the monitor

Govt fights to avoid debt trap

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 | 0 Views |

BALANCING ACT: The Finance Ministry is juggling citizens’ aspirations and revenue forecasts

The Finance Ministry says it is redoubling its efforts to avoid a debt trap for the country, as revenues remain low, while the amount of borrowings and arrears owed by government to suppliers increases.

Without meaningful restrictions on spending, government faces an elevated risk of a debt trap over the short to medium term, said technocrats writing in the Budget Strategy Paper released last week.

The officials noted that the country’s fiscal trajectory was skirting close to the debt ceiling limits set by government. The government’s fiscal rules limit debt to 40% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), being 20% for domestic debt and 20% for external debt.

Already have an active account? Log in here.

Or Sign up and get unlimited access to premium articles.

ECONOMY

Kon’nichiwa to Rhodes Quality Extra Fruit Jam

Michelle Phetlhe | 18 h ago

Parents roped in as defilement, missing persons cases rise

Pini Bothoko | 18 h ago

Festive 'lala vuka' saved youth's lives – Marathe

Pini Bothoko | 18 h ago

BNF moves to build Kopano house

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | 18 h ago

Ombudsman flags poor roads as Health access barrier

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | 18 h ago

PR shortages fuel hospital complaints

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | 18 h ago

Khama persistently hunts for Magosi’s 'scalp'

Innocent Selatlhwa | 17 h ago

Nnunu Ramogotsi makes a soulful return with Sephonono

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | 19 h ago

Child protection needs more than prevailing laws

The rise in defilement and missing persons cases, particularly over the recent festive period, points not merely to a failure of policing, but to a profound and widespread societal crisis. Whilst the Police chief’s plea is rightly directed at parents, the root of this emergency runs deeper, demanding a collective response from every corner of our community. Marathe’s observations paint a picture of neglect with children left alone for...

The Monitor Editor | 27 January 2026

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

Govt fights to avoid debt trap

The Finance Ministry says it is redoubling its efforts to avoid a debt trap for the country, as revenues remain low, while the amount of borrowings and arrears owed by government to suppliers increases.

Kon’nichiwa to Rhodes Quality Extra Fruit Jam

Parents roped in as defilement, missing persons cases rise

Festive 'lala vuka' saved youth's lives – Marathe

BNF moves to build Kopano house

Ombudsman flags poor roads as Health access barrier

PR shortages fuel hospital complaints

Khama persistently hunts for Magosi’s 'scalp'

Nnunu Ramogotsi makes a soulful return with Sephonono

Child protection needs more than prevailing laws