AGP Executive Report

Investment & Diversification: Tanzanian billionaire Mohammed “Mo” Dewji (MeTL Group) met Botswana’s President Duma Boko, the Bank of Botswana governor and Botswana Stock Exchange leadership in Gaborone, discussing private-sector participation as Botswana pushes the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme, with renewable energy and financial services flagged. Business & Markets: One Bullion has started a 2026 diamond drilling programme at its Vumba Gold Project in Botswana—about 3,000m across ten HQ holes—to test mineralised structures and support a stronger 3D geological model. Health & Agriculture: Lesotho expects 10,000 doses of Botswana’s Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccine to arrive in Botha-Bothe for cattle administration, as officials prioritise hotspots and note trade partners have paused imports. Energy & Tech: Abu Dhabi’s M42 signed a 10-year partnership with Botswana’s Ministry of Health for digital health transformation, genomics and precision medicine, plus support for pharma and medical supply chains. Sports & Economy: Botswana’s Ballin N Da Bush Safari Classic basketball tournament is set for Sept 28–30 in Gaborone with a US$100,000 prize purse, aiming to build a commercial basketball ecosystem for local players. Crime & Security: Botswana Police arrested suspects over a P375,000 robbery of three businessmen in Maun, including two Zimbabweans and a Botswana man, with cases linked to prior violent crime.

Tourism Industry Advocacy: HATAB outlines how it represents airlines, camps, lodges, conservation, hotels and tour operators, citing wins like pushing back on local per diem rules and helping clear tourist visa delays. Youth & Entrepreneurship: Japan-funded Empower Africa opens to 7,000 youth and women across 11 Anglophone countries, including Botswana, with training in entrepreneurship, AI, leadership and investment readiness. Investment Interest: MeTL Group president Mo Dewji met Botswana’s leadership and the Bank of Botswana and BSE, saying he’s now eyeing fresh opportunities in renewables and financial services under BETP. Business & Markets: Botswana’s BTC launches an Investor Day roadshow in Gaborone, Francistown and Maun to engage its 39,000+ shareholders. Mining & Exploration: One Bullion starts its 2026 diamond drilling at the Vumba Gold Project, targeting structural corridors; Verity also secures renewed prospecting licences for copper-silver and nickel-copper-PGE projects. Agriculture & Trade: Lesotho expects 10,000 FMD vaccine doses from Botswana, with priority given to the hardest-hit areas. Legal & Governance: The Law Society of Botswana loses an FMD-related counsel challenge, while Alphonse Ndzinge seeks a separate trial in the P250m NPF case. Security: Botswana Police arrest suspects over a P375,000 Maun robbery involving two Zimbabweans and a local man. Sports & Economy: Botswana prepares the Ballin N Da Bush Safari Classic (Sept 28–30) with a US$100,000 prize purse, aiming to build a wider basketball ecosystem.

Botswana Mining & Energy: Verity Resources secured four renewed prospecting licences in eastern Botswana, extending tenure over its Airstrip and Dibete copper-silver discoveries and the Maibele North resource, keeping advanced copper targets in play. Healthcare Deal: Abu Dhabi’s M42 signed a 10-year agreement with Botswana’s health ministry for a national genomics programme, digitised health records and improved access to medicines, aiming to strengthen supply chains and help Botswana “leapfrog” legacy systems. Capital Markets & Investment: Botswana Stock Exchange engagement gets a boost as the UK’s MOBILIST partners with BSE to unlock private investment and broaden listed products; BTC also launches an Investor Day roadshow across Gaborone, Francistown and Maun to deepen dialogue with its 39,000+ shareholders. Policy & Labour: Security firms warn Botswana’s new working-hour rules under the Employment and Labour Relations Act could raise staffing costs and force operational restructuring. Immigration & Travel: Botswana grants Omani nationals visa-free entry for up to 90 days, but the move is not reciprocal for Batswana. Governance Watch: Botswana’s Impact Citizenship Programme remains stalled before formal applications, with officials citing unfinished regulations and operating structures. Security & Crime: Police arrested suspects in Maun over a robbery involving more than P375,000, and separate cases saw Zimbabweans detained over suspected stolen copper cables. Business/Regional: MTN Group reported strong first-half growth driven by Ghana and Nigeria, with fintech mobile money activity continuing to expand.

Capital Markets & Investment: Botswana Stock Exchange gets a boost as UK’s MOBILIST partners with BSE to unlock private investment and broaden listed products for pension funds and asset managers. Corporate Governance: Botswana’s BTC launches an Investor Day Roadshow starting 27 August in Gaborone, then Francistown and Maun, to engage its 39,000+ shareholders on performance and growth plans. Policy & Labour: Security firms warn Botswana’s new Employment and Labour Relations Act working-hour rules may raise staffing costs, while government also flags visa violations and misuse of asylum processes by Batswana abroad that could trigger tougher travel restrictions. Immigration & Crime: Police arrest two Zimbabweans and a Motswana in Maun over a robbery allegedly involving over P375,000, and separately arrest two more Zimbabweans over suspected stolen copper cables. Health & Tech: Abu Dhabi’s M42 signs a 10-year deal with Botswana’s health ministry for a national genomics programme, digitised records and improved medicine access. Business & Economy: Botswana’s Impact Citizenship Programme remains stalled before formal applications, with officials citing unfinished regulations and operating structures. Regional Business: MTN Group reports strong first-half growth, led by Ghana and Nigeria. Sports & Money: Nsingizini Hotspurs Ladies exit CAF qualifying after a 5-1 loss to Malawi’s Silver Strikers, missing a US$150,000 prize.

Immigration Crackdown: Botswana’s Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs says a cartel behind hacked systems has enabled foreigners to obtain fake work and residence permits, fueling illegal work, tax evasion and scams against microlenders and even furniture shops; 13 suspended ministry employees are under investigation as government vows tougher action. Standards for Local Industry: BOBS is fast-tracking new standards for local manufacturers, including blue and processed hides/skins and finished leather products, plus a wood sawdust specification for poultry bedding—aimed at boosting value-add manufacturing. Crime Update: Two Zimbabweans were arrested over a Maun robbery allegedly involving over P375,000 cash and property worth more than P80,000; investigations also cite prior wanted-list cases and one suspect’s prohibited-immigrant status. Capital Markets: Continental Reinsurance has opened a public offer on the Botswana Stock Exchange, positioning it as the first reinsurer to trade on the BSE and giving investors direct exposure to a pan-African reinsurance business. Sports & Business Spotlight: Botswana-based football action continues with Silver Strikers Ladies’ CAF Women’s Champions League/COSAFA Qualifier semi-final qualification in Gaborone, while Botswana’s boxing body introduces a P20 weight-in fee as it tightens grant compliance. Regional Energy Link: U.S.-backed talks are set to bring power-sector stakeholders from Angola, Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia to discuss modernising electricity distribution and grid control systems.

CAF Women’s Champions League (COSAFA qualifier): Silver Strikers Ladies thrashed Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs 5-1 at Gaborone United Stadium to book a semi-final berth, with Grace Kakangula scoring early and Carlo Mathyola completing a hat-trick as the Bankers dominated after the break. Fuel security & regional trade: Mozambique-Zimbabwe pipeline operator CPMZ says the Beira–Harare fuel corridor will jump 67% by end-2027, raising Beira-Feruka capacity from 3m to 5m cubic metres after new pumping stations are built. Digital skills for youth: Botswana’s BAC partnered with BNYC to train 14 out-of-school youth in ICT, AI, and employability skills in Gaborone, ending with certification. Tax & revenue pressure: AfDB urges Botswana to diversify domestic revenue as diamond receipts weaken, calling for stronger BURS systems, better enforcement, and interoperable digital tax tools. Illicit fuel crackdown: BURS and BERA signed an MoU to curb fuel trading leakages, with losses sometimes put at P4 billion. Mining skills pipeline: Khoemacau Copper Mining and Botswana’s Ministry of Higher Education will set up a Mining Centre of Excellence at Maun Technical College to close the skills gap. Sports governance: Botswana Boxing Association introduced a P20 weight-in fee to meet grant compliance requirements and fund awards.

Mining Skills Push: Botswana’s Ministry of Higher Education and China-invested Khoemacau Copper Mining will set up a Mining Centre of Excellence at Maun Technical College to close the mining skills gap. Tax & Revenue Crackdown: AfDB urges Botswana to strengthen tax administration as diamond receipts weaken, while BURS and BERA team up to curb illicit fuel trading and plug leakages estimated up to P4bn. Household Credit Squeeze: Bank Botswana data shows household lending fell about P2bn in May as borrowing costs stay high, with banks more cautious amid weaker activity. Capital Markets Momentum: The BSE reports gains in 2026 so far, with foreign-listed stocks leading and a push to internationalise via links like the Tabadul agreement. Energy & Infrastructure Links: A U.S. delegation plans grid modernisation partnerships across Southern Africa, and Mozambique–Zimbabwe’s Beira-Harare fuel corridor expansion aims to boost regional fuel security. Corporate Watch: CA&S faces market nerves over Botswana exposure as lab-grown diamonds pressure revenue. Sports & Business: Botswana’s refurbished National Stadium regains CAF Category 3 status, paving the way for elite football back in Gaborone.

Property Market Regulation: REIB will host a Real Estate, Compliance & Professional Practice Conference in Gaborone on 28 August to tackle gaps in Botswana’s property market, including risks from unregistered estate agencies and the need for tighter coordination across deeds, conveyancing, valuation and regulators. Education & Mobility: The UK has published a list of countries whose students are exempt from proving proof of funds for student visas, though even exempt applicants can be asked for financial proof. Banking & Households: Bank of Botswana data shows household lending fell by P2 billion in May 2026 as borrowing costs stay high, with households down 3.6% year-on-year. Energy & Revenue Protection: BURS and BERA signed an MoU to improve oversight of fuel imports and border controls to curb illicit fuel trade and revenue leakages. Mining Diversification: Botswana granted Orano three new uranium prospecting licences in the Central Kalahari, as the country pushes beyond diamonds. Capital Markets: The BSE reported strong first-half momentum and a push for internationalisation, including links with Abu Dhabi and Dubai commodity trading hubs. Women & Business: BITC and BIUST signed a five-year MoU to fast-track Botswana’s STEM economy by linking research, investment and youth talent.

Banking & SME Finance: First Capital Bank and Debswana signed an MoU to help citizen suppliers bridge the gap between winning contracts and getting paid, offering working capital, asset financing and term lending plus business support. Energy Investment: Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe says Botswana is drawing unprecedented interest in power generation, but transmission grid constraints are still holding back new projects. Digital Payments: Mukuru launched a chip-and-PIN wallet card with Visa and Access Bank Botswana, letting customers pay for goods and services using wallet funds. Public Debt Watch: Government is eyeing a domestic debt ceiling increase to P85bn as it continues funding budget deficits amid the diamond downturn. Crypto Risk: Zondacrypto has vanished with executives missing and customer funds frozen, while its token value has collapsed—another warning for users. Regional Trade Push: President Duma Boko called for more open borders and flexible trade corridors across SADC to cut costs and attract investment. Agribusiness: Botswana is scaling up safflower production as a drought-tolerant crop to boost food security and smallholder incomes. Health Cooperation: Botswana donated 100,000 FMD vaccine doses to Lesotho to protect livestock and farmers. Sports & Business: Botswana-Nigeria ties got a boost at a forum in Gaborone, positioning Nigeria to use Botswana as a production and distribution launchpad into SADC.

Regional Trade & Investment: Nigeria and Botswana are pushing closer business ties, with Botswana positioned as a production and distribution launchpad into SADC under AfCFTA. Security & Human Stories: Southern African mothers in Botswana and beyond are pleading for sons allegedly lured into Russia’s war in Ukraine, as authorities warn recruiters are still active. Livestock & Public Health: Botswana has donated 100,000 FMD vaccine doses to Lesotho to protect farmers and support cross-border disease control. Business & Markets: Namibia’s Ongwediva Trade Fair opens with demand outstripping space—1,872 applications for exhibition spots but only 485 accommodated—prompting calls to expand the trade fair centre. Agribusiness: Botswana is spotlighting safflower as a climate-resilient crop to boost food security and smallholder incomes. Policy & Governance: Botswana President Duma Boko calls for more open borders and trade corridors across SADC to cut costs and attract investment. Payments & Digital Finance (Region): Stanbic Bank launches StanPay in Zimbabwe, moving into mobile-wallet competition against EcoCash. Sports (Botswana-hosted): Silver Strikers Ladies begin the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifier in Gaborone with a 2-1 comeback win.

SADC Trade Push: Botswana President Duma Boko urged more open borders and freer movement of goods across the region, saying flexible trade routes and lower barriers can cut costs, ease border delays and attract investment. Livestock Health Support: Botswana donated 100,000 FMD vaccine doses to Lesotho, with officials stressing that animal diseases don’t respect borders and calling for stronger regional monitoring and cooperation. Agribusiness Opportunity: Safflower is gaining traction in Botswana as a drought-tolerant crop that can help smallholders boost food security and incomes, while also feeding agro-processing through edible oil and livestock feed. Regional Finance & Payments: Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe launched StanPay, a mobile wallet aimed at widening access to cash-in/cash-out and bill payments, directly challenging EcoCash’s dominance. Botswana Economy Watch: Botswana’s marriages fell to a decade low while births outside wedlock rose sharply, according to 2024 vital registration data. Governance & Courts: Botswana’s Noah Salakae faces court over corruption-linked allegations tied to a major road contract, with a Fortuner reportedly featuring in the case narrative. Sports & Business: Silver Strikers Ladies began their CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifier with a comeback win in Gaborone, while MTN Nigeria celebrated CHAMPS athletes after international success.

Agribusiness & Food Security: Botswana is scaling up safflower production as a drought-tolerant, low-input crop that can boost food security and smallholder incomes, with potential for edible oil and livestock feed processing. Infrastructure & Regional Trade: Zambezi communities have been urged to work with consultants on the rehabilitation of the Kongola–Mulangu road, a key corridor for trucks moving between Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Angola. Digital Finance Competition: Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe launches StanPay, a mobile wallet aimed at challenging EcoCash’s dominance—an example of how mobile payments are intensifying across the region. Transport & Connectivity: NetOne has installed a network booster in Beitbridge West (Shashi) to expand local coverage and improve access to calls and mobile money. Governance & Accountability: Botswana’s political landscape faces fresh pressure as MP Noah Salakae is linked to a corruption case, with court appearances set. Demography & Social Trends: Botswana records a sharp fall in registered marriages and a rise in births outside wedlock, according to 2024 vital statistics. Business & Lifestyle: Gaborone’s Zorz Luxury Chisanyama is set to open, bringing a premium take on the social, music-led dining concept.

CAF Stadium Update: Zimbabwe’s National Sports Stadium in Harare has been granted CAF Category 3 approval, ending a near five-year exile and reopening the door for Warriors home qualifiers and major CAF/FIFA matches. Regional Gender Watch: Southern Africa’s expanded gender and development score stands at 58%, with gains in law and representation but rising political, legal and financial pressure on those achievements. Botswana Environment Policy: Botswana will phase in a comprehensive ban on single-use plastic bags, with government saying it will protect livestock, public health and jobs while pushing retooling toward recyclable and biodegradable alternatives. Sports & Business: Silver Strikers Ladies kick off the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifier in Gaborone with a 2-1 comeback win over Costa do Sol. Local Economy & Tourism: Zorz Luxury Chisanyama is set to open in Gaborone, aiming to upscale the chisanyama experience with food, music and community. Governance & Courts: Noah Salakae’s corruption case continues as a Toyota Fortuner linked to the matter is highlighted in court documents ahead of his appearance. Botswana Data: Marriages registered in Botswana fell to a decade low in 2024, while births outside wedlock made up 84% of registered births. Payments & Tech: Absa’s AI chatbot and Standard Bank’s UnionPay expansion across nine African markets underline the push for faster digital commerce.

Botswana Politics & Courts: The DCEC corruption case involving MP Noah Salakae is back in focus after reports he has been served with court documents and is set to appear in court on 28 August, with allegations tied to a P1.535bn road contract and a Toyota Fortuner linked to the matter. Environment & Regulation: Botswana has announced a phased ban on single-use plastic bags, with ministries saying the shift will protect livestock, public health and jobs while pushing manufacturers toward recyclable and biodegradable alternatives. Business & Payments: Standard Bank and UnionPay are expanding e-commerce acceptance across nine African markets, including Botswana, giving online merchants more cross-border payment options. Sports & Community: Silver Strikers Ladies kicked off the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifier in Gaborone with a 2-1 comeback win over Mozambique’s Costa do Sol. Society & Demographics: Botswana’s births outside wedlock rose to 84% of registered births in 2024, while registered marriages fell 41% to 4,517, the lowest in a decade. Regional Integration: SADC leaders meeting in Durban renewed calls to speed up industrialisation and regional value chains, arguing slow integration is costing jobs and investment.

Environment & Trade: Botswana will phase in a comprehensive ban on single-use plastic bags, with government working with manufacturers to retool toward recyclable and biodegradable options. Capital Markets: Botswana Development Corporation and the Botswana Stock Exchange signed an MoU to boost enterprise investment readiness and help mobilise long-term capital into productive sectors. Agriculture & Health: Botswana is intensifying foot-and-mouth disease controls as outbreaks threaten cross-border livestock trade, with Parliament hearing measures to protect export access. Infrastructure & Logistics: The Trans-Kalahari Railway has entered its procurement phase after feasibility work confirmed the 1,850km corridor is viable, with a PPP concession model expected to start procurement in August 2026. Payments & Fintech: Standard Bank and UnionPay expanded e-commerce acceptance across nine African markets including Botswana, giving merchants more cross-border checkout options. Banking Tech: Absa says its agentic AI chatbot now handles 100,000+ queries monthly from about 1.6m users as it modernises platforms. Business & Markets: CA Sales reported a modest earnings rise for the first half and expects stronger second-half trading as acquisitions contribute. Sports (Regional): Silver Strikers Ladies arrived in Gaborone for the CAF Women’s Champions League–COSAFA qualifiers, starting against Mozambique’s Costa do Sol.

Botswana Capital Markets: Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) and the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) signed an MoU to boost enterprise investment readiness and deepen capital-market access, including SME capacity building, investor education and ESG readiness. Banking & Payments: Absa says its agentic AI chatbot is handling 100,000+ queries monthly from about 1.6m users, while Standard Bank and UnionPay expanded e-commerce acceptance to nine African markets including Botswana. Digital Finance Access: Mukuru launched its Visa Companion Card in Botswana, letting unbanked users pay for everyday goods and online purchases directly from their Mukuru Wallet balance. Health & Climate Risk: Botswana is bracing for El Niño-driven heat and dry spells, with health authorities warning of rising risks like heat stress, dehydration and heat stroke. Livestock Trade Protection: Botswana is intensifying foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) controls to protect rural livelihoods and cross-border livestock trade as outbreaks spread across SADC. Infrastructure & Trade: The Trans-Kalahari Railway moved into procurement after feasibility work, targeting a 1,850km corridor to link Botswana’s minerals to Walvis Bay. Business Performance: CA Sales Holdings reported a modest H1 earnings rise and expects stronger second-half trading from acquisitions. Regional Integration: SADC leaders pushed for faster industrialisation and more value addition instead of exporting raw materials.