Africa Botswana The country, largely diamond-dependent, needs economic restructuring said President Duma Boko, with the development of new industries, the dismantling of the state-owned electricity company in favour of private investment, and an increase in soft loans
Africa Botswana The country has 2nd highest cost of living in Africa after Ethiopia, according to Business Insider Africa considering affordability of essential goods and services like housing, transportation, food, health care and education in the cost of living index
Africa Botswana The government extended the derogation for the export of live cattle, primarily to South Africa, until 30 April, as the Botswana Meat Commission, the only institution statutorily authorised to export meat products, continued to face operational problems
Africa Botswana A total of 98 children were born on 1 January 2025, more than doubling last year's 46 children; the figure is seen as a good omen after President Duma Boko recently announced new programmes to encourage citizens to generate more children
Africa Botswana 400 elephant hunting licenses have been issued on top of permits for other species amid fresh opposition from conservationists; international hunters pay up to $50.000 to obtain a license in order to hunt an elephant
Africa Botswana Only 28 women stood for Parliament out of 258 contestants, or 10,85%, and only three women won their seats, 4,92% of the 61 seats; on the other hand, women represent 54% of those eligible to vote
Africa Botswana The national table tennis team for the 2024 AUSC Region 5 Games, to be held in Namibia next year, has been unveiled; athletes emerged from national selection tournament organised by the Botswana Table Tennis Association
Africa Botswana Intending to diversify its economy, currently dependent on diamonds, Botswana plans to enter the medical cannabis and solar energy markets, announced President Duma Boko during his first address to the nation
Africa Botswana Duma Boko, president since 1 November, and his government plan to legalize undocumented Zimbabwean migrants with temporary residence and work permits; Botswana hosts the second-biggest Zimbabwean diaspora in the world and many are farm or domestic workers
Africa Botswana Supporters of the Union for Democratic Change gathered outside the polling stations to celebrate victory; on 30 october, in the biggest upset in Botswana's electoral history, have ended 58 years of single-party governance following independence in 1966
Africa Botswana Air Botswana has announced a new partnership with local dairy company Dream Flavours, as part of its strategic support for the #PushaBW initiative promoting local brands and will thus start to offer local yoghurt products on its flights
Africa Botswana The first batch of locally assembled electric vehicles was presented in capital Gaborone with the support of two Chinese vehicle manufacturers
Africa Botswana The University of Agriculture and Natural Resources Botswana and a Chinese farm will start commercial trials of water-saving and drought-tolerant rice during the 2024/2025 summer season in Botswana