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S&P maintains Botswana’s credit rating but dims on economy

Watching trends: Finance Minister, Ndaba Gaolathe, faces a baptism of fire in his first fiscal year, handling a diamond-led recession PIC PHATSIMO KAPENG
Watching trends: Finance Minister, Ndaba Gaolathe, faces a baptism of fire in his first fiscal year, handling a diamond-led recession PIC PHATSIMO KAPENG

The interest rates the country pays for its debt will remain steady for now, but attracting investment may become more difficult after a leading agency maintained its credit ratings assessment of the country but lowered its outlook on the country’s economy.

S&P, one of three main credit ratings agencies whose opinions determine government’s cost of borrowing, maintained the country’s high sovereign credit ratings but revised the outlook from stable to negative.

The decision, announced on Friday evening, is the first time S&P has downgraded Botswana’s outlook since September 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic upended the economy.

Editor's Comment
Warm relations must not come at the expense of fair trade

“I believe that free but fair trade isan absolute imperative”– John E. JamesFor two countries bound by geography, history and deep economic ties, periods of diplomatic strain serve neither side well. President Duma Boko’s efforts to restore momentum to relations with Pretoria deserve recognition, particularly at a time when Southern Africa faces shared challenges ranging from sluggish economic growth and unemployment to energy security...

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