Botswana turned to World Bank and AfDB loans to finance health, water and energy projects, cushioning the budget through the downturn under reform conditions.
Section
Money
Credit Tightening Reversed: Central Bank Forces Banks to Hold Rates
Policy held steady, yet prime lending rates climbed anyway. The Bank of Botswana’s answer was to lift its policy rate and tell commercial banks to stop.
Child Support Grant Goes Live While Councils Seek New Revenue
Kgatleng District Council registered 349 beneficiaries for a new child-support grant in April 2026, even as it hunts for revenue of its own.
Dirty Money in Clean Houses: Real Estate Under Scrutiny
A regulator’s risk assessment estimates about P1.1 billion in illicit funds moved through Botswana’s property market, pointing to high valuations and weak regulation.
State Investor Bets P1.39bn on Non-Traditional Sectors
The Botswana Development Corporation plans to deploy P1.39 billion into agriculture, health, manufacturing, renewable energy and the creative industries over two years.
Regulators Force Vivo to Relinquish Engen Botswana
Vivo Energy agreed to sell its 70% stake in Engen Botswana to the Fusion Spark consortium in April 2026, after competition concerns over the combined fuel business.
Steady Rate, Unsteady Future: BoB Holds at 3.5%
Botswana’s Monetary Policy Committee held the policy rate at 3.5% in February 2026, with inflation inside the 3 to 6% target and growth forecast at 3.1%, led by non-mining sectors.
Unwanted Treasure: Diamond Stockpile Swells to 12 Million Carats
By January 2026 weak prices had left Botswana sitting on 12 million carats it could not profitably sell, turning a national asset into tied-up capital and deferred revenue.
Credit Rating Cut Highlights Fiscal Stress from Diamond Downturn
S&P reportedly cut Botswana’s outlook in June 2025, citing low diamond prices and a deficit projected near 11% of GDP – putting fiscal stress from the downturn on the record.