a fight rooted in the 1990s when diamonds became linked to Africa's bloodiest wars.
Global finance professionals' confidence has plunged to pandemic-era lows due to Middle East conflict and soaring commodity prices, with the Strait of Hormuz closure reducing maritime traffic by 95 percent and energy prices projected to surge 24 percent. Africa's GDP growth is forecast to lose 0.2 percentage points in 2026 as soaring fuel and fertilizer costs threaten agricultural output.
Botswana and Rwanda have signed a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement to eliminate double taxation on income earned in both countries and deepen economic ties. Officials say the pact will attract foreign direct investment and ease cross-border business expansion, though concerns remain about potential revenue losses and tax avoidance risks.
The fourth India-Africa Forum Summit will take place May 28–31 in New Delhi under the theme "IA SPIRIT: India Africa Strategic Partnership for Innovation, Resilience, and Inclusive Transformation." India's High Commissioner to Botswana described the summit as reaffirming partnership on shared challenges and aspirations, aimed at strengthening resilience, deepening economic engagement, and showcasing governance and development initiatives over the past decade.
Despite representing 54 of FIFA's 210 members, Africa waited 80 years to host its first World Cup (South Africa, 2010) and has never hosted Olympic Games or Commonwealth Games, with organisational capabilities frequently questioned. FIFA abolished its continental rotation policy in October 2007, effective from the 2018 bidding process.
At the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, athletes Simbine and Tebogo framed their victory and qualification as a continental achievement for Africa, not only a national one.
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.
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.
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.
The World Athletics Championships is being held in Africa for the first time, with Botswana as the host country welcoming athletes from around the world to compete.