Mmegi

Trump tariffs: IMF, World Bank lower Botswana growth forecast

Friday, April 25, 2025 | 780 Views |

Plans upended: In February, Gaolathe had highlighted a trade war as a major risk to this year’s growth forecast PIC PHATSIMO KAPENG,

The IMF now expect Botswana’s economy to contract by about 0.4% this year, while the World Bank now projects 0.6% growth. Both reductions are largely due to the threat of Trump tariffs, which now make government’s original hope of 3.3% growth unlikely. MBONGENI MGUNI writes

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is today (Friday) expected to brief on its expectations of how the economies of sub-Saharan Africa will likely perform in 2025. This area of the globe is in a form of economic stasis, after US President, Donald Trump, hit it with some of his highest planned trade tariffs recently, before suspending the move for 90 days.

Botswana faces a 37% tariff knock on its exports to the US, while Lesotho could be hit with 50% and South Africa 30%.

Already have an active account? Log in here.

Or Sign up and get unlimited access to premium articles.

A call to action in Botswana’s HIV response

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane |
05 December 2025

From the basics: Botswana has come a long way since the first efforts against HIV, but some groups feel left behind

The Sanballats and Tobiahs of economic rebuilding

Mbongeni Mguni |
05 December 2025

Under fire: Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem put Nehemiah’s faith to the test PIC: INSPIRED SCRIPTURE.COM

Main Mall’s resilience, sturdiness in the face of stiff competition

Ryder Gabathuse |
28 November 2025

Busy, busy: T/he Main Mall is always a hive of activity

Human rights are sacred

Mmegi Editor | 2d ago

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

Larona Makhaiza | 2d ago

First Lady's office hosts second annual thanks giving ceremony

Opelo Rakereng | 2d ago

PSLE performance on upward trend

Pini Bothoko | 2d ago

Bona Life tee-off Maruapula Loxion Golf journey

Calistus Kolantsho | 2d 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

Trump tariffs: IMF, World Bank lower Botswana growth forecast

The IMF now expect Botswana’s economy to contract by about 0.4% this year, while the World Bank now projects 0.6% growth. Both reductions are largely due to the threat of Trump tariffs, which now make government’s original hope of 3.3% growth unlikely. MBONGENI MGUNI writes

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