AGP Executive Report

Botswana Economy: The Bank of Botswana warns that after two years of contraction, labour market conditions are likely worsening again, with modest early-2024 job gains expected to have been wiped out by weakness in the private sector, tied to the long diamond downturn. Diamonds & Development: Former AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina has been appointed Chairperson of Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund, with a formal start expected on 15 June, as the initiative aims to drive diversification beyond mining. Regional Governance: SADC has renewed the board of the Regional Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Centre in Maputo, keeping Namibia’s Stanley Ndara as chair and adding Botswana’s Kagisanyo Bedi to the board. Global Trade Shock (Hormuz): US CENTCOM says it disabled a Botswana-flagged tanker, M/T Lexie, with a Hellfire missile after repeated warnings during enforcement of the Iran port blockade, as Iran-US strikes around the Strait of Hormuz continue to rattle shipping and oil markets. Finance: Momentum Group reports strong earnings growth across Africa, with Momentum Africa (including Botswana) up 60% in normalised headline earnings.

Maritime Security & Trade Disruption: The U.S. Central Command disabled the Botswana-flagged tanker M/T Lexie near the Strait of Hormuz with a Hellfire missile after the crew ignored warnings for 24 hours, as Washington enforces its blockade of vessels linked to Iran’s ports; CENTCOM says it has disabled six commercial ships and redirected 122 since April 13, while the incident raises fresh risks for Gulf shipping and commodity flows. Regional Governance & Fisheries: SADC reappointed Stanley Ndara to chair the Regional Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre board in Maputo, with Botswana’s Kagisanyo Bedi among members, as the bloc pushes tougher controls against illegal fishing and rolls out a regional fishing vessel register. Diamond Industry Strategy: Botswana used the JCK platform to stress a shift from traditional diamond selling toward AI-enabled traceability, ownership and digital trading, amid growing pressure from lab-grown gems. Tobacco Policy Push: Botswana is urged to fast-track and implement Tobacco Control Act (2021) regulations after a new Tobacco Industry Interference Index flags rising industry influence, especially around youth vaping and nicotine products. Digital Skills & Youth Jobs: Orange Botswana’s Digital Centre says it has trained 4,300 youths since launch, supporting coding, entrepreneurship and digital fabrication for the country’s expanding tech economy. Finance & Pensions: Alexander Forbes’ Umbrella Retirement Fund surpassed BWP 5 billion in assets under management in Q1 2026, highlighting continued growth in Botswana’s institutional investment landscape.

Anti-Corruption Overhaul: Botswana moves to introduce a new Anti-Corruption Bill to Parliament this July and plans to grant the DCEC full operational independence, with officials warning that corruption drains services and jobs. Legal Pressure on DCEC: Ex-DCEC chief Tshepo Pilane has filed a suit against government over alleged unlawful demotion and death threats, naming top state security and justice officials. Mining Deal Cleared: Botswana’s Court of Appeal has cleared the way for the controversial sale of Mupane Mine after overturning a High Court halt. Air Botswana Rescue: Air Botswana is seeking to convert a government loan into equity after years of losses and governance problems, as the state injected hundreds of millions of pula. Economy Mood Turns Sour: Bank of Botswana data shows firms remain broadly pessimistic for early 2026, citing weak government spending, exchange-rate pressure and rising costs. Household Cost Squeeze: Beef prices in Gaborone have jumped sharply amid inflation and FMD-related supply limits. Digital Skills Push: Orange Botswana’s Digital Centre says it has trained 4,300 youths since launch. Regional Security & Trade: Botswana weighs extradition of six Mexican fugitives; South Africa’s new SARS border rule requires foreign-registered vehicle travellers to declare details online before crossing. Tech & Business: Huawei launches the nova 15 Max in Gaborone, while Letshego outlines a restructuring that exits five African markets as Axian expands its footprint.

Botswana’s Diamond for Development Fund: Former AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina has been named chairperson of the Diamonds for Development Fund, a Botswana-De Beers initiative aimed at economic diversification, with him set to assume the role on 15 June 2026. Regional Fisheries Cooperation: SADC ministers reappointed Stanley Ndara as chair of the SADC Regional Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre, based in Maputo, to keep pressure on illegal fishing and strengthen member-state participation. Fuel Price Pressure in Southern Africa: Namibia’s government has directed fuel firms to source bulk petrol and diesel exclusively from Vitol for three months, raising procurement transparency questions and concerns about higher costs. Cross-border Livestock Health: South Africa gazetted a nationwide voluntary FMD vaccination scheme, with major implications for Zimbabwe’s southern livestock producers and trade. Trade & Agribusiness Deals: NAMPO Show 2026 delivered US$3.39m in confirmed and projected business for Brazil’s agricultural machinery sector, via 86 buyer meetings. Botswana in the Wider Economy: A feature argues Botswana’s autism support remains hampered by limited national data, while another highlights Botswana’s football clubs’ financial struggles and the need for sustainable job creation.

SADC Tourism UNIVISA: Justice ministers and attorneys general meet in Victoria Falls as the bloc pushes a draft agreement for a unified SADC Tourism UNIVISA to cut travel barriers and boost regional tourism. Botswana Societies Crackdown: Botswana has deregistered 5,796 organisations in a sweeping Registrar of Societies exercise, affecting churches, clubs, business groups and civil society bodies, raising compliance and governance questions. Botswana Economic Outlook & Ageing Costs: Botswana’s economy is projected to contract in 2026 as diamond slowdown hits revenues, while pressure grows to fund elder care and social protection amid tighter budgets. Giyani Metals (Botswana): Giyani releases a definitive feasibility study for its K. Hill manganese project, confirming technical viability for EV battery-grade manganese but with capex jumping to $535m due to 2026 cost pressures. Cross-border Livestock Health: South Africa and Botswana back a regional push to fight foot-and-mouth disease, with calls for cooperation since outbreaks ignore borders. Botswana Business & Trade: Botswana vows to deepen SADC economic ties and reduce non-tariff barriers as it opens the Business Botswana Northern Trade Fair in Francistown.

Botswana Diamonds for Development: Botswana and De Beers have appointed former AfDB president Dr Akinwumi Adesina as chairperson of the Diamonds for Development Fund, aimed at using diamond wealth to drive diversification, innovation and jobs, with him set to assume office on June 15. Regional Trade & Business: Botswana says it will keep pushing SADC ties as an “economic conduit”, citing work to improve cross-border ease of doing business and cut non-tariff barriers during the 30th Business Botswana Northern Trade Fair in Francistown. Renewables & Climate Finance (Global, with local relevance): The GEF council approved $144.3m in final funding for GEF-8, including a Botswana project to reduce human-wildlife conflict, as part of a wider push for nature-positive investment. SMEs & Markets: Botswana’s northern trade fair theme highlights value-chain growth, while separate coverage points to more SME participation efforts at major tourism expos. Wildlife Enforcement: North West authorities welcomed an eight-year sentencing for pangolin traffickers after a sting operation, underscoring tougher action against wildlife crime. Digital Finance: BTC hosted a finance-and-banking engagement on how connectivity and technology are reshaping secure, inclusive financial services in Botswana. Economy Watch: A report flags pressure on Botswana’s economy from a diamond slowdown and rising ageing-care costs, as government tightens spending to manage debt.

Diamond Diversification Push: Botswana and De Beers have appointed former AfDB president Dr Akinwumi Adesina as chairperson of the Diamonds for Development Fund, aimed at using diamond wealth to drive diversification, innovation, beneficiation and jobs, with him set to assume office on June 15. SME & Trade Access: Botswana says it will keep engaging across SADC to improve cross-border ease of doing business, streamline logistics and cut non-tariff barriers, as it opened the 30th Business Botswana Northern Trade Fair in Francistown. Governance Crackdown: Botswana’s government has deregistered more than 5,700 societies across sectors including churches, clubs, business and civil society groups, in a move published under the Societies Act. Regional Livestock Health: The LPO vice-chair calls for stronger Southern African cooperation to fight Foot and Mouth Disease, stressing that FMD-free status in one country depends on neighbours’ biosecurity. Wildlife Enforcement: South Africa’s North West authorities welcomed eight-year sentences for pangolin traffickers after a sting operation, underscoring tougher action against wildlife crime. Finance & Tech: BTC hosted a finance and banking sector engagement on how connectivity and technology are shaping secure, inclusive digital services in Botswana’s financial ecosystem. Mining & Investment Signals: Giyani Metals’ Botswana manganese project DFS flags higher costs and a bigger capex bill, reflecting inflationary pressure on new critical mineral supply chains.

Healthcare & Cost of Living: Botswana’s medicine shortages are hitting households hard, with patients and caregivers describing medication gaps and spending pressure as the diamond downturn tightens public finances. Social Protection Pressure: A new look at Botswana’s ageing challenge says older-person support is rising in need while care services lag, as projected 2026 contraction and debt-cutting force tough spending trade-offs. Diamond Sector Shock: Petra Diamonds warns of a structurally weak natural diamond market, cutting jobs and restructuring after falling prices, underscoring how luxury demand and lab-grown competition are reshaping Botswana and the region’s jobs and export outlook. Diversification Push: Botswana and De Beers appoint former AfDB president Dr Akinwumi Adesina to chair the “Diamonds for Development Fund,” aimed at using diamond wealth for long-term transformation, innovation and beneficiation. Mining & Critical Minerals: Giyani Metals reports positive feasibility work for its Botswana manganese project, but with sharply higher capex reflecting today’s inflation-heavy development costs. Digital Finance & Connectivity: BTC hosts a finance-and-banking engagement on how technology and secure connectivity are converging to drive more inclusive, future-ready financial services in Botswana. Regional Business Expansion: Sunbet launches in Namibia via Bede Gaming, building on Sunbet’s Botswana growth and signalling continued iGaming expansion across southern Africa. Wildlife Enforcement: Botswana-linked regional reporting highlights pangolin trafficking convictions, with traffickers sentenced to eight years after a sting operation. Trade & Mobility: ISUZU ships first new D-MAX units from South Africa to more than 30 African markets including Botswana, supporting jobs and cross-border commerce. Business Governance: Tsodilo Resources shares AGM outcomes, including director elections and auditor appointment, as it continues exploration work in Botswana. Sports & Culture (Local Economy Angle): Botswana Craft hosts Shanti Lo’s 25-year anniversary celebration, while a comedy tour brings more entertainment demand to Gaborone and Francistown.

Diamonds for Development Fund: Botswana and De Beers have appointed former AfDB president Dr Akinwumi Adesina as chairperson of the Diamonds for Development Fund, aimed at using diamond wealth to drive diversification, innovation, beneficiation and jobs, with him set to assume office on June 15, 2026. Mining & exploration: Giyani Metals reports positive definitive feasibility study results for its K.Hill battery-grade manganese project in Botswana, citing strong post-tax returns and free cash flow, while Eastport Critical Metals shares first assay results from uranium drilling at its Foley project. Banking & tech: BTC hosted a Finance and Banking sector engagement on “Convergence: Where Finance and Technology Meet,” focusing on secure digital transactions and future-ready financial services. Wildlife enforcement: South Africa’s North West authorities welcomed the sentencing of two pangolin traffickers to eight years in a case linked to a sting operation, underscoring tougher action against wildlife crime. Corporate restructuring: Lewis Group says it is restructuring its struggling UFO furniture chain, closing underperforming stores to stabilise operations. Jobs & education: University of Botswana retrenchment support is linked to P395m in loans, while Virgin Active South Africa and CambriLearn signed a partnership giving online-school learners access to clubs.

Diamonds & Diversification: Botswana and De Beers have appointed former AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina as Chairperson of the new “Diamonds for Development Fund”, aimed at turning diamond wealth into long-term economic transformation, innovation, beneficiation and jobs, with him set to assume office on June 15, 2026. Finance & Connectivity: Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) convened a Finance and Banking Sector engagement on “Convergence: Where Finance and Technology Meet”, focusing on secure digital transactions, better customer experiences and future-ready collaboration across the financial ecosystem. University Restructuring: Cash-strapped University of Botswana (UB) secured two loans totalling P395 million to fund retrenchment packages for 590 staff who left, while creating 476 new job profiles under a new structure. Wildlife Crime Crackdown: Botswana’s regional neighbours report a major pangolin-trafficking case outcome, with two traffickers sentenced to eight years in direct imprisonment after a sting operation intercepted a live pangolin. Mining & Critical Minerals: Giyani Metals reported positive definitive feasibility study results for its K.Hill battery-grade manganese project in Botswana, projecting strong returns and supporting next development steps. Land Administration Dispute: Mqondisi Moyo’s MTHWAKAZI Republic Party criticised Zimbabwe’s title deeds revalidation drive as costly and risky for vulnerable communities, warning it could enable exploitation.

Land & Property Rights: Mqondisi Moyo (MTHWAKAZI Republic Party) says Botswana’s title deeds revalidation drive could expose Matabeleland families to loss and exploitation, arguing the costly digital validation process risks targeting displaced and undocumented heirs. Banking & Rates: Botswana is among African central banks tightening policy during the Iran-war inflation shock, as regional rate hikes spread to manage second-round price pressures. Energy Finance: Standard Bank says it will keep funding “all forms of energy” across Africa—oil and gas, renewables, LNG and transmission—aiming to close the continent’s electricity access gap. Mining & Exploration: Giyani Metals reports positive definitive feasibility results for its K.Hill battery-grade manganese project in Botswana, with strong projected returns; Eastport Critical Metals also released first uranium assay results from Botswana drilling. Diamonds & Trade: Botswana and Angola were admitted as nation-affiliated members of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses in Gaborone, under a push for responsible luxury, transparency and value creation. Sports Integrity: Botswana faces renewed scrutiny over doping cases involving national athletes, with suspensions and challenges to positive results making headlines. Business & Culture: Tsodilo Music and CIPA launched Sample Botswana, a local indigenous audio sample library aimed at keeping Botswana’s sounds in the digital economy.

Mining & Energy Deals: Giyani Metals says its Botswana K.Hill battery-grade manganese project has delivered positive definitive feasibility study results, with post-tax NPV of $481.5m (8% discount) and post-tax IRR of 20.3%, supporting a 25-year plan to produce HPMSM and HPMO. Diamonds & Trade: The World Federation of Diamond Bourses admitted Botswana and Angola as nation-affiliated members at its Gaborone summit, with discussions on responsible luxury, transparency and long-term competitiveness. Business & Investment Climate: Botswana’s push to diversify beyond diamonds is gaining momentum, with RMB Botswana pointing to growth in areas like financial services, tourism, trade and agro-processing as diamond demand weakens. Digital Economy & Skills: Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Microsoft launched a solar-powered Mobile Digital Lab in South Africa, training learners in digital literacy and AI foundations with Microsoft certifications. Governance & Property Risk: Matabeleland title deeds revalidation is drawing backlash, with critics warning the digital validation process could expose vulnerable families to exploitation and political targeting. Agriculture & Food Security: Botswana’s beef sector is under pressure as Foot-and-Mouth Disease spreads after April detections, threatening FMD-free market access. Regional Policy & Markets: South Africa’s central bank raised its key rate by 25 basis points to 7%, citing inflation risks linked to the Iran conflict—an important signal for regional borrowing costs.

Botswana Youth & Jobs: With unemployment hovering just under 40%, more young Batswana are turning to hustling—side gigs, freelancing and micro-businesses—to survive and grow, using social platforms to reach clients. Ritual Killings Debate: Political rhetoric around alleged ritual killings has reignited public anger and fear, with unresolved cases and court matters again shaping the national justice conversation. FMD & Livestock Support: In neighbouring South Africa’s uMgungundlovu, over 13,000 cattle were vaccinated in a day as campaigns expand—an issue that also matters for Botswana’s cross-border livestock health. Banking & Credit: Botswana’s credit growth remains weak after the diamond downturn, with banks tightening lending and profits under pressure as bad-debt provisions rise. Mining & Critical Minerals: Botswana is pushing deeper into the global diamond and critical-minerals conversation, including moves to defend its diamond sector as lab-grown competition grows. Business & Tech: ABL Diagnostics says it has secured new public tenders in multiple countries, including Botswana, to expand HIV and hepatitis testing workflows. Sports Business: Gaborone United retained the FNB Premiership title and now shifts focus to CAF Champions League preparations. Governance & Anti-Corruption: Ex-DCEC boss Rose Seretse received a major Commonwealth anti-corruption honour for helping set up the Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Centre in Botswana.

Youth & Jobs: With unemployment hovering just under 40%, many young Batswana are turning to hustling—side hustles, freelancing and micro-enterprises—to survive and grow, using social media and regional networks to find customers. Business & Finance: Bank Gaborone backed Gaborone United’s title run, while broader banking data points to cautious credit growth and tighter lending as the diamond downturn continues to strain liquidity. Football & Economy: Gaborone United retained the FNB Premiership with 74 points and prize money, shifting focus to the CAF Champions League—another chance to turn sport into business and tourism value. Diamonds & Trade: Botswana has joined the World Federation of Diamond Bourses, positioning itself to defend natural diamonds as lab-grown competition pressures prices and demand. Mining & Exploration: Botswana Minerals says AI-assisted work found 36 copper anomalies across its licences, with field exploration planned soon. Agriculture & Food Security: Foot-and-mouth disease is disrupting dairy expansion, while vaccination drives continue—highlighting how livestock health directly affects jobs and local production. Governance & Corruption: Ex-DCEC chief Rose Seretse received a major Commonwealth anti-corruption award for helping operationalise a regional centre in Botswana. Transport & Enforcement: Police recovered smuggled vehicles on the Plumtree Road, underscoring ongoing risks to the economy and public safety.

Windhoek Accountability Row: Windhoek activist Sem David is demanding the City and the Ministry release full details of Mayor Sackarias Uunona’s trip to the World Urban Forum in Baku, saying residents weren’t told in advance, only learned via Facebook, and questioning the cost and “practical benefits” to ratepayers. Regional Governance & Oversight: David also wants the same standards applied to Swapo-led councils as were used against opposition councils. Botswana Economy Watch: Bank of Botswana data shows credit growth still weak after the diamond downturn, with banks tightening lending and profits under pressure. Mining & Food Security: Botswana Minerals says an AI study found 36 copper anomalies on its licences, while FMD disruptions continue to hit dairy expansion plans. Sports & Business: Bank Gaborone backed Gaborone United’s league win, and Botswana’s football leadership remains in focus after BFA president Tariq Babitseng confirmed he’ll keep his COSAFA role.

Sanctions Loophole Watch: A new report says Russia’s shadow oil fleet has been using “African flags of convenience” after weak maritime registries were pulled into global shipping rankings, with the fleet reportedly generating €713m a day by March 2026. Diamond Economy: As lab-grown stones pressure prices, Botswana is leaning on stockpiling to protect long-term value and fiscal stability, while also pushing natural diamonds as heritage luxury. Governance & Ethics: Youth and Gender Minister Lesego Chombo urged ethical leadership and governance reforms at a SADC corporate summit, warning Botswana’s slowdown demands real accountability. FMD Fight: Botswana and South Africa are pushing coordinated action on foot-and-mouth disease, and a South African court ruling backs private vaccine procurement outside state systems. Finance Pressure: Botswana’s financial sector faces rising risks, while Botswana Meat Commission revenue climbed to P1bn by 2025 but losses and borrowing costs persist. Sports: Botswana’s Lilian Odira eyes a strong start in the Diamond League in Rabat on May 31.