Budget deficits expose Botswana to credit rating downgrade

Friday, October 13, 2017

Matambo sees expenditure outweighing revenues for the next three years

Analysts fear international ratings agency, Standards and Poor’s (S&P) might this month downgrade Botswana’s sovereign credit ranking due to the country’s widening budget deficits that have potential to deplete government savings in the Pula Fund.

The Budget Strategy Paper for the 2018/19 financial year projects the budget deficit for the current financial year to increase from P2.35 billion announced by Finance Minister, Kenneth Matambo in February to P6.5 billion.

The deficit is seen widening to P8 billion in the next financial year leading to cumulative budget gap of P15 billion by 2020, a development that is contrary to government’s commitment in NDP 11 to reign in budget deficits.

Already have an active account? Log in here.

Or Sign up and get unlimited access to premium articles.

By-elections often arrive quietly, triggered by unfortunate circumstances such as the death of the area councillor PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

Moremaoto votes, parties face reality

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | 2d ago

High Court orders ZCC Botswana to reunite

Laone Choeunyane | 2d ago

Day 3: Search for Maun missing boy continues

Staff Writer | 2d ago

Long 1,900km drive awaits netball teams

Calistus Kolantsho | 2d ago

Ngada to pip seasoned campaigners for AFCON place?

Kabelo Boranabi | 2d ago

Oneal R&B orchestra shares African story

Lucy Kgweetsi | 2d ago

Yarona FM to host Just Kidding Fam Fest

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | 2d ago

Softball Spectacular to quench players’ thirst

Calistus Kolantsho | 2d ago

Depression is real; let's take care of our mental health

It is not uncommon in this part of the world for parents to actually punish their children when they show signs of depression associating it with issues of indiscipline, and as a result, the poor child will be lashed or given some kind of punishment. We have had many suicide cases in the country and sadly some of the cases included children and young adults. We need to start looking into issues of mental health with the seriousness it...

The Monitor Editor | 02 December 2025

About us

Mmegi is the leading independent source of breaking news, latest news, current
affairs, Politics, Business, Sport, debates, analysis, and entertainment news in Botswana.

Explore

More

Budget deficits expose Botswana to credit rating downgrade

Analysts fear international ratings agency, Standards and Poor’s (S&P) might this month downgrade Botswana’s sovereign credit ranking due to the country’s widening budget deficits that have potential to deplete government savings in the Pula Fund.