Mmegi

Behind Botswana’s shrinking GDP

Friday, January 10, 2025 | 1150 Views |

Shot in the arm: While agriculture has a small contribution to GDP, it’s a key contributor for both unskilled labour and rural incomes. The improved rains this cropping season give hope for better yields PIC: BOTSWANA AGRICULTURAL MARKETING BOARD

The economy is set to shrink for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic year of 2020, as confirmed by the latest Gross Domestic Product figures. Mmegi Staffer, TIMOTHY LEWANIKA, speaks to Economics expert, Dr Lovemore Taonezvi, on the trends and likely outcomes going forward

In 2024, households spent more money on goods and services, while government expenditure also rose supported by the largest recurrent and developmental budget in the history of the country. However, the country’s Gross Domestic Product still contracted over the first three quarters.

Weighed down by decreasing exports, the country may be headed for a full-blown recession.

Already have an active account? Log in here.

Or Sign up and get unlimited access to premium articles.

Economy

Human rights are sacred

Mmegi Editor | 1d ago

Bakgatla Ba Kgafela celebrate as Kgosi Kgafela’s charges are dropped

Larona Makhaiza | 1d ago

First Lady's office hosts second annual thanks giving ceremony

Opelo Rakereng | 1d ago

PSLE performance on upward trend

Pini Bothoko | 1d ago

Bona Life tee-off Maruapula Loxion Golf journey

Calistus Kolantsho | 1d ago

Cops arrest young man, seize dagga in Metsimotlhabe

Pini Bothoko | 09 Dec 2025

Second Mogoditshane rape attack in two weeks

Pini Bothoko | 09 Dec 2025

Suspected suicide behind Sir Seretse Khama Barracks

Pini Bothoko | 09 Dec 2025

Human rights are sacred

It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...

Mmegi Editor | 12 December 2025

About us

Mmegi is the leading independent source of breaking news, latest news, current
affairs, Politics, Business, Sport, debates, analysis, and entertainment news in Botswana.

Explore

More

Behind Botswana’s shrinking GDP

The economy is set to shrink for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic year of 2020, as confirmed by the latest Gross Domestic Product figures. Mmegi Staffer, TIMOTHY LEWANIKA, speaks to Economics expert, Dr Lovemore Taonezvi, on the trends and likely outcomes going forward

Human rights are sacred

Bakgatla Ba Kgafela celebrate as Kgosi Kgafela’s charges are dropped

First Lady's office hosts second annual thanks giving ceremony

PSLE performance on upward trend

Bona Life tee-off Maruapula Loxion Golf journey

Cops arrest young man, seize dagga in Metsimotlhabe

Second Mogoditshane rape attack in two weeks

Suspected suicide behind Sir Seretse Khama Barracks

Human rights are sacred