Starting May 1, China will implement its zero-tariff policy for all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, demonstrating the nation's commitment to expanding high-standard opening up and providing new development opportunities for Africa. …
… test support for Botswana’s historic hosting of the World Athletics Relays has come from the diamond sector.Debswana, the Okavango Diamond Company and Lucara are pumping in tens of millions of Pula into the prestigious event, which in coming to Gaborone, marks its debut in Africa …
… The President described Algeria as a remarkable country and the largest by landmass in Africa, adding that its vast potential presented opportunities for both nations to further strengthen their partnership. …
… Created with immense attention to detail and crafted with great precision and skill, the headline feature of these medals is a first for Africa and a masterstroke of luxury, a genuine and natural diamond studded into the crest of every single medal. …
Botswana's music and entertainment industry generates millions through concerts and sponsorships but loses long-term value because creators rarely register intellectual property like trademarks and brand equity. While the country ranks 58th globally in innovation inputs, it falls to 116th in creative outputs, reflecting a broader African trend where national trademark registries account for less than two percent of global filings annually.
Botswana's music and entertainment industry generates millions through concerts and sponsorships but loses long-term value because creators rarely register intellectual property like trademarks and brand equity. While the country ranks 58th globally in innovation inputs, it falls to 116th in creative outputs, reflecting a broader African trend where national trademark registries account for less than two percent of global filings annually.
The University of Botswana will name one of its buildings after the Kengalogile family, who donated land for the establishment of the Okavango Research Institute. The pledge recognises the family's philanthropic contribution and their belief in education as an enduring investment.
Experts are calling for an Africa-centred research agenda in the search for an HIV cure, arguing that scientific breakthroughs must be designed to meet the unique realities and healthcare systems of African populations. According to Professor Catherine Koofhethile from the Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Africa recorded approximately 663,000 new HIV infections and 396,000 AIDS-related deaths in 2023, falling short of global targets, and ending HIV requires a coordinated international response.
According to the 2026 Ibrahim Index of African Governance, Botswana has experienced a decade-long deterioration in its anti-corruption performance, putting pressure on the country's reputation as one of Africa's strongest governance performers.
Numeral Group is backing the expansion of South African digital tipping platform Tipped.biz across Africa, addressing the challenge of declining cash use that threatens service workers' supplementary income by enabling customers to tip via personalised QR codes and mobile banking apps.
According to the Ibrahim Index of African Governance 2026, Botswana's score has dropped 8.6 points over the past decade and now ranks sixth in Africa with a score of 57.8, placing it among five African nations showing severe declines in anti-corruption efforts since 2016. The report flags Botswana as experiencing "Increasing Deterioration," signaling an acceleration of decline since 2021.
CEO Africa Roundtable founder Kenias Mafukidze announced commitments to establish an investment desk, deliver three bankable flagship projects by 2027, and bring annual CEO delegations to Botswana, as part of a vision to help double the economy from $20 billion to $40 billion by 2036 through diversification away from raw commodity exports toward high-value industries including digital innovation, renewable energy, agro-processing, and tourism.
Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino has introduced house wines—Cabernet, Rosé, and Sauvignon Blanc—with sales proceeds supporting the protection of Africa's threatened wildlife.
Female Anopheles mosquitoes continue to transmit malaria across Africa, claiming approximately 580,000 lives in 2022 alone—over 95% of global malaria deaths—and disproportionately affecting children under five and pregnant women, despite decades of intervention efforts.
Netflix has released "The Polygamist," a 22-episode telenovela adapted from Zimbabwean author Sue Nyathi's 2012 novel, which follows four women involved with a wealthy banking magnate and explores themes of polygamy, gender dynamics, and wealth in contemporary Zimbabwe.
Kamogelo Molatlhwa, founder of the Historic Walk initiative, plans to walk approximately 11,149 kilometres from Cape Town to Cairo starting October 1, 2026, to raise continental awareness about gender-based violence and unite governments, communities, and citizens in confronting the crisis.
Kagiso Rantsha, through Solution Point, is building technology infrastructure designed to connect disparate business systems—customer relationship management, marketing, events, and field operations—to address what he identifies as the core problem of disconnected tools and fragmented organizational experiences despite heavy technology investment.
University of Botswana's Innovation Pod (UniPod), supported by the UN Development Programme, hosts startups and innovation programs using advanced technology like 3D printers and laser cutters. The facility aims to bridge academic research and commercial enterprise while supporting Botswana's shift toward a knowledge-based economy.
Botswana stores approximately 300 tonnes of confiscated elephant tusks in government facilities, valued at potentially $60–90 million at international market rates, but the stockpile cannot be sold due to existing international trade restrictions. The seized ivory results from anti-poaching efforts and law enforcement confiscations, and its storage incurs ongoing costs for safeguarding.
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.