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Trump tariffs: IMF, World Bank lower Botswana growth forecast

Friday, April 25, 2025 | 750 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%.

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