Botswana is positioning itself as a regional leader in the fight against financial crime with a bid to host the Eastern and Southern African Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG) Regional Training Academy in Gaborone. …
As the mortal remains of Simon Hirschfeld were laid to rest at Phomolong Memorial Park in Phakalane, Gaborone, a traditional police funeral three-volley gun salute rang out, symbolising duty, honour and country. …
… This was said by the Minister of Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Mr Tiroeaone Ntsima during the project ground breaking ceremony in Gaborone on Friday. …
Botswana’s mining sector leaders will gather in Gaborone to discuss investment, beneficiation and industry leadership at a summit set for late June GAZETTE REPORTER Botswana’s mining sector is positioning itself for transformation as global demand for critical minerals continues …
Gaborone Mayor Oarabile Motlaleng says he will address allegations that he locked out senior council officials over a disputed furniture bill nearing P1 million. …
… Ms Modiegi Selelo, who operates her skottel braai hotdog business in the Gaborone bus rank, stated that using cooking gas alone was no longer profitable hence resorting to charcoal. …
… Delivering a keynote address during the fifth meeting of SADC (AML/CFT) committee in Gaborone on Monday, Acting Minister of Finance, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi, applauded the committee for its continued dedication to mitigate the effects of criminal economic activity and promote the inte …
… This was said by the Ministry of Higher Education permanent secretary, Professor Richard Tabulawa, during a courtesy call paid on the Minister, Mr Prince Maele by the Indian High Commissioner to Botswana, Mr Bharath Kumar Kuthati in Gaborone on Monday. …
… Speaking during a farewell courtesy call by outgoing Belgian Ambassador Paul Jansen, in Gaborone on Thursday, President Boko acknowledged the ambassador’s contributions and dedication during his four-year tenure. …
Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe said at the AviaDev Africa conference opening in Gaborone that air connectivity is central to Botswana's economic diversification under the Botswana Economic Transformation Plan and participation in the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, with the country aiming to position itself as a regional transport hub and trade corridor.
Why it matters
Vice President's emphasis on air connectivity as an economic diversification tool under the new transformation plan signals infrastructure and trade policy direction.
Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe said at the AviaDev Africa conference opening in Gaborone that air connectivity is central to Botswana's economic diversification under the Botswana Economic Transformation Plan and participation in the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, with the country aiming to position itself as a regional transport hub and trade corridor.
Botswana's National Assembly speaker told the 13th parliament to drive meaningful reforms, strengthen democratic governance, and restore public trust in institutions following the country's first change of government. He stressed that democracy requires accountability and that parliamentary committees are key instruments for holding the executive and public institutions responsible.
Health Minister Stephen Modise announced that government is addressing medicine shortages through emergency procurement measures, including six to 12 months' worth of supplies from the IDA Foundation and seven months' worth from the United Arab Emirates, with additional consignments arriving in coming weeks.
Farouk Ismail Group (Pty) Ltd donated P70,000 worth of medication for managing high blood pressure, hypertension, cholesterol and diabetes to Athlone Hospital in Lobatse. The donation, part of the company's community support initiatives, was received gratefully by hospital staff during a handover ceremony on Tuesday.
Botswana's state-owned Okavango Diamond Company has extended operations into India, holding rough diamond viewing sessions in Mumbai at the Bharat Diamond Bourse Complex. The move has raised questions about the company's presence in the Indian diamond hub and why operational details remain undisclosed.
CityFan Live, a Botswana-grown creative movement, is preparing "The Final Stroke" Premium Art Auction and Exhibition scheduled for 30 June 2026 at the Botswana National Museum to celebrate the country's creative spirit, empower artists, and support children living with disability.
The Court of Appeal will hear an appeal on June 19, 2026, brought by First National Bank Botswana and two others challenging a High Court ruling that halted the sale of properties linked to businessman Samson Guma Moyo in an effort by FNBB to recover debts related to United Refineries Botswana Holdings. The central legal issue is whether a creditor may proceed against sureties or guarantors while the principal debtor company remains under judicial management.
A Business of Sport Summit scheduled for June 25–26, 2026 at Gaborone International Convention Centre aims to align sport and creative industries with government's ambition to increase their contribution to GDP. Founder Bonni Dintwa stated that while sport is a multi-billion-dollar industry globally and across Africa, Botswana has not fully unlocked the economic opportunities within the sector and that government policies are needed to attract more funding into sport.
The Botswana Police Service has rejected claims that the City Police Unit (CPU), launched in December 2023, has been suspended, though sources say the government has quietly scaled back the initiative since the UDC took office in 2024, citing resource shortages and a reported shift toward the Safer City Project.
Simon Hirschfeld, Botswana's first Motswana Police Commissioner who served 39 years in law enforcement and spent 24 years leading the Botswana Police Service, was buried at Phomolong Memorial Park in Gaborone with a traditional police funeral ceremony.
President Duma Boko congratulated the Botswana Harvard Health Partnership for their significant role in breakthrough HIV prevention research and the discovery of the Omicron COVID variant in 2021. The partnership's executive director noted their contributions to Botswana's public health milestones and their participation in landmark studies that shaped local and international HIV treatment and prevention guidelines.
Botswana is seeking to host the Eastern and Southern African Anti-Money Laundering Group's Regional Training Academy in Gaborone, positioning itself as a regional leader in combating financial crime. Through the Institute for Combating Illicit Flow of Funds, the academy would serve as a centre of excellence for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing training across the region.
The Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship said the groundbreaking of New Botswana City demonstrates Botswana's commitment to economic diversification, industrialisation, and competing in the global economy, noting that the project aligns with Vision 2036 and the Economic Transformation Programme.
Botswana's mining sector leaders will convene in Gaborone in late June to discuss investment, beneficiation, and industry leadership as the sector positions itself for transformation amid rising global demand for critical minerals.
Gaborone City Mayor Oarabile Motlaleng expressed shock at reports of allegedly locking out senior council officials from their offices over a disputed furniture bill near P1 million, but declined further comment pending a full address.
Street food vendors in Gaborone and Molepolole are shifting from cooking gas to charcoal and firewood to reduce expenses and protect profit margins, though they face ongoing conflicts with local authorities over safety regulations and undefined legal status.
The Southern African Development Community has operationalised its AML/CFT committee to combat money laundering and terrorism financing in the region. Acting Finance Minister Wynter Mmolotsi told the committee's fifth meeting in Gaborone that member states face structural vulnerabilities including import dependence and limited economic diversification, which the region must address through strengthened collaboration.
Botswana's First Lady Kaone Boko has called for increased focus on empowering the boy child, cautioning that neglect could lead to future social instability, violence, and marginalisation. She made the remarks at a UNICEF Botswana CEOs Council for Child Rights Forum in Gaborone.
Government considers critical skills shortages one of the biggest obstacles to national development and attracting foreign investment. The Ministry of Higher Education permanent secretary said the disconnect between graduate qualifications and industry needs discourages investors, particularly in mining, despite growing numbers of unemployed graduates.
President Duma Boko hailed Botswana and Belgium's long-standing partnership during a farewell meeting with outgoing Belgian Ambassador Paul Jansen, highlighting cooperation in the diamond industry, agriculture, and educational exchanges between the two countries. Boko commended Belgium's support for local diamond value addition and noted the twinning arrangement between Francistown and Genk.
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.
Botswana's government plans to introduce a new Anti-Corruption Bill to Parliament in July and grant the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime full operational independence, according to the Minister for State President, Defence and Security. The reforms aim to bolster accountability, restore public trust, and elevate governance standards.
Justice Minister Nelson Ramaotwana has yet to decide whether to extradite six Mexican fugitives arrested nearly six months ago to Mozambique, where they face drug-related and organized crime charges. The delay reflects broader regional concerns over cross-border drug trafficking and organized crime networks operating in Botswana.
Households across Botswana are recalculating daily spending as inflation raises food, transport, and basic living costs. Meat prices have roughly doubled, selling at about P120/kg compared to around P60/kg in previous periods.
Huawei Botswana has officially launched the HUAWEI nova 15 Max in Gaborone, introducing a smartphone designed to meet growing digital lifestyle demands and strengthen the company's position in the local handset market.
Seven nations competed in the Sub-regional Qualifier A cricket tournament in Gaborone, with Rwanda and Kenya securing the two available spots for the Africa regional finals. Botswana narrowly missed qualifying.
Botswana has launched the Botswana Youth, Women and Citizen (BYWC) Oil and Gas Programme to position citizens at the forefront of the country's emerging energy sector and reduce dependence on diamonds. The Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs said the initiative aims to equip young people, women and citizens with skills and opportunities for job creation and participation in wealth creation as the country prepares for economic diversification.
Botswana and the European Union have reaffirmed their partnership at the 7th Botswana–EU Partnership Dialogue in Gaborone, with Minister Dr Phenyo Butale highlighting cooperation in renewable energy, digital transformation, biodiversity conservation, and economic diversification.
Multichoice Botswana hosted piracy awareness training for the Department of Broadcasting Services, with a company manager noting that piracy is an economic concern affecting government revenue, businesses, and consumers. Cross-border decoder piracy, where decoders purchased in South Africa are used in neighbouring countries like Botswana, is identified as predominant in the country.