Mmegi

Softer spending eases 2025-26 deficit by 36%

Tightrope act: Gaolathe and his lieutenants have kickstarted the 2027-2028 budget cycle
Tightrope act: Gaolathe and his lieutenants have kickstarted the 2027-2028 budget cycle

Preliminary figures from the Bank of Botswana indicate that the final budget deficit for the 2025–2026 financial year came in at P16.3 billion, down from the forecast shortfall of P25.5 billion, largely due to a slowdown in spending.

According to the latest estimates, revenues in 2025–2026 amounted to P70 billion against spending of P86.3 billion. By comparison, the last projections from the Finance ministry, as made in the February budget speech, pointed to revenues of P71.2 billion and expenditure of P96.7 billion.

The BoB’s preliminary numbers suggest that revenues came in P1.2 billion lower than forecast, whilst spending was P10.4 billion lower than approved and allocated. The central bank’s figures indicate that tax revenues, including mineral royalties and dividends, in the 2025–2026 financial year reached P68.2 billion, above the forecast of P61.1 billion made in February.

Editor's Comment
Exercise extra caution!

Unfortunately, petty thieves tend to be more vicious around this time as they also prepare for the festive season. Culturally, many Batswana go home for the holiday, and petty thieves are amongst those who go home. Burglaries, car break-ins, and attacks on unsuspecting pedestrians seem to be on the rise!That is not all, as scammers continue to take money from pensioners as well as other Batswana who may fall prey to their unscrupulous tactics....

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up