IMF trims forecast for Botswana economy

At the helm: Finance Minister, Peggy Serame, expects the economy to expand by four percent this year PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG
At the helm: Finance Minister, Peggy Serame, expects the economy to expand by four percent this year PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects the local economy to grow by 3.7 percent this year, a lukewarm level which is also below the four percent projection the institution made last October.

The forecast is contained in the latest edition of the IMF’s World Economic Outlook (WEO), which contains updates of the institution’s projections from the October edition.

The IMF’s latest forecast for Botswana in the 2023–2024 fiscal year is slightly above the average of 3.6 percent expected for sub-Saharan Africa and comfortably ahead of both the averages for SADC and the Southern African Customs Union. In the Southern Africa region, the IMF’s forecast for Botswana’s growth in 2023–2024 is the fourth highest after Mozambique, Mauritius, and Zambia. By comparison, South Africa is expected to grow by 0.1 percent, while other neighbours such as Namibia and Zimbabwe will expand by 2.8 percent and 2.5 percent respectively.


Editor's Comment
BDP primaries leave a lot to be desired

The BDP as a party known to have ample resources has always held its primaries well in time, but this time around that was not the case. The first leg of the primaries was held last weekend, with the final leg being billed for the coming weekend. This time around, the BDP failed to shine in its primary elections. The elections were chaotic; most if not all polling stations didn't open at the specified time of 6am. Loyal BDP members braved the...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up