Has Gaolathe stopped the spending haemorrhage? :: Mmegi Online

Expectations on Monday were that Botswana’s fiscal planners would not just apply the brakes but rather pull the handbrake on the speed of government spending. But it is clear they actually only took their feet off the accelerator of spending, writes TIMOTHY LEWANIKA

Anyone who listened to Minister of Finance Ndaba Gaolathe’s statement in Parliament last year, on the state of the public coffers would have bet with their lives that the 2025–2026 budget would be a lean affair compared to the historic P102 billion spending splash by former minister Peggy Serame for the 2024–2025 financial year. Instead, Gaolathe plans to spend P97 billion in the upcoming financial year, P4 billion more than what the Finance Ministry expects will spent when the 2024–2025 financial year ends on March 31.

In other words, the P102 billion budget approved last February was not spent and instead, the latest estimates is that by March 31, the actual spending will have reached P93.4 billion. Gaolathe is proposing to spend P97 billion by comparison.

Already have an active account? Log in here.

Or Sign up and get unlimited access to premium articles.

ECONOMY

Has Gaolathe stopped the spending haemorrhage?

Expectations on Monday were that Botswana’s fiscal planners would not just apply the brakes but rather pull the handbrake on the speed of government spending. But it is clear they actually only took their feet off the accelerator of spending, writes TIMOTHY LEWANIKA

Explore

More

Examining the role of Botswana’s proposed media Ombudsman

Bosa Bosele offers free counselling to the public

UDC crisis rocks Gaborone Council

Former subordinate takes stand against Moagi

Court halts LSB bar exams

Botho University gives gov’t value for money –Maele

Elevate Africa launches Threads of Africa Fashion Film prize 2026

Men’s netball team excluded as women report for camp

Our digital safety is in our hands