The newsroom’s assessment of the UDC gov’t in 2025

Ryder Gabathuse | Monday January 12, 2026 06:00

Mmegi’s Arts&Culture Coordinator, Goitsemodimo Kaelo, finds it difficult to gauge how the UDC has performed in the past year, “specifically because of the economic situation the country finds itself in.” Despite the challenging circumstances, Kaelo suggests that there are things that the UDC government has achieved.

Signing the De Beers deal

De Beers and the Botswana government signed a major, long-awaited diamond deal in February 2025, formalising a new 10-year sales agreement (extendable by five years) and extending Debswana’s mining licenses until 2054, securing future operations and aiming to boost citizen participation and economic diversification through initiatives like the Diamonds for Development Fund.

“Under the original terms, the two sides agreed to establish a multi-billion-pula Diamonds for Development Fund, with an upfront investment by De Beers of P1 billion,” he says. Further contributions over the next 10 years of the deal would be made that could total up to P10 billion, officials said at the time.

Old Age PensionAlthough the government had promised an increase from P830 to P1,800, the Old Age pensioners instead received P1,400 as their monthly allowance.

Absorption of Special Constables into the Botswana Police Service

As the Botswana Police Service (BPS) has dissolved the Special Constable programme, 845 former special constables have now been fully absorbed into the service. In a significant policy shift, President Duma Boko announced the complete discontinuation of the special constable programme, which was introduced in 2004 to bolster police manpower and enhance visibility. He explained that the government had gradually absorbed eligible special constables into full-time positions over the years.

Reduction of electricity tariffIn July 2025, the government implemented a 30% reduction for low-domestic users but increased rates for others in July 2025 to support utility finances. This was part of a dual strategy that also included an average 24% increase for all other customer categories. However, it is important to note that the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) has since submitted a new application to the Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA) for a significant average 46% tariff increase across all categories, which, if approved, would take effect from April 2026. BERA is currently reviewing this new proposal and has invited public comments.

Political reporter Tsaone Basimanebotlhe says as the UDC-led government enters its second year in office, there are notable achievements it has already delivered, initiatives that are still work in progress, as well as manifesto promises that remain unfulfilled.

AchievementsTo begin with, the government promised Batswana a 30 percent reduction in water and electricity tariffs to make the services affordable for every household. This commitment has indeed been fulfilled, bringing much-needed relief to many citizens.

In addition, the UDC pledged to construct over 100,000 houses within five years. While this target has not yet been fully achieved, progress is underway through the Bonno Housing initiative. This programme assists Batswana who already own plots but are unable to build due to financial constraints. Beneficiaries are allowed to repay the government at affordable rates. Notably, several houses have already been completed and handed over, and the programme is expected to run for the full five-year period as outlined in the manifesto.

Furthermore, the government promised to reduce the old-age pension eligibility from 65 to 60 years and to increase the monthly pension from P830 to P1,800. Although the full amount of P1,800 has not yet been implemented, pensioners are currently receiving P1,400 per month. Importantly, the issue of lowering the eligibility age has been tabled and remains under consideration.

Another key pledge was the launch of a comprehensive and integrated national community service with a monthly allowance of P2,500. In line with this, late last year, the Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, announced during kgotla meetings across the country that the Ipelegeng programme, along with Village and Ward Development Committees, is being reformed.

These reforms include training through Vocational Training Centres as mandates evolve. Consequently, Ipelegeng workers are expected to receive a P2,500 allowance in the current financial year, while sitting allowances for Village and Ward Development Committees will also be increased.

Moreover, on the provision of free working Internet in all government institutions and centres, there is no doubt that progress has been made. Although the previous government initiated the process, the current administration has continued and expanded it. As a result, many Batswana are already benefiting from free Internet access.

Regarding the distribution of free sanitary pads to female learners in primary and secondary schools, the government has not yet fully achieved this goal. However, efforts are ongoing, particularly in rural areas, through initiatives led by the Office of the First Lady, Kaone Boko.

Another promise currently under debate is the dismantling of what has been termed “constitutional dictatorship” through the drafting of a new Constitution and the improvement of access to affordable justice. This matter remains before Parliament, with the UDC proposing that the process should begin after the establishment of a Constitutional Court.

Challenges and

outstanding commitmentsDespite these efforts, several manifesto commitments remain unmet, and it is hoped that the UDC will make progress this year if the country’s economic conditions improve as anticipated.

Among these is the promise to increase the living allowance for tertiary students to P2,500. Currently, the allowance for students in vocational training institutions has increased from P300 to P1,900, while other tertiary students have yet to reach the promised amount.

Additionally, other critical commitments include building an economy capable of sustaining average salaries of P10,000 or more, launching a fund to accelerate a green economy programme driven by new state-owned enterprises in partnership with the private sector, introducing comprehensive health insurance for all citizens and permanent residents, and attracting at least P100 billion annually in domestic and foreign investment.

Business and Features writer Thabo Lewanika opines that when the UDC government assumed office after winning the polls, it inherited a fiscus under acute stress marked by collapsing diamond revenues, a widening budget deficit, weakened foreign reserves, and eroded fiscal buffers built over decades.

Expenditure commitments made by the previous regime had outpaced sustainable revenues, while the economy faced contractionary pressures and heightened vulnerability to inflation and debt accumulation. The risk at hand was not merely slow growth, but a structural fiscal imbalance that, if left unaddressed, could have tipped Botswana toward a loss of macroeconomic credibility and long-term fiscal instability.

Measured against that backdrop, the UDC’s performance to date reflects a deliberate and largely disciplined stabilisation effort. The government has moved decisively to restrain recurrent spending through expenditure rationalisation, tighter controls on ministerial budgets, and the postponement of non-essential outlays. The government has, however, failed to cushion citizens against the cost of living, with food inflation growing quarter on quarter. Inflation has eroded incomes and purchasing abilities for many households, while safety net cushions have been removed to attend to more pressing macroeconomic pressures. The government has also been slow in reforming parastatals and ensuring compliance with governance standards, something which will cost the government billions in subventions and bailouts.

Independent contributor Kabo Ramasia says the UDC government performed fairly well in their maiden year in government, with great room for improvement.

For first-timers, the party initiated a review of social programmes with the view of making them more feasible, like the Ipelegeng, which has since been revamped to Ikageng and will be rolled out in 2026. There was an increase in the Old Age Pension by 68% from P800 to P1400, even though that didn’t meet the electoral pledge of P1800. The increase in TVET allowance from P300 to P1900, a 30% reduction in water tariffs, and a water amnesty (50% water debt reduction). We saw the UDC-led government on a drive to revive diplomatic relations with other nations and the drive for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). However, more needs to be done on the economic front as the status quo of a struggling economy still prevails. Thus, the UDC must hit the ground running to deliver on the job creation promise, P4000 minimum wage, allowance for tertiary students and generally a diversified economy with a high growth rate to attain Vision 2036 targets.

Over and above, Botswana still faces other challenges like growing instances of corruption, unemployment, poverty, income inequalities, and Gender- Based violence (GBV), which will be a real test of character for the UDC government in its quest for social transformation.

News Editor, Spira Tlhankane says the UDC government implemented major social support measures aimed at easing citizens’ financial burdens. Old-Age Pensions were increased substantially from P830 to P1,400 per month, an uplift in support to elderly citizens. A 50% amnesty on outstanding household water bills was introduced, directly reducing living costs for many families.

These measures reflected some follow-through on pledges to cushion the most vulnerable while stimulating domestic demand.

The government also launched a forensic audit of ministries, state-owned enterprises and regulatory agencies to boost transparency and accountability. In late 2025, President Boko outlined strategic initiatives where foundational steps toward a Constitutional Court were announced as part of a broader judicial reform agenda.

There were also plans for a Sovereign Wealth Fund was unveiled to help manage Botswana’s resources and attract investment. These moves show longer-term structural thinking, though they remain early in development.

Where the UDC fell short in 2025

Botswana’s economy faced a significant downturn in 2024, carrying over pressures into 2025, including diamond sector contraction and fiscal strain. The UDC inherited these macroeconomic problems, but critics argue that unemployment, especially youth unemployment, remained high and sizable job creation targets (as promised) did not materialise within the first year. Moreover, some welfare commitments, such as raising tertiary allowances to P2500 per month and full implementation of community service stipends, were not delivered in 2025.

These gaps have drawn public criticism over promise vs. delivery. Opposition figures and commentators publicly labelled some manifesto targets as “recklessly ambitious” in light of Botswana’s fiscal constraints.

The government’s failure to clearly articulate how it will meet 2024 pledges, especially the broad economic growth and living wage targets, has weakened public confidence in some quarters. As Boko pushes for direct tendering, there were debates over direct appointment procedures in government procurement, with some observers warning this could undermine transparency.

Where the UDC should

improve in 2026 and beyondBotswana’s over-reliance on diamonds exposes it to global market volatility. The UDC must accelerate economic diversification in sectors such as agriculture and tourism.

The government should push private sector engagement to convert ambitious job figures into employment. To widen public trust, the government should deliver delayed social support promises like student allowances and a P4000 living wage. UDC campaigned on integrity and accountability, so to reinforce this, they must finish and publicise the forensic audit findings with clear corrective actions. With Boko keen on direct tendering, the government should ensure competitive and transparent procurement practices across government.