Mmegi

Fiscal authorities brace for credit ratings’ decisions

Decision time: The Finance Ministry recently met with the credit ratings agencies PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Decision time: The Finance Ministry recently met with the credit ratings agencies PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Authorities at the Finance ministry are awaiting the results of recent engagements with Moody’s and S&P, whose credit ratings assessments will determine the government’s borrowing costs and, with that, the trajectory of the recovery in public finances.

The two ratings agencies conduct assessments on the country’s sovereign debt in March and September each year. The assessments earlier this year resulted in S&P’s lowering the country’s sovereign credit ratings, whilst Moody's downgraded the country last year. Botswana, however, remains in the investment category, being an outlier in Africa.

BusinessWeek has established that top Finance ministry officials met with S&P researchers at least three weeks ago, while a meeting with Moody’s was scheduled for last week.

Editor's Comment
Gov't must guard against cadre deployment

As the Botswana National Front (BNF) discusses a policy to place suitably qualified members in strategic positions, the guiding consideration should remain whether an individual is the best person to serve the country. There is nothing wrong with qualified party members applying for public positions. Political affiliation should neither disqualify a capable candidate nor give them an advantage over others. Every Motswana deserves a fair...

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