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A week ago, on the 26th May 2026, Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) announced the immediate provisional suspension of 800m runner Letlhogonolo Mokgethi.

The athlete is alleged to have tested positive for a prohibited substance, 19-norandrosterone, during in-competition tests conducted on 04 April 2026. His suspension comes at a volatile time when the country is watching a court ‘doping saga’ involving four other track athletes. The four concerned athletes are Lydia Jele, Refilwe Murangi, Zibane Ngozi and Karabo Mothibi.

Worse still, it adds to the increasing number of local athletes serving suspensions for doping offenses. The global list of ineligible persons, as well as the latest sanctions for doping and non-doping violations, both published by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), shows nine (9) names of Botswana athletes on its lists.

Names featured in the global list of ineligible persons, which was published on 01st May 2026 are Laone Ditshetelo, Galaletsang Gabalotlegwe, Jele, Naledi Lopang, Tshepang Manyika, Ditiro Nzamani, Boipelo Pertunia Gaegopolwe and Murangi. The ninth name, that of Ngozi, appears in the latest sanctions for doping and non-doping violations which was published in May this year.

All the athletes in the list were given 3 years ineligibility sanction, with the exception of Ngozi and Jele, who were given 4 years and 8 years respectively. Jele’s 8 years ineligibility sanction comes as she had previously served another doping sanction.

Interestingly, the name of Mothibi, who along with Ngozi, Jele and Murangi are challenging their results in court, is not yet in the list. As the only athlete of the four who has contested his results, his case is still under review.

From this list however, Lopang’s suspension came to an end on the 26th May 2026 (this past month), while Ditshetelo’s will come to an end on 07th August 2026. Lopang’s samples had tested positive for 19-norandrosterone as well as Metandienone, while Ditshetelo had tested positive for Methandriol.

With regards to Jele, her latest suspension comes after she tested positive for stanozolol. Her first positive test, which occurred in January 2017, returned positive for Metandienone. Stanozolol is the same substance alleged to have been detected in Nzamani and Ngozi’s samples. Further to this, Ngozi’s samples are also alleged to have contained

As for Manyika, Murangi and Gabalotlegwe, the AIU list shows that their samples were found to contain oxymetholone. Oxymetholone is derivative of testosterone, and is alleged to significantly increases muscle mass. It is however said to possess adverse health risk as quick increase in muscle mass can lead to a tendon rupture from the increased load. It is also alleged that it can be ‘toxic to the liver, can supress anticlotting factors and can cause irreversible virilisation including deepening voice, acne and excess hair growth.’ In addition, Gabalotlegwe’s samples were found to contain metandienone.

The publishing of the results, more especially the addition of the trio of Jele, Murangi and Ngozi, which occurred this past month is expected to add a new twist to their ongoing court case.

By publishing the names of substances they are alleged to have taken, the AIU is literally stealing the thunder off their argument that their samples have not returned positive findings. The athletes’ argument has always been that their results show ‘no results,’ which they believe indicated nothing was found in their samples.

Despite high-level diplomatic engagements and commitments to deepen economic cooperation, tensions between Botswana and South Africa over agricultural import restrictions remain far from settled.

it has since emerged that the issue resurfaced during the Sixth Session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) held in Gaborone on May 21, 2026, where South African President Cyril Ramaphosa led his country’s delegation and agricultural trade emerged as one of the most sensitive issues on the agenda.

South African Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen used the meeting to voice Pretoria’s growing frustration over Botswana’s handling of restrictions on South African agricultural exports, particularly vegetables, saying producers and exporters have faced border restrictions without prior formal communication.

The remarks signal that the dispute, which has periodically strained relations between the two countries, remains unresolved despite previous understandings reached during the 2022 BNC process.

‘We believe that trade matters affecting our two countries should always be addressed through constructive engagement, transparency, mutual respect and amicable bilateral solutions,’ Steenhuisen said.

The minister said South Africa remained concerned about reports that agricultural products were being blocked at the border without adequate notice, creating uncertainty for farmers, exporters and retailers operating across the regional market.

In an effort to contain future disputes, the commission endorsed a Communication Protocol and approved the establishment of a Bilateral Agricultural Trade Task Team by June 2026.

According to Steenhuisen, the new mechanisms are intended to improve communication between the two governments, strengthen institutional cooperation and resolve trade concerns before they escalate into larger diplomatic disputes.

‘Greater coordination and transparency will provide increased certainty to producers, exporters, retailers and agricultural stakeholders on both sides of the border while strengthening the long-term agricultural relationship between our countries,’ he said.

Botswana has in recent years pursued an import-substitution strategy aimed at increasing domestic food production and reducing dependence on foreign agricultural products. The policy has resulted in restrictions on imports of several vegetables and other produce traditionally sourced from South Africa.

While Botswana maintains that the measures are necessary to support local farmers and improve food security, South African producers have repeatedly argued that abrupt restrictions undermine regional trade commitments and disrupt established supply chains.

The latest comments from Pretoria suggest that the matter remains a source of irritation despite broader efforts by the two countries to deepen economic integration.

Beyond the trade dispute, the BNC also focused heavily on cooperation in combating Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), which both countries regard as a major threat to livestock production and agricultural exports.

Steenhuisen welcomed the endorsement of a comprehensive 2026-2028 Action Plan aimed at strengthening cross-border disease management and called for urgent implementation of coordinated vaccination campaigns and improved maintenance of border fences.

‘With FMD posing an ongoing regional threat to livestock production, rural livelihoods and agricultural trade, it is clear that no country can defeat this disease in isolation,’ he said.

For the second year running, Vice President and Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe’s budget is facing a crisis of confidence after international institutions once again projected economic growth far below treasury forecasts, raising questions about whether government is budgeting on optimism rather than economic reality.

The latest blow comes from the African Development Bank (AfDB) whose African Economic Outlook 2026 report projects Botswana’s economy will grow by just 1.2 percent in 2026 before improving to 3.5 percent in 2027. The forecast stands in sharp contrast to the far more optimistic outlook presented by Gaolathe in his February budget speech, where he projected economic growth of 3.1 percent.

The gap is more than a statistical disagreement. It raises uncomfortable questions about whether the country’s chief economic manager is underestimating the depth of Botswana’s economic crisis or overselling the prospects of a recovery that remains stubbornly out of reach.

The caution from the AfDB adds to a growing chorus of international institutions warning that Botswana’s economic recovery will be weaker and slower than government projections suggest. The World Bank reported that GDP growth is projected to reach 2.7percent in 2026 and average 3.2 percent in 2027-28. This outlook reflects a modest recovery in diamond sales (albeit remaining well below historical values), gradual improvements in electricity supply, and an improved business climate supported by trade, financial, and administrative reforms. Poverty, at the US$3 per day (2021 PPP) line, is projected to remain broadly unchanged at19.7percent(around 513,000 people) in 2026.

Rating agency SandP Global was equally pessimistic when it downgraded Botswana’s sovereign credit rating earlier this year, forecasting growth of only 2.5 percent in 2026 while warning that structural problems in the global diamond market remain far from resolved.

Fitch Solutions has also revised down its expectations for Botswana, forecasting growth of just 2.3 percent for 2026 and describing any recovery as narrow, fragile and heavily dependent on a turnaround in mining rather than broad-based economic expansion.

Taken together, the forecasts paint a troubling picture. Virtually every major external institution sees a weaker economy than the one being projected by the Ministry of Finance.

More significantly, this is becoming a pattern. Last year, Treasury projections were similarly oversold the recovery narrative. During his maiden budget speech in 2025, Gaolathe optimistically forecasted a 3.3% economic expansion for the year, anticipating a strong rebound in diamond demand. However, the government was forced to revise its projections dramatically downward to nearly zero growth by mid-year.

By the end of the year, the ministry had to adjust the forecast further into negative territory, ultimately projecting an overall economic contraction of almost 1% (-0.9%) for 2025.

In its African Economic Outlook 2026 report, the AfDB thinks the economy will come out of recession, but warns that the recovery depends a lot on things Botswana cannot control, especially the global diamond market.

‘The main downside risk remains uncertainty in the diamond market and the Middle East conflict,’ the report says, warning that outside shocks could easily disrupt Botswana’s recovery.

The bank says growth will be helped by new investments in mining and more activity in other sectors, especially services. There will also be investments in agro-processing, digital technology, renewable energy, and tourism.

The AfDB expects Botswana’s fiscal deficit to reach 8.9 percent of GDP in 2026, then drop a little to 8.0 percent in 2027. The growing budget gap will likely be covered by borrowing, which puts more strain on public finances as borrowing costs go up.

Inflation is expected to average 6.2 percent in 2026, then fall to 4.7 percent in 2027 because of strict monetary policy.

The current account deficit is expected to grow to 6.4 percent of GDP next year, then shrink to 4.5 percent in 2027. This shows ongoing problems in external trade, even though diamond exports are expected to recover.

The report also questions whether Botswana can fund its development goals.

The AfDB says Botswana struggles to raise large amounts of development money because of its small tax base, heavy reliance on minerals, limited capital markets, and higher borrowing costs. Recent credit rating downgrades have made it even harder and more expensive for Botswana to get long-term loans, even though its public debt is not very high.

To improve its finances, the bank suggests Botswana should widen its tax base, collect more non-tax revenue, cut down on illegal financial flows, and make public investment more efficient.

The AfDB also urges the government to develop local capital markets, get pension funds involved in infrastructure projects, and speed up reforms of state-owned companies.

Besides financial issues, the report also highlights serious social problems.

About 17 percent of people in Botswana still live in extreme poverty, and unemployment is high at 27.6 percent. Youth unemployment is even worse at 38.2 percent. The bank says slow growth in real GDP per person has held back inclusive development, even though Botswana has a fairly high Human Development Index score of 0.731. The report suggests that while leaders expect growth to return, many people in Botswana may still face tough times for years.

Francistown City Council(FCC) is currently in dire need of an estimated P335 million to revive its crumbling infrastructure. Heavy rains experienced between February and April 2026 have also worsened the situation leaving a trail of destruction causing significant damage to the Francistown roads and other associated infrastructure.

As an interim measure the City Council requires approximately P12 million for pot hole patching and related maintanence works. The city council already has in place 7 000 bags of cold asphalt premix sufficient to to patch approximately 3 500m2 of potholes. Current works are focusing on major roads including Martin Luther King, Junior Road, Dinokwe Road, Diselammapa Road, New Bridge Road, Blue Jacket Road and Boipuso Road. However the A1 Central Police Road which has been closed for some time due to maintenance is now open for traffic.

Francistown Mayor Gaone Majere made the revelation when addressing a full council meeting last week.

In yet another shocking revelation, Majere expressed frustrations over the current dilapidated water infrastructure in Francistown under Water Utilities Corporation which dates as far back as the 70’s spanning close to 50 years. The aging infrastructure has also not been properly maintained over the years resulting in frequent pipe bursts and water leakages affecting parts of the city such as Blocks, Gerald Estates, Area S, Area W,Light industrial, Dumela Industrial and Minestone.

‘Records from Water Utilities Corporation indicate that more than 1 200 leakages have been reported. The main cause remains aging asbestos cement installed during the 1970’s,’ he said.

He however said in the short term Water Utilities Corporation continues to prioritize repairs and is in the process of outsourcing certain repair works to improve response times. Meanwhile the Mayor stated that the Greater Francistown Master Plan project estimated at around P3 billion under the National Development Plan 12 remains the city’s priority project. This Master Plan(2024 – 2048) maps out the region’s 24-year urban transformation into a leading logistical gateway and model city. The goal is to accommodate an anticipated population boom while driving economic revitalization of the city.

Street lighting illumination in the city currently stands at 45 percent against the required 90 percent. Majere said despite challenges such as vandalism, cable theft and shortages of materials improvements are expected following installations of solar streetlights under the Road Levy Funding Programme which commenced on 21 May 2026. On diversification of the city’s economy he said they remain committed to transforming Francistown into a resilient, competitive and sustainable economic hub aligned with Botswana’s aspiration under Urban Development Plan 5, National Development Plan 12 and vision 2026. In this regard he said the city remains committed to diversifying its economy through sectors such as tourism particularly sports tourism and the promotion of Francistown Heritage Trail. These initiatives are intended to position the city as a vibrant tourism and and investment destination while creating employment and business opportunities for local communities.

Botswana’s private sector is expected to face even more challenges in 2026. A new report from Business Monitor International (BMI) warns that increased government borrowing could make it harder for businesses to get loans in an already tight credit market.

The report describes an economy that is having trouble bouncing back after shrinking by about 0.7 percent in 2025. BMI predicts only a small recovery, with growth of 1.5 percent in 2026, due to weak global demand for diamonds, ongoing uncertainty in mining, and rising financial pressures.

While much of the report focuses on the banking sector, the implications extend far beyond bank balance sheets and directly affect businesses, entrepreneurs, and ordinary citizens seeking access to credit.

‘With fiscal buffers eroding and financing requirements increasing, the government is likely to maintain a significant presence in domestic debt markets,’ BMI said.

The report warns that the effects could be serious.

‘This raises the risk of crowding out private sector credit, as banks allocate a larger share of their balance sheets to government securities.’

Put simply, banks might choose to lend more to the government instead of businesses, since government loans are seen as safer and more reliable. This could make it harder for companies to get the money they need to grow or run their operations.

This warning comes when Botswana’s private sector is already in a tough spot. BMI expects household incomes to stay under pressure in 2026, which will lower demand for goods and services. Companies are also likely to delay investments because of the uncertain economy.

‘Corporates are likely to delay investment decisions amid uncertainty,’ the report states, adding that banks will continue prioritising lower-risk lending while maintaining cautious credit standards.

These sentiments come at a time when local economist Dr Keith Jefferis of Econsult has raised similar concerns in his recent reviews. He warned that increased government borrowing could further drain liquidity from the financial sector and crowd out private sector lending. With banks already operating under tighter liquidity conditions and rising credit risk, increased government absorption of available funds could limit credit extension to productive sectors, undermining private-sector-led growth.

The BMI report also points out that rising interest rates are having an impact.

Following a sharp rise in inflation, driven largely by higher global energy prices linked to the ongoing US-Iran conflict, the Bank of Botswana raised its benchmark interest rate by 200 basis points to 5.5 percent in April 2026.

BMI expects inflation to average 9.7 percent this year, well above the central bank’s target range, with another interest rate increase likely before year-end.

This means that loans will become more expensive for both households and businesses.

‘Higher lending rates will suppress credit demand and reduce affordability, particularly among households,’ BMI noted.

Businesses already facing weak sales and higher costs may find it even harder to expand or create jobs if borrowing becomes more expensive.

The banking system is also under pressure because there is still not enough cash available.

Even though the central bank stepped in and the government spent more in 2025, BMI says there are still big problems in the system. These include most deposits being held by a few banks, a reliance on short-term funding, and some banks having much more cash than others.

BMI expects loans to customers to grow by only 4.2 percent in 2026, which is much lower than the 10-year average of 7 percent.

The report is also worried about Botswana’s worsening financial situation. Lower mining income and less money from the Southern African Customs Union are putting more strain on government finances. Public debt has already hit the legal limit of 20 percent of GDP, which means the government has less room to spend and must rely more on borrowing within the country.

BMI notes that government securities already account for around one-fifth of banking sector assets.

‘Further increases would limit the availability of credit to households and businesses, reinforcing the weak credit growth outlook,’ the report warned.

While Botswana’s banks remain well-capitalised and financially stable, BMI cautions that their ability to support economic recovery will become increasingly constrained.

What it means for households, businesses, and banks?

The economy is likely to grow slowly in 2026. Households will have to deal with higher costs of living and borrowing, businesses will struggle to get affordable loans, and banks will be more careful about lending. All of this could slow down economic activity and job growth.

Many people in Botswana may have a tougher year ahead. Higher interest rates will make it more expensive to borrow for homes, cars, and personal needs. At the same time, rising prices will keep pushing up the cost of living, so families will have less buying power. As businesses slow down hiring and investment, there may also be fewer job opportunities.

It may become harder and more expensive for companies to get loans from banks. As the government borrows more, banks might prefer lending to the government since it is seen as a safer bet. This could slow down business growth, reduce investment, and limit job creation, especially for small and medium-sized businesses.

Botswana’s banks are still stable and have enough capital, but they are becoming more careful. With more government borrowing, less cash available, and ongoing uncertainty, banks will probably lend less freely. While banks might gain from holding more government debt, this could mean less support for private businesses and a slower economic recovery overall.

Botswana’s financial sector is at a critical point. Higher interest rates have helped keep deposits stable and support the economy, but they are also making it harder for people and businesses to get loans. At the same time, the government’s need for more money could make cash even tighter and make it even harder for the private sector to borrow.

Bo.Plug, Botswana’s newest advertising enterprise has officially launched, bringing a bold promise to revolutionise both informal trade and advertising in the country through professionally built workstations that double as advertising platforms.

On 25th of May 2026, the enterprise kicked off its landmark Re A Go Plug’a! activation where they partnered with 7 informal traders in the CBD and Main Mall to use the very first set of workstations. ‘Informal traders are the backbone of the everyday economy. They serve thousands of people daily providing affordable essentials, supporting families, and keeping communities moving. Yet most of them trade from improvised and unstable setups,’ said Bakang Sethole, Bo.Plug Business Developer, on the reasoning behind this venture. ‘These makeshift setups don’t reflect the scale of the traders’ effort or the economic value they create.’

With a vision to empower the informal sector, Bo.Plug developed a local solution with national impact through the design, manufacture, and maintenance of durable, professionally-designed workstations that give traders the structure and support they deserve, while creating shared value for brands and cities.

The message is simple; if you hustle, you deserve a proper workstation. Each table is locally fabricated, giving traders a professional platform while creating a circular business model that benefits brands, traders, and Gaborone city alike.

The Re A Go Plug’a! activation is expected to continue into 4 other areas of Gaborone’s highest-traffic zones, engaging a further 8 informal traders. ‘Every trader who signs up is proof that this product is needed. The activation is more than just a deployment, it’s a live demonstration of market demand, and the beginning of a movement to raise the standard for every informal trader in the country,’ concluded Sethole.

Bo.Plug not only acts as a product provider, but as a long-term partner in strengthening Botswana’s informal economy, innovating marketing efforts for corporates and local businesses alike, and creating cleaner, safer environments for Batswana to live and work in.

Bo.Plug is a Botswana-based advertising enterprise that designs, manufactures, and maintains durable workstations for informal traders. By combining practical design with social purpose, Bo.Plug creates a circular model where community empowerment, responsible branding, and urban improvement work hand in hand designed, built, and maintained right here in Botswana.

Botswana remains heavily dependent on imported food staples despite maintaining stable food availability levels and achieving self-sufficiency in some locally grown crops, according to the country’s first comprehensive Food Balance Sheet.

The report, compiled by the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture and Statistics Botswana with support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), found that Botswana produced enough food to provide an average of 2,690 kilocalories per person per day between 2021 and 2023, comfortably above internationally accepted minimum dietary energy requirements.

However, beneath that apparent stability lies a structural vulnerability. The country remains overwhelmingly reliant on foreign suppliers for key grains consumed by households and businesses.

‘The national FBS results indicate that the country relies more on imports for major cereal crops especially rice, wheat and maize,’ the report states.

According to the findings, Botswana imported all of its rice requirements during the review period, while import dependency for wheat ranged between 98% and 99%. Maize, a dietary staple, also remained heavily import-dependent, with imports accounting for 80% to 89% of domestic supply.

Domestic production tells a different story for traditional grains. The report found Botswana was consistently self-sufficient in millet, with production exceeding domestic demand in some years, while sorghum production remained relatively strong. ‘The overall FBS results shows that Botswana is self-sufficient on sorghum and millet and highly dependent on imports for wheat, maize and rice for the years 2021-2023,’ the report says.

The data also sheds light on what is feeding the nation. More than half of the country’s dietary energy supply comes from just five commodities: maize flour, wheat flour, sunflower oil, sugar and milk. Flour of maize alone accounted for 21% of total daily calorie intake, making it the single largest contributor to Botswana’s food energy supply.

While calorie availability remained broadly stable, some nutritional indicators moved in the opposite direction. Protein availability declined from 75.3 grams per person per day in 2021 to 69.8 grams in 2023, while supplies of magnesium, zinc and iron also showed weakening trends over the period.

The report warns that Botswana’s food system remains exposed to external shocks through its dependence on imported staples. It recommends greater crop diversification, increased investment in agricultural research, support programmes for farmers and the development of drought-resistant crop varieties to strengthen long-term food security.

The publication marks a milestone for Botswana’s agricultural statistics. Officials described it as the country’s first national Food Balance Sheet, a tool designed to provide a comprehensive picture of food supply, consumption and nutrition trends. ‘The FBS data helps to assess whether a country is food self-sufficient or more dependent on food imports to feed its population,’ the report notes.