Botswana has secured tariff-free entry into the US market for exports including natural diamonds under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, while Angola and South Africa face a 12.5 percent tariff. The US is the biggest market for natural diamonds, accounting for more than 50% of demand.
16 hours ago · Mmegi →
Botswana's economy is expected to stage a modest recovery over the next two to three years, largely on the back of a rebound in diamond production from historically low levels, though the World Bank warns that only structural reform can meaningfully reduce poverty and unemployment.
17 hours ago · The Botswana Gazette →
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.
22 hours ago · Weekend Post →
Mochudi Centre Chiefs, after returning to Botswana's FNB Premiership, have signed nine new players including defender Mosha Gaolaolwe, winger Mpho Kgaswane, and striker Omphile Vissagie, as part of an ambitious rebuilding strategy aimed at competing for trophies rather than merely surviving in the top division.
22 hours ago · Weekend Post →
The Botswana Football Association is intensifying its commitment to accountability in managing FIFA-funded projects through a FIFA Forward workshop designed to equip administrators with skills in planning, executing, monitoring, and reporting on development programs.
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
Vantage Metals has launched a diamond drilling program at its Kalahari Copper Project in northwestern Botswana, drilling 5,000 to 10,000 meters to explore high-priority sediment-hosted copper deposits through at least October 2026. The Australian-listed explorer identified three key targets after analyzing aeromagnetic and airborne electromagnetic survey data.
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
Botswana's fixed asset investment fell P1.2 billion to P10.4 billion in the first quarter of 2026, driven by declines in plant machinery, transport equipment, and infrastructure spending. Fitch Solutions attributed the contraction to weak business confidence, citing uncertainty in global diamond markets and tighter credit conditions.
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
De Beers' rough diamond production jumped 88% year-over-year to 7.8 million carats in the second quarter of 2026, largely driven by Botswana's mines where output more than doubled to 5.5 million carats following maintenance resumption at Orapa and higher-grade mining at Jwaneng. Sales declined slightly to 7.1 million carats amid geopolitical instability, shifting consumer preferences, and rising synthetic diamond competition.
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
More than two years after a deadly bus crash in South Africa involving Botswana-based St Engenas Zion Christian Church members that claimed 45 lives, at least 20 of the affected families may receive compensation from the Road Accident Fund before year's end, though around 10 families have been deemed ineligible after failing to meet RAF criteria.
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
The World Meteorological Organization warns that a strong El Niño event starting October 2026 could trigger severe drought across southern Africa, with temperatures predicted to reach 35 to 45 degrees Celsius. Botswana, with its semi-arid climate and rain-fed agriculture, faces particular vulnerability to the drought risk and threat to livelihoods.
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
Anglo American is preparing to sell its majority stake in De Beers to a consortium led by Gareth Penny, a former De Beers CEO. Botswana, which holds a 15 percent stake in the company, is considering whether to exercise its right of first refusal, partner with the bidder, or approve a new ownership structure.
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
Dr. Unity Dow, a former High Court judge and human rights advocate, was elected Vice President of the Botswana Congress Party at its elective congress in Mogoditshane during the President's Holidays in 2026, defeating Taolo Lucas by 100 votes (942 to 842). The close result and factional divisions within the party underscore ongoing tensions between competing leadership camps.
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
The Botswana government has rejected calls for an independent audit of the 2019 General Elections, despite persistent accusations from the Umbrella for Democratic Change that the polls were manipulated. Minister Moeti Mohwasa told Parliament the administration will focus on economic transformation and electoral reforms rather than revisiting past election controversies.
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
De Beers raised rough diamond production sharply in the first half of 2026, with Botswana providing nearly 70 percent of total output, though weak prices and subdued consumer demand continue to constrain revenue and profitability.
27 July 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
Botswana plans to raise P5.1 billion from the domestic market on July 31, its largest debt auction since January, reflecting the government's increasing reliance on local borrowing to finance a widening budget deficit and refinance maturing obligations.
27 July 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
President Duma Boko disclosed his administration has spent about P3.7 billion settling unpaid government invoices inherited from previous administrations, some dating back to 2018, saying these accumulated debts have slowed progress on delivering promised economic reforms.
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
Australia-listed Cobre Ltd has signed a collaboration agreement with Norwegian energy company Equinor to advance its Ngami copper project in Botswana, joining existing partners BHP and China's Sinomine.
27 July 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
NexMetals Mining has extended a high-grade copper-nickel zone at its Selebi Main project, boosting confidence that the former BCL mine could support a larger resource as the Canadian company advances plans to restart the operation.
27 July 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
Botswana Development Corporation has begun importing 1,000 high-yield dairy cattle from Brazil to increase local milk production and reduce the country's dependence on dairy imports.
27 July 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
A parliamentary hearing saw Lobatse MP Kamal Jacobs demand accountability from health officials over persistent medicine stock-outs in public facilities, blaming administrative failures at the Central Medical Stores and questioning whether its acting director has the capacity to resolve procurement and distribution challenges. The Ministry of Health defended the appointment and stated efforts are underway to stabilize medicine supply chains, as the country's public healthcare system faces renewed scrutiny over shortages affecting patients with chronic illnesses and emergency care needs.
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
A recent Botswana Inbound Visitor Survey by the Department of Tourism shows that North American and European tourists make up a significant share of first-time visitors to the country.
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
The UDC entered office promising a rights-based approach to governance, but a deep fiscal crisis is forcing difficult trade-offs. A new report warns that the government has cut financial support to key civil society organisations at a time of worsening economic pressures, rising unemployment, and poverty.
27 July 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
Dumelang Saleshando, president of the Botswana Congress Party, has asserted his readiness and capability to lead the party into the 2029 General Election, putting to rest doubts about his health.
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
Botswana has implemented a new Income Tax Act, 2026, that overhauls payroll and employment income compliance rules. Employers must align their payroll systems, benefits, reimbursements, and termination payments with the updated tax rules set by the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS).
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
At the BNF's 60th national conference, President Boko characterized his inherited administration as "a broken country, a collapsing economy and a nation bereft of hope," attributing challenges to more than a decade of declining diamond revenues and shrinking export earnings while framing current hardships as part of a necessary rebuilding process.
27 July 2026 · Mmegi →
Addressing party delegates in Palapye, Gaolathe said Botswana's future remains bright despite current economic difficulties, emphasising that a "new Botswana" will surprise those who have lost hope.
27 July 2026 · Mmegi →
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.
27 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
The 10th edition of the Jwaneng Bushwalk attracted 6,000 hikers across 15km and 30km routes, with President Advocate Duma Boko and Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso of Lesotho among attendees. The event, which began in 2014, continues to position Jwaneng as a sport tourism hub while supporting charity work and regional integration.
27 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
China Civil Engineering Construction (Botswana) has contributed millions of pula to charitable initiatives including donations of houses to vulnerable families, school renovations, and village development programs. Between 2023 and 2024, eight villages in the Boteti region benefited from donations supporting schools and road maintenance.
27 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana →