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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
Gov't must guard against cadre deployment

As the Botswana National Front (BNF) discusses a policy to place suitably qualified members in strategic positions, the guiding consideration should remain whether an individual is the best person to serve the country. There is nothing wrong with qualified party members applying for public positions. Political affiliation should neither disqualify a capable candidate nor give them an advantage over others. Every Motswana deserves a fair...

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