Author

Mbongeni Mguni
Financial Journalist

Twitter: @MboBW

Email: [email protected]
  • Carat courage and the global diamond fightback

    Tenoris, an independent consultancy and the sole provider of detailed jewellery retail data, has been noting some striking trends in the diamond retail market in the past year. Using sales and purchase activity from 2,500 U.S specialty outlets for...

  • Credit growth remains damp

    Credit growth has generally been under pressure in the last two years, as the diamond downturn has weighed on the economy, specifically triggering a liquidity crunch in the banking sector. Bank of Botswana figures indicate that credit growth rose to...

  • Kenewendo sees early success in diamond fightback

    Botswana is amongst the leading partners in the Luanda Accord, a platform formed last year with several other African diamond-producing nations as well as companies and industry bodies, to jointly market natural diamonds.The joint industry-wide...

  • High Court showdown looms over Tongaat Hulett Botswana

    The case follows an attempt in February by Bowwood and Main No 296 Pty Ltd to take control of THB via a successful ex parte application before the High Court. The order was for a general notarial bond over the assets of Tongaat Hulett held in...

  • Swiping values drop

    While the central bank did not give reasons for the decline, analysts expect that the downtrend is linked to the tighter liquidity experienced in the financial sector, amidst the broader contraction in the economy. The lower figures could also be...

  • A P1bn food security hole

    Local millers estimate that the country is giving away at least one billion Pula to South Africa annually in terms of importing maize and wheat that could be produced in the country.Statistics Botswana figures are even more sombre. Imports of...

  • BERA moves to regulate LPG pricing

    The country's annual usage of the gas has soared above 21 kilogrammes, as more rural consumers switch from firewood. However, the sector has been unregulated in terms of pricing and with just five importers responsible for all the products coming...

  • Pragmatic and point-blank economics

    In 1969, then 30-year-old Festus Mogae found himself as one of the very few black faces around a table dominated by Afrikaner governance veterans as a young Botswana and other regional ‘minnows’ negotiated clauses in the Southern African Customs...

  • Tough new mission for diversification dynamo

    Recently, the Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) revealed that its asset book of about P6 billion is yielding about P50 million in predictable cash, or a conversion rate of under one percent.Essentially, the Corporation’s assets are...

  • BOL’s import ‘monopoly’ set to be eased

    BOL has enjoyed the oil import mandate since April 2024, but recent revelations indicate that the oil parastatal has only imported an average of 60% of the country’s fuel supplies. The balance has been brought in by majority citizen-owned oil...

  • Bank arrears spike to P8bn

    The arrears figures steadied to P6.6 billion in February, a level roughly representing the average in 2025. In January, most of the arrears, or 32 percent, were classified as “specific provision” meaning dues that are over 180 days old and...

  • BoB warns as banks test interest rate moratorium

    Since October last year, the BoB has restricted banks from increasing their prime lending rates, the benchmark rate against which other credit products and services are priced within banks.The move came after a sharp upswing in interest rates amongst...

  • Cowpeas worth P15m rot in silo

    The cowpeas were found to be unfit for human or even animal consumption at that time, the Auditor General said.Cowpeas, like other pulses and grains, require regular rotation or turning to protect their quality and prevent spoilage. The rotation...

  • Debswana output kicks up a gear in Q1

    An Anglo American production report for the first quarter shows that De Beers generated $648 million (P8.8 billion) in sales from two auctions, compared to $520 million (P7 billion) over the same period last year. The diamond giant sold 7.7 million...

  • CCA settles with Hollard; case proceeds vs BIC, Old Mutual

    The case is being heard at the Competition and Consumer Tribunal.Yesterday, another participant in the alleged scheme, Hollard Insurance, reached a settlement with the fair-play watchdog, agreeing to pay P4.8 million for its role in the scheme.The...

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