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Top economic events to watch for in 2026

Capital central: The Bank of Botswana is expected to play a major role mobilising funding for government this year PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Capital central: The Bank of Botswana is expected to play a major role mobilising funding for government this year PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

A second year of contraction, jittery budget figures, the long-awaited De Beers deal, as well as record copper prices, the sale of Stanchart’s key unit and the dreaded increase in electricity prices, are just some of the stories to watch for this year. Staff Writers, MBONGENI MGUNI & TIMOTHY LEWANIKA report

The economy will almost certainly be shown to have experienced a contraction for 2025, when the fourth quarter GDP figures are revealed on March 31. The economy has not incurred successive economic contractions in any two years since Independence, a trend that underlines the deep distress facing the country.

The Finance Ministry expects that the economy contracted by 0.9% in 2025, but other experts caution such as the IMF have forecast a one percent narrowing, all largely driven by the prolonged downturn in diamonds.

Editor's Comment
Declaration of assets, liabilities could possibly curb corruption

It’s troubling, however, that those pursued by this craft busting agency and other security organs, are seemingly individuals who are supposed to be providing exemplary leadership. The alleged culprits are also mainly ex-Cabinet members associated with the previous ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) while others are former senior public officers. This whole development creates an appetite for the enforcement of the Declaration of Assets and...

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