Banks set for record profits
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 | 880 Views |
Capital central: The Bank of Botswana oversees all commercial banks in the country PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Previously, the highest after-tax profits the banks enjoyed was in 2018 at P2.02 billion.
Bank of Botswana (BoB) figures released recently indicate that in the first 11 months of last year, the country’s commercial banks raised their net interest incomes to P4.6 billion, nearly 15% above the corresponding period in 2021.
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...