… He said regional stability was being reinforced through high-level Bi-National Commissions with Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia and South Africa, and continued engagement with other neighbours to harmonise trade frameworks, remove non-tariff barriers and streamline cross-border logisti …
… According to one of the organisers Tiro Kganela, the hike is expected to attract over 300 hikers from Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa and Zimbabwe. …
… This agreement builds on cooperation under the Limpopo Watercourse Commission, which unites Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe in efforts to sustainably manage the Limpopo River system. …
… The director of F&G Botswana, Mr Steven Zhu confirmed in an interview on Tuesday that they had to sell the product to SADC market citing countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Angola and South Africa. …
… Competitors from Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Switzerland also set national bests during the meet, further cementing the claim that the Gaborone surface offers conditions conducive to elite performance. …
… tile to any dissenting voices.” Dr Mogae speaking at a Leadership Forum in Tanzania, 2014, stating his views on the leadership style of his then successor, President Lt Gen Seretse Khama Ian Khama’s administration regarding the rule of law. • “This is not a meeting about Zimbabwe …
… change, as intensifying heat and recurring drought strain the country’s water supplies, agriculture and economy, according to a recent regional study produced by a multidisciplinary team of scientists from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, South Africa and Zimbabwe …
… He appealed to the minister to augment their efforts by engaging law enforcement officers to assist with patrolling the cordon fence, and to also engage with his Zimbabwe counterpart on how best to protect the fence from vandalism. …
Netflix has released "The Polygamist," a 22-episode telenovela adapted from Zimbabwean author Sue Nyathi's 2012 novel, which follows four women involved with a wealthy banking magnate and explores themes of polygamy, gender dynamics, and wealth in contemporary Zimbabwe.
Why it matters
Netflix adaptation of Southern African literature shows growing international recognition of regional creative talent.
Netflix has released "The Polygamist," a 22-episode telenovela adapted from Zimbabwean author Sue Nyathi's 2012 novel, which follows four women involved with a wealthy banking magnate and explores themes of polygamy, gender dynamics, and wealth in contemporary Zimbabwe.
The Botswana Football Association, led by newly elected COSAFA president Tariq Babitseng, is implementing the BFA Impact Programme, a comprehensive initiative to overhaul governance, funding, and development of football across the nation. The programme introduces a tiered classification system for Regional Football Associations, categorizing them as Tier 1 (high capacity), Tier 2 (emerging), or Tier 3 (development), with tailored development responsibilities for each tier.
Botswana will host the 2026 Confederation of Universities and Colleges Sports Associations Games from June 28 to July 5, with delegations from Angola, Lesotho, eSwatini, South Africa, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe competing in eight sporting codes. Local Organising Committee chairperson Keorapetse Setlhare said preparations were progressing smoothly with major logistical challenges addressed and venues across Gaborone fully prepared.
Botswana won its opening Davis Cup match against Ghana—its first victory over Ghana in head-to-head play—but lost to Kenya to set up a deciding match against Algeria. Ntungamili Raguin won key singles and doubles matches against Ghana but fell short in the Kenya doubles, leaving the tie to be decided in the final round.
Kamogelo Molatlhwa, founder of the Historic Walk initiative, plans to walk approximately 11,149 kilometres from Cape Town to Cairo starting October 1, 2026, to raise continental awareness about gender-based violence and unite governments, communities, and citizens in confronting the crisis.
Botswana will host the 2026 Confederation of Universities and Colleges Sports Associations Games from June 28 to July 5, with delegations from Angola, Lesotho, eSwatini, South Africa, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The regional tournament will feature eight sporting codes including athletics, basketball, chess, football, volleyball, netball, tennis and table tennis.
Botswana stores approximately 300 tonnes of confiscated elephant tusks in government facilities, valued at potentially $60–90 million at international market rates, but the stockpile cannot be sold due to existing international trade restrictions. The seized ivory results from anti-poaching efforts and law enforcement confiscations, and its storage incurs ongoing costs for safeguarding.
Olympic silver medalist Nigel Amos has announced a plan to transform youth athletics in Botswana and Southern Africa through two initiatives: the TATAMILAWOLOTO Track Klub, a professional academy for athletes aged 9 to 24 offering high-performance training, and the United Youth Athletics League, designed to address gaps in junior athletics programs across the region.
SADC Deputy Executive Secretary Angèle Makombo N'Tumba called for urgent regional action to strengthen food security and agricultural systems amid global supply chain disruptions, climate change, and livestock diseases. She warned that Middle East conflicts have restricted agricultural input and petroleum product movements, while extreme weather threatens food and energy security across the region.
The Botswana senior men's cricket team won their first four matches at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Regional qualifying tournament, but back-to-back losses to Kenya (by 62 runs) and Rwanda (by two runs) prevented them from reaching the regional final.
The Minister for State President, Defence and Security said national security and structural stability underpin sustainable economic activity and attract long-term investment. He cited the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme's focus on secure trade lanes, protected infrastructure, and regional stability through bilateral commissions with neighbouring countries.
The Bikwe International Hike, scheduled for Saturday, will begin at Nkwe gorge in Mogonye and cover 20 kilometres toward Manyelanong West, with over 300 hikers expected from Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The organisers describe the cross-border event as promoting regional unity, wellness, and eco-tourism potential in the greater Gaborone area.
Botswana's beef export industry faces a P200 million loss following an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease detected in April 2026 at the Ramatlabama Artificial Insemination and Training Centre, with 159 confirmed cases spreading to the Good Hope district and cattle handling facilities near Lobatse, threatening the country's prized FMD-free status.
South Africa and Botswana are set to sign a Memorandum of Agreement to safeguard water quality and combat invasive aquatic species in the Upper Limpopo River Basin, enhancing ecosystem monitoring and biodiversity protection across the transboundary water resource shared with Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Botswana has begun intensified screening for Ebola at all entry points following outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The North East District Council has established isolation facilities at Ramokgwena border post and says Masunga Hospital is prepared to admit patients, though no cases have been recorded yet.
F&G Botswana has launched Ethyl Maltol flavour enhancer in Francistown in collaboration with BITC and plans to expand into the SADC market, targeting countries including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Angola and South Africa. The product is intended for use in foods such as bread, cakes, biscuits, and beverages, with the company citing Botswana's strategic position in the region as advantageous for market access.
Botswana's National Stadium has rapidly gained recognition as one of the world's fastest tracks following record-breaking performances at the 2026 World Athletics Relays, where three world records fell in mixed 4x100m relays and Botswana's men's 4x400m relay team set a new African and championship record time of 2:54.47.
Botswana imports roughly 1.3 billion liters of refined petroleum products annually, primarily from neighboring countries, with about 90 percent of the market controlled by government-backed Botswana Oil Limited and citizen-owned companies, reflecting a deliberate policy to maintain national energy security amid reliance on imports due to lack of domestic oil reserves.
An article reflects on Dr Festus Mogae's lighter side and personality, highlighting his witty remarks and charismatic nature alongside his professional demeanor as president. The piece includes examples of his humorous observations on African politics, election transitions, and his various post-presidential engagements.
According to a regional study by scientists from seven southern African countries, Botswana is entering a more dangerous phase of climate change as intensifying heat and recurring drought strain water supplies, agriculture and economy.
Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture Dr Edwin Dikoloti expressed concern that Zone 6B South's Foot and Mouth Disease vaccination coverage rate of 83 per cent was the lowest among all zones, with Zone 6B North at 95 per cent and Zone 3C at 100 per cent. He emphasized that vaccination was crucial to fighting FMD and urged farmers to adhere to veterinary control measures as Botswana faces simultaneous outbreaks across multiple zones for the first time.
FNB Botswana has partnered with Africa's Eden Tourism, a regional association representing eight Southern African countries, to support tourism businesses through financial tools and banking solutions focused on cross-border collaboration and sustainable growth.
Botswana's newly refurbished National Stadium track has been recognised as one of the world's premier fast tracks, joining venues like Hayward Field and Stade Louis II. Three World Records were broken at the Debswana World Athletics Relays within 48 hours, with Botswana setting an African and Championship Record in the 4x400m.
Zimbabwe's Information Minister reported that at least 15 Zimbabweans recruited to fight for Russia have died on the frontlines, describing it as a "sophisticated scheme of deception, exploitation, and human trafficking" where shadowy agencies lure people via social media with promises of lucrative jobs abroad.
Botswana's men's 4x100m relay team qualified for the Debswana World Athletics Relays finals for the first time, setting a National Record of 37.96 seconds with Letsile Tebogo's anchor leg securing second place in the heat. The men's 4x400m team also advanced with a time of 2:57.52, while women's 4x100m, mixed 4x100m and women's 4x400m teams did not progress to the finals.
Over 3,000 harvesters have swarmed communal lands and farms in Botswana for mophane worms, a caterpillar harvested for food and income. Overharvesting, habitat destruction, and weak regulation are depleting mopane worm populations and damaging the mopane woodlands they depend on, threatening both conservation and long-term economic sustainability.
Athletes from Botswana, Algeria, Belgium, Cameroon, Canada, Congo, Ethiopia, Egypt, Italy, Portugal, Slovakia, Jamaica, Great Britain, Kenya, South Africa, the United States, and Zimbabwe will compete in the one-day FNB Botswana Grand Prix. Event organisers say the venue is ready and World Athletics-accredited, with headliners including Canadian 200m Olympic champion Andre De Grasse.