Mmegi

Middle East unrest weighs on deficit, inflation

Under pressure: Finance Minister, Ndaba Gaolathe PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE
Under pressure: Finance Minister, Ndaba Gaolathe PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

The impact of ongoing conflict in the Middle East is likely to push average inflation to double digits, whilst widening the budget deficit and delaying a return to fiscal stability, researchers at Standard Chartered have said.

In a recent research report, Emmanuel Kwapong, Economist Africa at Standard Chartered, said the Middle East conflict was likely to worsen the country’s existing macroeconomic challenges, which largely emanate from the prolonged weakness in diamonds.

“We now expect a more subdued recovery in the diamond sector, Botswana’s key growth driver, as the conflict weighs on global growth and discretionary spending in key diamond end-markets," he said.

Editor's Comment
Rising abortion figures demand urgent action

Instead, they should serve as a warning to health authorities, community leaders, and policymakers that something is not right. According to the Palapye District Development Committee’s latest report, 130 abortion cases were recorded between April and June 2026.On the face of it, the overall figure may represent a decline from the preceding quarter. However, going deeper into the figures, the monthly trend tells a different and more worrying...

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