Botswana Minute.
Sunday, 23 August 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Sunday, 23 August 2026
Gaborone—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Botswanan press · Person

Duma Boko

Also known as: President Boko · President Advocate Duma Boko · Advocate Duma Boko · President Duma Gideon Boko · President Duma Boko · His Excellency President Advocate Duma Boko · Adv. Duma Boko · President Adv. Duma Boko

Duma Boko — President of Botswana, addressing diplomatic, economic, and governance challenges including medicine shortages and inherited debts.

2026-04-062026-08-23

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. June 2026
  2. Daily News Botswana

    CAPETOWN - President Advocate Duma Boko arriving in South Africa to attend the 9th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).

    Boko Attends SACU Summit
  3. Daily News Botswana

    According to a press release from the Office of the President, President Advocate Duma Boko departed Gaborone yesterday to attend the 9th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), scheduled to take place in Cape Town, South Africa from

    Mohwasa Acting President
  4. Daily News Botswana

    President Advocate Duma Boko (left) and Bank of Botswana Governor, Mr Lesego Moseki during the handing of the annual Bank’s 2025 Annual Report during economic briefing to cabinet in Gaborone on Monday.

    Bank Of Botswana Outlines Economic Prospects
  5. Mmegi

    Despite such concerns, President Boko dismissed suggestions that the arrangement was unusual, labelling it a non-issue, and arguing that Botswana merely extended assistance to a neighbouring country facing temporary travel constraints.

    Lesotho PM aboard OK1 raises eyebrows
  6. Daily News Botswana

    Headlined by the presence of President Advocate Duma Boko and First Lady Kaone, the camaraderie, massive turnouts and emotional moments on the pitch have left a lasting impact on players and fans alike who braved the day’s chill and rain as temperatures plummeted into lower digit

    Orlando Pirates crowned Champions
  7. Daily News Botswana

    The remarks were made by President Advocate Duma Boko during the inaugural opening ceremony of the Botswana-Lesotho Bi- National Commission in Gaborone on June 18.

    Project to boost water and energy security
  8. Daily News Botswana

    The successful implementation of the proposed Lesotho-South Africa-Botswana (LESABO) water transfer project will strengthen Botswana’s long-term water security, support industrial development and enhance regional integration, President Advocate Duma Boko has said.

    LESABO project to address water scarcity
  9. Daily News Botswana

    President Advocate Duma Boko and Lesotho Prime Minister, Mr Samuel Matekane said enduring diplomatic relations anchored on shared history, cultural heritage, linguistic affinities will be translated to deepening cooperation.

    Countries commit to partnership
  10. Daily News Botswana

    President Advocate Duma Boko has called for urgent political, financial and technical support to contain the Ebola outbreak currently affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

    Boko calls for united front against Ebola
  11. Weekend Post

    President Duma Boko echoed these sentiments, calling the Botswana World Trade Centre, a key component of the project, a defining milestone in the country’s economic journey.

    US diamond boom ignites Botswana’s P7 Billion hope

Wednesday 19 August

  1. Boko defends establishment of Botswana's Moscow diplomatic mission

    President Duma Boko has defended Botswana's decision to establish a physical diplomatic mission in Moscow, saying it corrects a diplomatic gap and opens economic opportunities despite scrutiny over Russia's war in Ukraine and international sanctions.

    19 August 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

  2. SADC summit designates Botswana Vaccine Institute as regional FMD bank

    At the 46th SADC summit in Durban, Botswana Vaccine Institute was designated as a regional Foot and Mouth Disease Antigen/Vaccine Bank to strengthen prevention and control efforts. The summit also urged member states to enhance preparedness for El Niño-induced climate shocks.

    19 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Thursday 13 August

  1. Forensic audit on alleged corruption withheld from law enforcement

    Months after President Duma Boko received a forensic audit covering a decade of alleged corruption, key law-enforcement agencies say they have not seen the report or acted on its findings.

    13 August 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

  2. Botswana records 41,000 deaths over five years

    Botswana's Births and Deaths Registration System logged nearly 41,000 deaths between mid-2021 and mid-2026, with yearly figures ranging from 7,346 to 8,861 and average ages at death fluctuating between 67 and 79 years. The data was presented to Parliament by the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, raising questions about healthcare system challenges and the causes of death.

    13 August 2026 · Weekend Post

Wednesday 12 August

  1. Boko's adviser hasn't reviewed forensic audit report yet

    President Duma Boko's governance adviser Motlatsi Molapisi says he has not yet seen the forensic audit report, months after it was delivered to the President, and cannot comment on its findings.

    12 August 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

  2. President Boko blames Botswana Railways board for partnership delays

    President Duma Boko has blamed Botswana Railways' former board for frustrating a private-sector partnership he says could have helped return the loss-making parastatal to profitability.

    12 August 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

Tuesday 11 August

  1. Boko urges public service agility and radical process simplification

    President Duma Boko has called on public service leadership to overhaul institutional structures he describes as bureaucratic, dilatory, and unnecessarily complicated, urging "radical simplification" of processes to improve government delivery and accessibility.

    11 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Monday 10 August

  1. BDF retirees threaten march, court action over pension dispute

    Botswana Defence Force retirees have escalated a long-running pension dispute, demanding permission to march to President Duma Boko's Office and threatening High Court action over the government's failure to respond for nearly two months to a request to deliver a petition about 1/375 Transfer Value Enhancement pension payments.

    10 August 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard

  2. Boko's envoy pitches P10.9 billion power sector opportunities

    President Duma Boko's Special Envoy Dr. Farzam Kamalabadi has presented commercial opportunities worth P10,882,472,000 in Botswana's power sector to American and Gulf markets.

    10 August 2026 · Weekend Post

Friday 7 August

  1. Documentary on Okavango communities premieres with government attendance

    A documentary produced by Okavango Diamond Company and The Nkashi Trust premiered, showcasing the lives and challenges of Okavango communities whose existence is tied to the delta. The premiere was attended by President Duma Boko and Minister of Sport and Arts Jacob Kelebeng.

    7 August 2026 · Mmegi

Wednesday 5 August

  1. Documentary honours lives of Okavango Delta custodians

    A new documentary film, "Batho Ba Metsi: A Journey to Meet the People of the Water," directed by Moabi Mogorosi, features the lives, resilience, challenges and traditions of people living in the Okavango Delta. The filmmaker said the project aims to preserve Botswana's heritage and give voice to the delta's residents, with plans to air the film on National Geographic and at film festivals.

    5 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Monday 3 August

  1. Mo Ibrahim Index 2026 will offer data-driven assessment of Botswana

    The Mo Ibrahim Foundation's 2026 Ibrahim Index of African Governance will provide an evidence-based evaluation of how Botswana is performing under President Duma Boko's leadership, moving beyond opinions shaped by perceptions and political loyalty.

    3 August 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard

  2. President Boko appeals for patience over medicines shortage

    President Duma Boko has appealed for patience amid reports that the medicine shortage is costing lives, saying his government is working to resolve systemic weaknesses and procurement failures blamed for the crisis.

    3 August 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

Sunday 2 August

  1. DIS chief reopens P100 billion disputed claim dispute

    The Director-General of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services has revived a disputed P100 billion claim while the government is contending with a P83 million legal bill.

    2 August 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

Thursday 30 July

  1. President Boko urges African unity on resources and development

    President Duma Boko called on African countries to overcome colonial-era stereotypes and language barriers to work together in harnessing the continent's natural resources and building shared prosperity. Speaking during a courtesy call by Côte d'Ivoire's Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, Boko emphasised the need to move beyond extraction and commit to deeper cooperation and stronger value chains across Africa.

    30 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Wednesday 29 July

  1. DIS chief revives P100 billion disputed claim amid legal costs

    The Director-General of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services has reopened a controversial P100 billion claim while the government is managing a P83 million legal bill, positioning the DIS chief as a potential liability to President Boko's administration.

    29 July 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

  2. Lucara recovers 1,305-carat diamond at Karowe mine

    Lucara Botswana presented a 1,305.4-carat diamond recovered at Karowe Diamond Mine to President Boko. The stone is the tenth weighing over 1,000 carats recovered at the mine since operations began, and the minister noted the diamond market is on a rebound with strong demand for large stones.

    29 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Tuesday 28 July

  1. Africa SME body honours President Boko for SME commitment

    The President of the All Africa Association for Small and Medium Enterprises honoured President Advocate Duma Boko with the UbuntuSusu Continental SME Billion Fund recognition at the Trade Up North 10th Anniversary in Francistown, acknowledging his commitment to growing SMEs and creating an enabling environment for small businesses in Botswana. AAASME has established the $1.4 billion UbuntuSusu Continental SMEs Fund to assist SMEs in Africa to access finance, presenting Botswana's local SMEs an opportunity to tap into continental financing, markets and partnerships.

    28 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

  2. Botswana and Angola prepare landmark Defence Cooperation Agreement

    Botswana and Angola are preparing to sign a Defence Cooperation Agreement aimed at strengthening joint efforts against regional security threats including organised cross-border crime, cybercrime, and wildlife trafficking. The agreement will provide a framework for deeper military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and joint operations, with technical experts from both countries refining the Memorandum of Agreement ahead of signing during an upcoming State Visit.

    28 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Monday 27 July

  1. Boko administration spent P3.7 billion clearing inherited government debts

    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

  2. 10th Jwaneng Bushwalk draws 6,000 hikers, boosts sport tourism

    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

Sunday 26 July

  1. EFF leader urges Boko to pursue sweeping structural reforms

    South African Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema has challenged President Duma Boko, arguing that true political change requires a complete transformation of the system rather than gradual reforms.

    26 July 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

Thursday 23 July

  1. Botswana's oldest clemency petition awaits decision after three years

    Botswana's oldest pending clemency petition has been awaiting a decision from President Duma Boko for more than three years, with no presidential directive or warrant issued in relation to pending applications, according to prisons authorities.

    23 July 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

  2. About 81,000 Batswana living with non-communicable diseases

    President Advocate Duma Boko said approximately 81,000 Batswana are living with non-communicable diseases including diabetes, high blood pressure, and cervical cancer, with rising cases compounded by drug shortages in public health facilities that government is working to resolve.

    23 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Wednesday 22 July

  1. Gaborone hosts inaugural CEO Africa Roundtable on economic growth

    Botswana held the inaugural CEO Africa Roundtable at the Gaborone International Convention Centre, bringing together chief executives, board chairpersons, diplomats, and business leaders under the banner "Towards a $40 Billion Economy by 2036." The government presented a roadmap acknowledging that the old economic model has run its course and called for action from private sector and regional partners.

    22 July 2026 · Weekend Post

  2. Boko attributes BMC payment delays to foot-and-mouth disease

    President Duma Boko has blamed an ongoing outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) for continued payment delays at the Botswana Meat Commission, saying the disease has disrupted the government's pledge to pay cattle farmers within seven days of delivering livestock.

    22 July 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard

  3. Boko considers independent bodies for corruption cases

    President Duma Boko is weighing the creation of independent bodies to investigate and prosecute cases from Botswana's recent forensic audit, amid concerns about whether existing state institutions can handle the task impartially.

    22 July 2026 · Weekend Post

  4. Bereaved families still await compensation after 2024 bridge accident

    Families of the 45 people who died in the 2024 Mmamatlakala Bridge bus accident in South Africa have not yet received compensation from the Road Accident Fund (RAF), according to the Chief of Staff in the Office of the President. The President's office has engaged the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund and RAF to assist with compensation claims, with RAF confirming its willingness to help.

    22 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Monday 20 July

  1. Boko affirms commitment to private-sector-led economy

    President Duma Boko has reaffirmed his government's commitment to transform Botswana's economy from public sector-led to private sector-led, citing efforts to diversify revenue away from diamonds. He cited improved national savings from P300 million in 2024 to P6.1 billion, a 5.4 per cent increase in BURS collections to P15.36 billion in the first quarter of 2026/2027, and cost containment measures yielding P2.73 billion in cumulative savings since August 2025.

    20 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Sunday 19 July

  1. Petition against private health tax challenges Boko government

    A growing petition against Botswana's private healthcare taxation is challenging President Duma Boko's pledges on affordable healthcare and human rights, with campaigners warning the policy could reduce medical care affordability.

    19 July 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

Duma Boko — Botswanan press coverage · Botswana Minute