Botswana

The Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU), and the Government of Botswana co-hosted a High-Level Harmonisation Meeting from 24 to 26 July 2026 in Gaborone, Botswana, to promote peace initiatives in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The meeting involved the AU Panel of Facilitators and the Independent Joint Secretariat.

Botswana discovered a 2,492-carat rough diamond at the Karowe mine in August 2024, making it the second-largest diamond ever mined, surpassed only by the 1905 Cullinan diamond in South Africa. The Canadian firm Lucara Diamond Corp. operated the mine where the diamond was recovered.

Anglo American selected the Global Diamond Consortium, led by Gareth Penny, as its preferred bidder for an 85% stake in De Beers. Botswana, which holds the remaining 15% stake and pre-emptive rights, is evaluating its participation options, with potential involvement from Angola and Namibia. De Beers announced a two-year production halt at its Venetia mine amid declining rough diamond demand due to lab-grown competition.

Botswana's 60 years of independence have demonstrated that liberal institutions can succeed in poor societies, refuting the idea that such countries require authoritarianism for development. The article challenges the false assumption that economic hardship necessitates the absence of democratic governance.

Mazottie FC qualified for the National DTCB Women's Football Championships semifinals after a dominant performance in the southern block playoffs. The semifinals will take place in Gaborone on July 25-26.

Botswana's Department of Veterinary Services has reported a surge in beef measles cases in cattle arriving at the Chobe District abattoir for slaughter, raising concerns.

Botswana's Compensation Act does not cover crop damage caused by rats, according to Senior Wildlife Warden Ms Tshola Zibochwa. Farmers have raised concerns about large-scale crop destruction by rodents, but government compensation is not available for this issue.

Botswana's Busang Kebinatshipi broke the Diamond League 400m record in Paris with a time of 43.54 seconds. South Africa's Zakithi Nene finished second in the event.

The proposed Lesotho-South Africa-Botswana (LESABO) water transfer project aims to enhance Botswana's water security, support industrial development, and promote regional integration, as stated by President Advocate Duma Boko.

Renewable energy projects in Africa are stalled due to a financial rule linking project creditworthiness to the sovereign rating of the host country. Only Botswana and Mauritius have investment-grade ratings, limiting funding for clean energy initiatives despite Africa's need for energy autonomy and access.

Africa's clean energy projects face financing barriers due to the 'sovereign ceiling' rule, which ties project credit ratings to a country's sovereign rating. Only Botswana and Mauritius have investment-grade ratings, making renewable projects in other African nations appear riskier despite strong fundamentals. Experts highlight higher financing costs and stalled initiatives like Kenya's Menengai Geothermal and Nigeria's Solar IPP pipeline.

Botswana and Lesotho have upgraded their cooperation framework to a Bi-National Commission (BNC), replacing the Joint Commission on Technical and Economic Cooperation (JCTEC). The agreement establishing the BNC was signed in Maseru in July 2025.

Botswana's 13th parliament has been urged to deepen democracy, restore public trust in institutions, and drive economic transformation amid national challenges. The Speaker emphasized the historic responsibility of the legislative body in addressing these issues.

Rising costs due to inflation are pressuring informal traders in Francistown, Botswana, as they struggle to maintain their businesses.

Botswana’s diamond-driven economy is under mounting strain as global demand weakens and production falls, impacting miners living on the edge of survival.

Britain's national debt has increased more rapidly than all other countries except Botswana over the past 25 years. The comparison highlights Botswana as the sole exception to this trend.

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has been appointed Chairman of Botswana's Diamonds for Development Fund, a joint initiative by the Botswana government and De Beers Group to promote economic diversification and sustainable development.

The U.S. continues discussions with countries to resettle over 1,000 Afghans who aided America’s war effort, as Marco Rubio defended the Trump administration’s approval of refugee admissions for white South Africans. Critics argue sending Afghans to conflict zones like Congo would be dangerous, while negotiations with Botswana and Malaysia are underway.

A U.S. fighter jet fired a Hellfire missile to disable the Botswana-flagged oil tanker M/T Lexie, which was en route to Iran’s Kharg Island and did not comply with U.S.-naval blockade directives. U.S. Central Command stated the action followed repeated warnings to the vessel.

Bonolo Selelo and Tsholofelo Kumile, a same-sex couple in Botswana, are challenging the legality of same-sex marriage in court despite opposition from church groups. After meeting at a Gaborone Pride event in October 2023, the couple moved in together, became engaged, and attempted to register their marriage in 2024, only to be informed it was illegal.

Angola's minerals minister announced the country will attract mining investment through favorable conditions rather than implementing export restrictions or quotas like other African nations. Angola is also pursuing a minority stake in De Beers that would grant it board representation, while Botswana separately seeks a majority stake in the diamond company.

Festus Mogae, Botswana's former President, has died at the age of 86. He was praised for his good governance and efforts in fighting HIV/AIDS in Botswana. Mogae's leadership had a positive impact on the southern African nation.

U.S. forces boarded the sanctioned oil tanker M/T Tifani in the Indian Ocean, which was previously linked to smuggling Iranian crude oil. The action is part of the Pentagon's broader effort to disrupt Iran's supply chains, as tensions persist ahead of a tenuous ceasefire expiration and Pakistan-led diplomatic efforts.

De Beers faces an approaching deadline for its bid on a diamond mining asset, while Botswana seeks greater control over its resources. The Jwaneng diamond mine in Botswana is central to the ongoing dispute over resource management and ownership rights.

Botswana plans to increase its ownership stake in De Beers, the diamond company that played a key role in helping the country escape poverty. The move represents a significant economic gamble focused on strengthening national control over diamond resources.