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Saturday, 13 June 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Saturday, 13 June 2026
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Botswanan press · Organization

World Bank

Also known as: World Bank Group

International development institution that has committed $10 million to Okavango Basin conservation and conducted analysis of Botswana's tourism and economic sectors.

2026-04-222026-06-13
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In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. May 2026

  2. Mmegi

    The Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship recently revealed that some of the momentum towards this shift was backed by research conducted by the World Bank.The research showed some weaknesses in the diversification of the tourism sector, including low tourism visits, shorter sta …

    Gov't pushes ahead with 24-hr economy
  3. April 2026

  4. Weekend Post

    … South Africa’s recent $1.5 billion World Bank-backed initiative to decarbonize transport infrastructure exemplifies the kind of projects that benefit from CEO Africa Roundtable’s advocacy and matchmaking between financiers and implementers. …

    CEO Africa Roundtable’s Policy Laboratory lands in Botswana

  5. Weekend Post

    … BII is aligning itself with Mission 300, a landmark initiative led by the World Bank and African Development Bank to connect 300 million people to electricity by 2030. …

    £9bn Africa push as BII pivots to frontier markets & private capital

  6. Mmegi

    The findings were commissioned by the government through the World Bank.Speaking at the opening of the 41st Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB) conference, the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Wynter Mmolotsi, said the findings revealed that Botswana remai …

    World Bank flags critical gaps in Botswana’s tourism sector

  7. Mmegi

    … The Risk Assessment (2020–2024) is the country’s second national assessment following the inaugural exercise concluded in 2017.The risk assessment adopts the World Bank Risk Assessment Tool, which evaluates national threats, scale and nature of illicit proceeds, terrorist financi …

    Only P887k recovered from P380m stolen by workers
Business

ODC expands diamond operations to India amid transparency questions

The News

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.

Why it matters

Okavango Diamond Company expands to India with undisclosed operational details, raising transparency concerns about state asset management.

9 June 2026 · Weekend Post →

Tuesday 9 June

  1. ODC expands diamond operations to India amid transparency questions

    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.

    9 June 2026 · Weekend Post →

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Botswana diamond industry faces AI and lab-grown competition

    Botswana's diamond industry leaders are calling for a shift from traditional mining and sales toward an ecosystem focused on traceability, blockchain technology, and digital trading to compete with lab-grown gems and appeal to younger consumers. Industry executives stressed that natural diamonds must emphasize emotional and historical value alongside transparency about a stone's origin and journey to market.

    2 June 2026 · Weekend Post →

  2. Government plans new anti-corruption bill and DCEC independence

    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.

    2 June 2026 · Weekend Post →

  3. Botswana's business outlook remains pessimistic for 2026

    The Bank of Botswana's Business Expectations Survey shows firms broadly pessimistic about trading conditions, with economic output expected to grow only 1.7 percent in 2026, a rebound from 0.7 percent contraction in 2025. Weak government spending, exchange rate pressures, and rising input costs constrain confidence, though inflation expectations remain anchored within the central bank's 3 to 6 percent target range.

    2 June 2026 · Weekend Post →

Monday 25 May

  1. World Bank commits $10 million to Okavango Basin conservation financing

    The World Bank has committed $10 million to a new financing vehicle for the Cubango-Okavango River Basin, marking a shift toward structured long-term capital for conservation rather than sporadic donor support.

    25 May 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Wednesday 20 May

  1. BERA to finalize new LPG pricing framework by December

    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.

    20 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

  2. BCP criticizes forensic audit as structurally flawed and inadequate

    The Botswana Congress Party has dismissed the government's forensic audit as structurally flawed and theatrically political, arguing it reveals little that is new and provides no credible roadmap for institutional reform. If the report remains secret, the BCP plans to revive its proposal for a fully independent Presidential Commission of Inquiry when Parliament reconvenes in July.

    20 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

Tuesday 12 May

  1. Global economic confidence crashes amid geopolitical tensions

    Global finance professionals' confidence has plunged to pandemic-era lows due to Middle East conflict and soaring commodity prices, with the Strait of Hormuz closure reducing maritime traffic by 95 percent and energy prices projected to surge 24 percent. Africa's GDP growth is forecast to lose 0.2 percentage points in 2026 as soaring fuel and fertilizer costs threaten agricultural output.

    12 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

  2. Botswana, Rwanda sign tax agreement to boost investment

    Botswana and Rwanda have signed a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement to eliminate double taxation on income earned in both countries and deepen economic ties. Officials say the pact will attract foreign direct investment and ease cross-border business expansion, though concerns remain about potential revenue losses and tax avoidance risks.

    12 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

  3. World Bank warns Middle East conflict driving commodity price surge

    The World Bank Group warns that the Middle East conflict is causing the largest oil supply loss on record, with global commodity prices forecast to rise 16 percent in 2026 and energy prices expected to surge 24 percent, fueling inflation and slowing growth in import-dependent economies like Botswana.

    12 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

Monday 4 May

  1. Ministry pursuing 24-hour economy backed by World Bank research

    The Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship is advancing a 24-hour economy model, supported by World Bank research showing weaknesses in tourism diversification, including low tourism visits, shorter stays, and weak infrastructure.

    4 May 2026 · Mmegi →

Tuesday 28 April

  1. CEO Africa Roundtable Policy Laboratory arrives in Botswana

    The CEO Africa Roundtable, described by its Chief Economist as a policy laboratory, has landed in Botswana. The organization aims to convert boardroom discussions into actionable strategies and influence policy across the continent.

    28 April 2026 · Weekend Post →

  2. BII unveils £9bn strategy to mobilize African development capital

    British International Investment has announced a five-year strategy to mobilize £9 billion in fresh capital for Africa, with £5 billion from its own funds leveraged to attract private investment. The initiative focuses on frontier markets and least developed countries where private capital has historically been scarce.

    28 April 2026 · Weekend Post →

Thursday 23 April

  1. World Bank identifies critical gaps in Botswana tourism sector

    A World Bank analysis commissioned by the government found that Botswana remains heavily dependent on high-end wildlife tourism, according to remarks by the Minister of Environment and Tourism at the 41st Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana conference.

    23 April 2026 · Mmegi →

Wednesday 22 April

  1. Money laundering risk assessment finds only P887k recovered

    Botswana's second National Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment (2020–2024) shows that only P887,000 has been recovered from P380 million stolen by workers, according to findings in the assessment.

    22 April 2026 · Mmegi →

World Bank — Botswanan press coverage · Botswana Minute