BAIA Calls For Relaxed Alcohol Levy

One of the key industry players, the Botswana Alcohol Industry (BAIA) met with representatives from the Ministry of Health and Wellness for their input. Led by their chairperson, Mothusi Molokomme, they called on the government to reduce the alcohol levy or scrap it altogether.

“The levy had brought more problems than solutions. It does not deter people from drinking alcohol. Instead they spend more money on alcohol or resort to cheaper options and drugs,” Molokomme said. The business community said the levy has also made people to smuggle in spirits from across the border. “This had totally killed business for us.