Banking access, credit appetite balloon - World Bank

The number of deposit and loan account holders in Botswana spiralled in 2009, with World Bank statistics pointing to the resilience of the country's nine commercial and three statutory banks in a year plagued by the recession.

According to the World Bank's Financial Access 2010 report released on Thursday, in 2009, nearly half of Botswana's adult population holds deposit accounts, while nearly a third have loans with various financial institutions.

Bank of Botswana statistics indicate that commercial banks held a total of P37.6 billion in deposits and P19.7 billion in outstanding loans by various sectors, notably households by December 2009.

Editor's Comment
Micro-procurement maze demands urgent reform

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...

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