Absa predicts bleak 2024 for Botswana’s economy
Monday, January 29, 2024 | 790 Views |
Ridle Markus
Absa Southern African economist, Ridle Marcus, last week revealed that inside forecast point to a tough year for Botswana’s economy with the main pressures coming from inflation facing commodities and a steep diamond price crunch.
“The World Bank this year revised forecasts for economic growth from three percent to 2.4 percent for this year and this forecast cut signalled lack of confidence in Botswana’s ability to withstand forecasted pressures especially in the commodities market and diamond price uncertainties,” he told the bank’s economic forum on Thursday.
Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...