Trump tariffs: IMF, World Bank lower Botswana growth forecast

Friday, April 25, 2025 | 790 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.

Selefu

joey kambai | 5 h ago

'Cooler box' murder accused cries foul over legal representation

Larona Makhaiza | 8 h ago

Clash of Champions: PSG and Aston Villa Set for Historic Super Cup Showdown

correspondent | 10 h ago

La Liga Returns: New Season, New Challenges

correspondent | 10 h ago

Fire in the sky, misery on the ground

Mbongeni Mguni | 07 Aug 2026

Botswana’s new employment law: Reform on paper must become reform in practice

Seabe Ratsoma | 07 Aug 2026

Absa, Yellow Light Taxi Association deal expands cashless payments

Laone Choeunyane | 10 h ago

BoFiNet completes P43m local access fibre project

Staff Writer | 10 h ago

Violence doesn't solve anything!

Our weekly edition carries painful articles of people being murdered. Whilst some are classified as Gender Based Violence (GBV), there are still a large percentage of murder cases, which often happen at drinking spots, after people are heavily intoxicated. We have in the past carried articles where an individual was murdered because they refused to give someone a cigarette, and sadly this is where we are at now!In this very edition, there is an...

The Monitor Editor | 11 August 2026

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.