Botswana Minute.
Friday, 16 October 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Friday, 16 October 2026
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Botswanan press · Organization

Bank of Botswana

Also known as: BoB · MPC

Botswana's central bank, responsible for managing foreign reserves, monetary policy, and government securities auctions.

2026-04-282026-10-16

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. July 2026
  2. The Botswana Gazette

    The Bank of Botswana says reducing food imports and expanding exports beyond diamonds are crucial to preserving reserves and strengthening economic resilience BONGANI MALUNGA Bank of Botswana Governor Lesego Moseki has renewed calls for Botswana to accelerate import substitution, …

    BoB Touts Import Substitution to Shield Botswana’s Foreign Reserves
  3. The Botswana Gazette

    Realised investment gains and foreign exchange sales helped the Bank of Botswana post P5.2 billion in net income despite major unrealised market losses. …

    BoB Posts P5.2bn Profit
  4. Weekend Post

    … Recent figures from the Bank of Botswana reveal some positive signs in the government’s finances during the first 11 months of the 2025/2026 financial year (April 2025 – March 2026). …

    Fiscal challenges set to deepen as the cost of Gov’t debt climbs
  5. Weekend Post

    The Bank of Botswana (BoB) has issued a stark warning: any postponements in rolling out the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP) risk undermining the country’s fragile economic recovery and prolonging the growth challenges that have plagued the nation over the past t …

    BoB warns delays in BETP could jeopardize economic recovery
  6. June 2026
  7. CEO Roundtable in Gaborone to discuss economic diversification

    1. Botswana Sunday Standard

      Sunday Standard Economy tipped for recovery after weathering prolonged mining downturn Botswana’s economy is expected to return to growth this year after enduring two consecutive years of contraction, with the Bank of Botswana projecting a recovery driven by improving mining acti …

      Economy tipped for recovery after weathering prolonged mining downturn
    2. Botswana Sunday Standard

      Sunday Standard Diamond slump exposes need to rebuild forex reserves Botswana must urgently rebuild its foreign exchange reserves after a prolonged downturn in the diamond industry exposed the country’s vulnerability to external shocks, the Bank of Botswana has warned. …

      Diamond slump exposes need to rebuild forex reserves
    3. Botswana Sunday Standard

      Sunday Standard BoB Governor: Botswana can’t wait for diamonds to recover Bank of Botswana Governor Lesego Moseki has warned that Botswana must accelerate economic reforms rather than wait for a recovery in the diamond market, arguing that the prolonged downturn has exposed deep …

      BoB Governor: Botswana can’t wait for diamonds to recover
  8. Botswana Sunday Standard

    Sunday Standard Central Bank swells cash holdings in strategic reserve shift The Bank of Botswana substantially increased its cash holdings in 2025, prioritising liquidity management as realised investment gains and foreign-exchange trading profits helped cushion a modest decline …

    Central Bank swells cash holdings in strategic reserve shift
  9. Mmegi

    … mist, Raymond Gilpin, noted that the organisation has assembled a consortium of 15 credit rating experts to support African countries in navigating the sovereign credit rating process and enhancing fiscal space for sustainable development financing.Meanwhile, the Bank of Botswana …

    Gov't engages on credit ratings
  10. Weekend Post

    … At a recent Monetary Policy Committee briefing, officials from the Bank of Botswana revealed that the government collected over P4 billion from diamond royalties and dividends during this period, an increase over the same quarter last year. …

    Botswana’s diamond sales surge past P9 Billion

Wednesday 14 October

  1. Foreign reserves reach 23-month high of P63.2 billion

    Bank of Botswana figures show foreign reserves at P63.2 billion in July 2026, up seven percent from June and 32% from July 2025, with the increase concentrated in short-term transaction balances.

    14 October 2026 · Mmegi →

Monday 12 October

  1. Botswana's economy expands 8.7% on diamond output surge

    Botswana's economy expanded by 8.7 percent in the second quarter of 2026, driven by a surge in diamond output from mines that had been throttled during a downturn. Diamond production climbed to about 3.4 million carats from 2.7 million the previous quarter, with De Beers reporting Botswana accounted for 5.5 million carats in the period.

    12 October 2026 · Weekend Post →

  2. Bank of Botswana raises P3.1 billion in government securities auction

    The Bank of Botswana raised P3.1 billion at its September government securities auction, bringing estimated net securities financing for the first half of the 2026/27 financial year to about P6.45 billion. The improved budget outlook could reduce the government's original financing requirement.

    12 October 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

  3. Banks' "special mention" loans surge to P5.5 billion

    Loans classified as "special mention" by Botswana's banking sector increased 78.3% from P3.1 billion in 2024 to P5.5 billion in 2025, reflecting mounting financial pressure on borrowers amid job losses, business closures, and economic slowdown.

    12 October 2026 · Mmegi →

  4. Moody's upgrades Botswana outlook from negative to stable

    Moody's Ratings has upgraded Botswana's economic outlook to stable, affirming confidence in the country's strong credit fundamentals and investment-grade status. The upgrade reflects confidence in Botswana's institutional framework and prudent policymaking, and highlights opportunities from diamond production recovery and non-diamond mining growth.

    12 October 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Thursday 8 October

  1. Botswana's diamond recovery raises diversification urgency

    After a severe slump, Botswana's diamond industry has recovered—the economy expanded 3.5 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026 and rough-diamond output surged in the second. Acting president and finance minister Ndaba Gaolathe has urged the country to use this reprieve to diversify away from dependence on diamonds, steering capital toward farms, factories, and tourism rather than relying on another diamond-market recovery.

    8 October 2026 · Weekend Post →

Tuesday 6 October

  1. Pension fund assets rise to P176.4 billion in July

    Pension fund assets grew in July, with offshore equities rising from P70.9 billion in January to P76.4 billion in July, driven largely by technology stocks and sustained capital inflows into AI and semiconductor companies.

    6 October 2026 · Mmegi →

Friday 2 October

  1. Botswana banks shift to fee income amid digital banking growth

    Non-interest income at Botswana's banks rose 33.7 percent in 2025 to P5.2 billion, now representing 43.8 percent of total banking income. The increase was driven mainly by higher fee and commission income from greater transaction volumes on digital platforms and increased foreign-exchange activity.

    2 October 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

  2. Treasury borrowing reaches halfway mark for 2026/27 year

    The Bank of Botswana will seek P3.1 billion from domestic investors on September 24, taking government securities financing past the halfway mark for the 2026/27 financial year. Treasury bill issuance has already reached its annual target while bond sales remain behind schedule.

    2 October 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Monday 28 September

  1. Botswana's diamond recovery stirs but masks deeper questions

    Botswana's diamond industry has rebounded after a slump, with the economy expanding 3.5 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026 and rough-diamond output surging in the second. However, acting president and finance minister Ndaba Gaolathe warned against treating the recovery as a transformation, calling for investment in farms, factories, and tourism rather than reliance on diamond market fluctuations.

    28 September 2026 · Weekend Post →

  2. Botswana cuts 2026-27 budget deficit forecast sharply

    Botswana has reduced its projected budget deficit for the 2026-27 financial year to 9.26 billion pula (3.1% of GDP), down from 26.35 billion pula (8.9% of GDP) forecast in February, driven by stronger-than-expected Bank of Botswana revenue and spending controls. Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe cautioned that the result depends on controlling government spending and warned that the improvement should not obscure deeper structural strains on public finances.

    28 September 2026 · Weekend Post →

  3. Botswana regulators urge pension funds to boost equity investments

    The Bank of Botswana and NBFIRA are concerned that pension funds hold excessive cash in deposits rather than longer-term investments, particularly equities. As of June, pension funds held P14 billion in cash compared with P23.3 billion in locally listed equities, with total industry assets at P176.4 billion.

    28 September 2026 · Mmegi →

Tuesday 22 September

  1. Government records US$2.51 billion budget surplus as of June

    The government recorded a budget surplus of US$2.51 billion as of June 2026, equivalent to 0.85 per cent of GDP. President Boko said the government is investing in upskilling youth to address unemployment and poverty, and positioning the country to attract foreign direct investment and provide entrepreneurial opportunities in rural communities.

    22 September 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Monday 21 September

  1. S&P affirms Botswana investment-grade rating, maintains negative outlook

    S&P Global Ratings has affirmed Botswana's long-term local-currency rating at BBB- and short-term rating at A-3, retaining its investment-grade status but keeping the country's outlook negative due to ongoing pressure on public finances and the external position.

    21 September 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

  2. Botswana's inflation barely falls; households still squeezed

    Botswana's annual inflation dipped to 9.3 percent in August—a 0.1 percentage-point decline from July—but transport, electricity, and food prices remain major pressures on consumers. An economist notes the marginal drop is "statistically real but economically negligible" as wages have not kept pace with rising costs.

    21 September 2026 · Weekend Post →

Monday 14 September

  1. Bank of Botswana forecasts inflation easing by mid-2027

    The Bank of Botswana projects inflation will remain above its 3–6 percent target range through the first quarter of 2027 before returning to within the band by mid-2027, driven mainly by fuel and electricity cost pressures. Inflation surged to 10.57 percent in Q2 2026 due to fuel prices, transport fares, and medical premiums, and is expected to average 7.9 percent for 2026 overall.

    14 September 2026 · Weekend Post →

  2. Median homebuyer age in Botswana reaches 46 years

    According to the Riberry Property Market Report cited in the Bank of Botswana's August Monetary Policy Report, the median age of homebuyers has risen to 46, reflecting a shift towards older, financially established buyers able to manage the country's tighter lending environment.

    14 September 2026 · Mmegi →

Friday 11 September

  1. Pula stability needs economic reform beyond monetary policy

    Vice President and Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe warned that Botswana cannot indefinitely defend the Pula through monetary measures alone while the economy remains heavily reliant on diamonds, as a prolonged global diamond sector downturn has exposed long-recognised vulnerabilities in the country's economic model.

    11 September 2026 · Weekend Post →

Thursday 10 September

  1. Commercial bank arrears decline from January peak

    Bank of Botswana figures show that arrears owed to commercial banks declined from a record high in January, reaching a low of P6.57 billion in March before rising to P6.89 billion in June, with the majority classified as 'specific provisions' for loans over 180 days old.

    10 September 2026 · Mmegi →

Wednesday 9 September

  1. Botswana unemployment stays high as job creation lags

    Unemployment remains elevated as job creation trails labour-force growth, constrained by weak domestic demand, diamond-sector uncertainty, structural rigidities, and low productivity growth, according to the Bank of Botswana.

    9 September 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Monday 7 September

  1. Bank of Botswana stress tests show managed real estate risks

    The Bank of Botswana's stress tests confirm that commercial real estate lending risks remain stable under moderate conditions, though vulnerabilities emerge in extreme scenarios. Deputy Governor Kealeboga Masalila said risks are mitigated through banks' internal controls, regulatory oversight, and collateral such as mortgages.

    7 September 2026 · Weekend Post →

  2. Pula stability requires economic reform beyond monetary policy

    Vice President and Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe warned that Botswana cannot indefinitely defend the Pula through monetary measures alone while the economy remains heavily reliant on diamonds. He said the prolonged downturn in the global diamond sector has exposed long-recognised vulnerabilities and that monetary policy alone cannot provide a permanent shield for the currency.

    7 September 2026 · Weekend Post →

  3. Botswana consumer spending to fall by P1.3 billion in 2026

    Business Monitor International forecasts household expenditure in Botswana will decline by 1.0 percent to P131.2 billion in 2026, driven by economic headwinds including sluggish growth, persistent unemployment at 24.4 percent, and tighter credit conditions, with a modest recovery of 1.3 percent projected for 2027.

    7 September 2026 · Weekend Post →

  4. BETP shifts economic focus from planning to project delivery

    Botswana's Economic Transformation Programme has identified 186 priority projects across nine sectors targeting P514 billion in cumulative investment and 512,000 jobs by 2036, with initial efforts focused on removing obstacles to investment execution in areas including land access, financing, regulation, and infrastructure.

    7 September 2026 · Weekend Post →

  5. Budget deficit narrowed to P16.34 billion for 2025/2026

    The Finance Ministry reported a budget deficit of P16.34 billion for the 2025/2026 fiscal year, a significant improvement from the previously projected deficit of P25.48 billion, according to preliminary figures released by the Bank of Botswana.

    7 September 2026 · Weekend Post →

Thursday 3 September

  1. PrimeTime accelerates debt reduction, skips distribution for 2026

    BSE-listed property group PrimeTime will forgo distributing earnings for the financial year ending 31 August 2026, directing retained cash and proceeds from P98.4 million in property disposals toward reducing borrowings as part of its multi-year deleveraging strategy amid elevated borrowing costs.

    3 September 2026 · Weekend Post →

Wednesday 2 September

  1. Botswana economy grows 3.5 per cent in first quarter 2025

    Botswana's economy registered 3.5 per cent growth in the first quarter of 2025, attributed to increased diamond sales and cost containment measures. The MP for Francistown South noted that diamond sales rose from P100 million in July 2024 to P300 million in July 2025, and highlighted that the country's foreign reserves stand at P51 billion.

    2 September 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Tuesday 1 September

  1. Botswana businesses cautiously optimistic through mid-2027

    A Bank of Botswana survey shows businesses in Botswana expressing cautious optimism about trading conditions through June 2027, supported by government economic recovery initiatives, though the operating landscape remains challenging and companies faced concerns including high borrowing costs and constrained government spending in mid-2026.

    1 September 2026 · Weekend Post →

Monday 31 August

  1. Bank of Botswana warns of persistent inflation amid weak growth

    Bank of Botswana Governor Lesego Moseki has warned that businesses and households should prepare for ongoing inflationary pressures from rising fuel and electricity costs, livestock movement restrictions, and global geopolitical tensions. The Monetary Policy Committee has kept the policy rate steady at 5.5 percent while headline inflation remains above the central bank's medium-term target range and economic expansion has been modest.

    31 August 2026 · Weekend Post →

Sunday 30 August

  1. Botswana business expects modest 2026 growth amid weak demand

    Botswana's business community expects the economy to expand by 2.1 percent in 2026 following a 0.7 percent contraction in 2025, though the outlook remains clouded by weak demand, constrained government spending and high financing costs, according to the Bank of Botswana's June Business Expectations Survey.

    30 August 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Bank of Botswana — Botswanan press coverage · Botswana Minute