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FCC needs over P330 million to revive infrastructure

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.

Bo.Plug hits the streets!

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.

More than half of Nigeria’s economy remains outside tax net -Moody’s

MORE than half of Nigeria’s economy continues to operate outside the formal system, despite years of reforms aimed at expanding the tax net, according to a new report by Moody’s Ratings.

The informal economy accounts for nearly 55 percent of official GDP, one of the highest levels in Sub-Saharan Africa, the ratings agency said. The widespread informality is limiting tax collection, weakening economic policy implementation, and constraining long-term growth.

The finding underscores a persistent structural challenge for Africa’s largest economy, even as the federal government intensifies efforts to boost non-oil revenue, improve tax compliance, and reduce reliance on borrowing amid rising debt-servicing costs and fiscal pressures following the removal of petrol subsidies.

Successive administrations have pursued reforms over the past decade, including digital tax administration platforms, financial inclusion drives, cashless payment policies, and broader taxpayer registration initiatives. Yet a substantial share of economic activity remains beyond official oversight.

Moody’s noted that informality is particularly entrenched in key sectors such as agriculture, retail trade, transportation, construction, and small-scale services – areas that provide livelihoods for millions of Nigerians outside formal employment structures.

‘Large informal economies constrain fiscal capacity, productivity growth and policy effectiveness,’ the ratings agency stated.

Sub-Saharan Africa remains the world’s most informal region, but Nigeria stands out due to the sheer size of its economy and population. The country’s informal sector is among the largest in the region, according to Moody’s.

While a large informal economy is not inherently a sign of weakness – it provides essential employment and acts as a critical safety net during economic downturns – its scale in Nigeria poses significant drawbacks for public finances and development planning.

Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio remains among the lowest globally, despite modest recent improvements. Policymakers have consistently flagged revenue mobilisation as a top priority.

The African Development Bank has estimated that African countries could collectively mobilise an additional $469 billion annually through stronger tax administration, digitalisation, and compliance measures, without raising tax rates.

Moody’s suggested that successfully reducing informality could strengthen public finances and enhance Nigeria’s economic resilience. However, achieving this will require sustained, multifaceted reforms that balance formalisation incentives with the realities of millions of Nigerians who rely on informal activities for survival.

EVs reduce pollution in China

Across China, a significant rise in the number of electric vehicle (EV) users has contributed to improved air quality in many urban areas. As a result, there has been a noticeable decline in deaths linked to pollution-related diseases, AzerNEWS reports.

Air pollution is responsible for more than four million premature deaths each year worldwide, with roughly a quarter of these occurring in China. The primary source of this pollution is vehicles powered by fossil fuels, which emit carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and other harmful compounds that pose serious health risks when inhaled.

China is currently the world leader in the production and adoption of electric vehicles. Over the past two decades, the government has invested hundreds of billions of US dollars in subsidies, tax incentives, and industrial policies aimed at accelerating EV manufacturing and consumer adoption. By 2025, more than half of all new cars sold in China were electric or hybrid vehicles.

According to a recent study using satellite-based air quality measurements, this transition has already produced measurable environmental benefits. In around 150 cities where ‘new energy vehicles’ (including electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-powered cars) have become increasingly popular, carbon monoxide levels dropped by more than 30% compared to a hypothetical scenario in which all vehicles still relied on internal combustion engines. In addition, concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) decreased by over 23%.

Interestingly, some cities have even begun integrating EV expansion with smart urban planning systems-such as AI-driven traffic management and low-emission zones-which further amplify the positive environmental impact.

Researchers emphasize that while electrification alone does not fully solve environmental challenges, it represents a major step forward. The findings provide some of the strongest large-scale evidence so far that the shift to electric mobility delivers not only climate benefits, but also tangible improvements in public health and everyday urban living conditions.

Kazakhstan and Shell launched subsurface project

The Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, JSC ‘National Geological Survey,’ and Shell Kazakhstan have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of hydrocarbon data research and analysis, AzerNEWS reports.

The practical core of the agreement will be the launch of a pilot project aimed at developing a modern geographic information system that will integrate and structure dispersed geological datasets into a unified digital platform.

The partnership focuses on the exchange of global best practices and the digitalization of archival geological information. The document also establishes a framework for joint specialist training, the implementation of advanced analytical tools, and comprehensive subsurface studies.

A key added dimension of the initiative will be the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies for processing geological data. This is expected to improve the accuracy of predicting prospective hydrocarbon deposits and accelerate investment decision-making processes.

Overall, the digital transformation is expected to significantly enhance understanding of the country’s resource potential, increase the efficiency of exploration activities, and strengthen the investment attractiveness of Kazakhstan’s oil and gas sector.

National GM starts int’l tournament with strong victory

The third UzChess Cup International Chess Tournament has officially started in Uzbekistan, AzerNEWS reports.

Azerbaijan is represented by several members of its national chess team at the event.

Grandmaster Shahriyar Mammadyarov is competing in the elite “Masters” section, where he successfully opened his campaign with a victory against India’s Vidit Gujrathi in the first round, earning an early full point.

In the “Challenge” section of the tournament, Azerbaijan is also represented by Eltaj Safarli and Mahammad Muradli, whose first-round games are scheduled to take place today.

The third UzChess is an international chess tournament held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.It is organized by the Uzbekistan Chess Federation and is part of the FIDE Circuit.

The competition features four sections: Masters, Challengers, Futures, and Open. The Masters section includes 10 elite grandmasters in a round-robin format.

The total prize fund is about $121,500. The Masters prize fund is around $80,000.

The tournament is considered one of the strongest chess events in Central Asia.

Shahriyar Mammadyarov is an Azerbaijani chess grandmaster and one of the most successful players of his generation. He earned the Grandmaster title in 2002, marking the beginning of a highly decorated international career.

Mammadyarov is a three-time European Team Champion with the Azerbaijan national team, winning the title in 2009, 2013, and 2017. In 2013, he also became the World Rapid Chess Champion, one of the most prestigious titles in fast-paced chess.

He achieved remarkable success in youth competitions as well, becoming the World Junior Chess Champion twice, in 2003 and 2005.

This made him the only player in history to win the World Junior Championship more than once. In addition, he won the World Under-18 Championship in 2003.

Throughout his career, Shahriyar Mammadyarov has competed at the highest level of world chess, including appearances in the Candidates Tournaments in 2014 and 2018.

His achievements have placed him among the elite figures in modern chess history.

Antonelli wins Monaco Grand Prix

Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli was crowned in the Louis Vuitton Grand Prix de Monaco 2026 on Sunday in a dramatic race that included penalties, crashes and track damage, AzerNEWS reports.

Track surface problems claimed both Lance Stroll and Charles Leclerc, sending them into the barriers. Two safety car periods followed before officials red-flagged the race to repair the circuit, halting proceedings for 45 minutes ahead of a standing restart with eight laps remaining.

However, Antonelli held his nerve and crossed the finish 6.2 seconds clear of Lewis Hamilton to seal the win. Having led every lap and clocked the fastest lap time, the young Italian completed the first grand slam of his Formula 1 career.

Houthis announce complete ban on Israeli shipping in Red Sea

Yemen’s Houthi movement announced that it had launched missile strikes against targets in the Tel Aviv area and declared a complete ban on Israeli shipping in the Red Sea, AzerNEWS reports.

According to a statement issued by the group’s armed forces, Yemeni forces fired missiles at what they described as “important targets” belonging to the Israeli enemy in the area of occupied Jaffa, referring to Tel Aviv. The statement claimed that the missiles successfully hit their intended targets.

The Houthis also declared a “full and absolute ban” on maritime navigation by Israeli vessels in the Red Sea.

“We declare a complete and total ban on Israeli maritime navigation in the Red Sea,” the group said.

It is worth noting that the Red Sea is one of the most frequently used maritime routes in the world for transporting oil and fuel.

Traffic in the Red Sea, particularly the northern half has increased since the outbreak of the war with Iran as Saudi crude oil exports have diverted to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, and container traffic to and from the region to the Port of Jeddah avoiding the Strait of Hormuz.

Azerbaijani athletes claim over two hundred medals in single month

The Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov has met with athletes who successfully represented Azerbaijan in international competitions throughout the month of May, AzerNEWS reports.

A video highlighting the achievements secured on international arenas over the past month was screened during the meeting held at the Baku Youth Centre.

Farid Gayibov noted that Azerbaijan’s national anthem was played in 15 different countries during May.

He highlighted that Azerbaijani athletes claimed a total of 231 medals, which included 70 gold, 58 silver, and 103 bronze medals.

Following the minister’s address, representatives from various sports disciplines shared updates regarding the tournaments they competed in and the results they achieved.

The Azerbaijani athletes have consistently shown great skill, strong discipline, and determination in international tournaments.

Much of this success stems from the close collaboration between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan (NOC).

The NOC plays a direct role in preparing national athletes for the global stage, ensuring they have access to the high-level training, resources, and international experience needed to compete at the highest levels.

Since 1992, the Azerbaijan National Olympic Committee has worked purposefully and consistently for the dynamic development of sports in the country.

Thanks to President Ilham Aliyev, who has headed the committee since 1997, Azerbaijan has witnessed a rapid development of the Olympic movement.

Much attention is being shown in Azerbaijan to holding international sports competitions.

Major sports events, including the first European Games (2015), Islamic Solidarity Games (2017), and the European Youth Olympic Festival (2019), were organized in Azerbaijan.

China’s foreign exchange reserves reach record high in May

China’s foreign exchange reserves increased in May 2026, AzerNEWS reports, citing China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE).

The country’s foreign exchange reserves rose by $31.7 billion in May compared to the previous month, reaching a total of $3.442 trillion at the end of the month.

The figure represents a 0.93% increase compared to April.

In its statement, State Administration of Foreign Exchange noted that the US dollar index strengthened in May, while global financial asset prices also increased.

The authority said the growth in reserves was driven by a combination of swap operations and changes in asset valuations across international markets.