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.

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