AGP Executive Report

B-BBEE showdown: Icasa is backing its stance on broad-based BEE rules in the ICT sector, rejecting a ministerial push to rewrite the framework—warning the proposal is invalid and “devoid of common sense,” with Botswana–South Africa acceleration: the two countries also moved to fast-track high-impact priority projects and tighten cooperation after their Bi-National Commission in Gaborone, including urgent cross-border Foot-and-Mouth Disease controls like vaccination, surveillance and border-fence maintenance. Regional trade pressure: A fresh debate is resurfacing around Botswana’s agricultural import bans inside SACU, with critics saying repeated non-tariff barriers look like protectionism when there’s no disease threat. Energy and logistics signals: South Africa’s Eskom is back to exporting electricity as load-shedding eases, while Iran’s Strait of Hormuz rules and tanker enforcement continue to ripple through shipping routes that can touch African-linked vessels. Local development: Zimbabwe’s KAZA TFCA programme is funding ranger housing with a €2m boost, a reminder that conservation and livelihoods can move together.

Botswana–South Africa push on livestock disease: South Africa’s Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen is urging urgent rollout of the 2026–2028 FMD action plan agreed in Gaborone, with faster vaccination, tighter livestock movement controls, better border fence maintenance and stronger surveillance—because “no country can defeat this disease in isolation.” Regional integration drive: Presidents Duma Boko and Cyril Ramaphosa also backed faster implementation of “high-impact priority projects” to boost trade and connectivity, including corridor work, water transfers, joint fuel storage and SACU-linked industrialisation. Water security cooperation: A new agreement targets joint management of water quality and invasive aquatic species in the Upper Limpopo River Basin. Mining and investment signals: Botswana-linked mineral tech is in focus as AI-assisted exploration reports copper targets and Critical Mineral Resources flags progress toward a future resource estimate. Energy backdrop: South Africa’s eased load-shedding is helping it export more electricity regionally, shaping demand for cross-border power. Local life and livelihoods: Hwange’s community garden model shows how partnerships can turn water access into food security and income.

FMD crackdown and border biosecurity: South Africa’s Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen backed urgent roll-out of a 2026–2028 South Africa–Botswana action plan to stop Foot-and-Mouth Disease, calling for coordinated vaccination drives, tighter livestock movement controls and properly maintained border fences. Bi-National Commission momentum: At the 6th Botswana–South Africa Bi-National Commission in Gaborone, Presidents Duma Boko and Cyril Ramaphosa pushed to fast-track “high-impact priority projects” tied to trade, infrastructure and integration, including north-south corridor work and joint water and fuel initiatives. Water protection deal: A new agreement targets joint management of water quality and invasive aquatic species in the Upper Limpopo River Basin. Conservation funding: Zimbabwe received a €2m KfW-backed boost for KAZA ranger housing under the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area. Diamonds with history: The World Diamond Heritage Board opened nominations for 100 natural diamonds shaping human history, with Botswana among the origin countries. Botswana business angle: Botswana Minerals says AI work found 36 copper anomalies across two northern licences, setting up near-term fieldwork to rank drilling targets.

Botswana–South Africa push to tighten borders and stop FMD: At the Sixth Bi-National Commission in Gaborone, leaders backed a 2026–2028 action plan to fast-track joint foot-and-mouth disease controls, including coordinated vaccination drives, stronger livestock movement checks, better border fence maintenance and tighter surveillance—plus a vaccine partnership between South Africa’s Agricultural Research Council and Botswana’s Vaccine Institute. Presidential deal-making for trade: President Cyril Ramaphosa and Botswana President Duma Boko used the visit to call for faster economic integration, simplified border processes and deeper cooperation in agriculture, vaccines, transport logistics and regional industrialisation. Energy trade signal: South Africa’s Eskom reported it exported far more electricity than it imported in 2024 as load-shedding eased, with Mozambique remaining a key partner. Business and skills momentum: CISI launched a Women in Finance initiative after strong interest from across Africa, including Botswana. Local markets watch: Botswana Minerals says AI work flagged 36 copper anomalies across two northern licences, setting up next steps for field targeting. Regulation on the ground: BERA is clamping down on non-compliant fuel stations after confiscating contaminated fuel.

SACU Under Pressure: Botswana’s latest import bans are putting the Southern African Customs Union to the test, with critics warning the frequent non-tariff blocks disrupt regional farmers, raise costs for consumers, and drift toward protectionism. SA-Botswana Push for Faster Trade: In the wake of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Botswana state visit and the Bi-National Commission in Gaborone, both sides pledged to speed up border processes, deepen cooperation on vaccines and agriculture, and boost private-sector deal-making. Animal Health Crisis: Lesotho’s deadly African Horse Sickness outbreak is spreading alarm across Qacha’s Nek, while Botswana authorities also warn communities amid Foot-and-Mouth Disease fears—especially against eating dead cattle. Mining & Investment Signals: Botswana Minerals says AI work flagged 36 copper anomalies across two northern licences, while Leviathan Metals closed a $10m financing aimed at drilling and exploration in Botswana and beyond. Business Moves: Kaleido Logistics strengthens its African corridor footprint by integrating IFS South Africa into its network.

Botswana Copper Hunt: Botswana Minerals says an AI-assisted review of two northern licences has flagged 36 copper anomalies across six exploration corridors, with fieldwork to rank top drilling targets starting soon. Regional Power Trade: Eskom exported 14,532GWh in 2024—about 92% more than it imported—showing southern Africa’s grid still leans on cross-border supply as prices stay elevated. Livestock Disease Push: South Africa and Botswana backed a regional livestock vaccine drive, including a Southern African vaccine bank and a trans-animal disease protocol, with Botswana’s vaccine deliveries already underway. Botswana–SA Diplomacy: President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Botswana state visit is framed as a “historic reunion” alongside the 6th Bi‑National Commission, with a business forum aimed at boosting private-sector ties. Diamond Value Addition: Botswana was admitted as an affiliated member of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses, a move meant to strengthen traceability and its push beyond mining. Agriculture Relief: Isuzu launched a R250,000 farmer solidarity campaign for FMD-hit farmers in South Africa, as vaccination targets come under pressure.

PPC Expansion Push (Zimbabwe): PPC has signed with Sinoma Overseas to assess boosting clinker and cement output and potentially build a new integrated cement plant in Zimbabwe, betting on long-term demand as PPC Zimbabwe’s sales momentum continues. Regional Infrastructure Pressure (Victoria Falls Highway): Zimbabwe’s Treasury limits are slowing rehabilitation of the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Highway, with lawmakers warning road conditions are already disrupting tourism and trade. Digital Growth Angle (Data Centres): A Bowmans seminar says Africa could capture a “generational” data-centre opportunity, but needs power and infrastructure investment to raise capacity from under 1% of global share. Diplomacy & Trade (Ramaphosa in Botswana): President Cyril Ramaphosa is in Botswana for a two-day State Visit and to co-chair the South Africa–Botswana Bi-National Commission, with a business forum aimed at tightening private-sector ties. Market Signals (Choppies): Choppies reported an executive share buy/sell transaction worth BWP1.17 million, in line with exchange rules. Botswana Diamond Strategy: Botswana was admitted as an affiliated member of the WFDB, reinforcing its push to differentiate and deepen diamond value addition amid lab-grown competition.

State Visit & Trade Reset: South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa is in Botswana for a two-day state visit, co-chairing the 6th SA–Botswana Bi-National Commission in Gaborone and pushing a Business Forum to deepen private-sector ties as bilateral trade hit about R82bn in 2025. Corporate Moves: Choppies says CEO Ramachandran Ottapathu bought 780,000 shares at P1.50 each (BWP1.17m) while a senior manager sold the same number at the same price, both on-market. Mining & Capital Markets: Leviathan Metals has closed a $10m share offering to fund drilling and exploration in Botswana and beyond. Energy & Infrastructure: Treasury constraints are slowing strategic Vic Falls Road rehab in the region, while Oman’s O-Green signs a 2.7GW solar-wind-battery PPA—highlighting the wider push for power security. Tech & Investment: Delegates heard Africa’s data centre build-out could grow from under 1% of global capacity to 3–5% by 2030, but only with major power and infrastructure investment.

Consumer squeeze hits foodservice: Famous Brands says its SADC operations are under pressure as discretionary spending weakens in Botswana and Zambia, with SADC revenue down 6% to R423m and operating profit falling to R29m. Energy stress spills into politics: Joburg mayor Dada Morero has pleaded with electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa to help avert a blackout over Eskom’s R5.2bn debt, with a July 8 deadline looming. Renewables momentum in the region: Oman’s O-Green Energy signed a 2.7GW hybrid solar-wind-battery PPA, and the deal also flags O-Green’s Botswana pipeline. Diamond trade positioning: Botswana and Angola have joined the World Federation of Diamond Bourses to strengthen trust and traceability as lab-grown competition intensifies. Conservation and wildlife management: India’s environment minister says Kuno cheetahs straying into Rajasthan was expected, while Botswana’s gas project transparency remains in focus after Oxpeckers pushed to view its EIA.

Renewables Deal: Oman’s O-Green Energy has signed a 2.7GW hybrid wind-solar-plus-battery PPA for round-the-clock power with the country’s single buyer, with the developer also pointing to a Botswana pipeline. Diamond Trade: Botswana and Angola have joined the World Federation of Diamond Bourses, a move aimed at strengthening trust and traceability as lab-grown competition heats up. Ride-hailing Race: Dubai-based Yango says it will invest at least $150m this year to enter 10 more African markets, betting on secondary cities and operator partnerships over heavy subsidies. Inflation Watch: April 2026 data shows inflation pressures remain uneven across Africa, with the highest rates still in fragile economies. Botswana Business Spotlight: Botswana’s BAMB is weighing a major overhaul after losses of P112.4m, while BPC is again asking for urgent tariff adjustments as costs rise faster than its pricing. People & Opportunity: A Botswana student shared a no-agent guide to finding fully funded scholarships in China, and a Botswana creative initiative is expanding support for young artists beyond showcases.

Anglo American Coal Exit: Anglo American is selling its Queensland Bowen Basin coal mines to UK miner Dhilmar for $3.9bn, including $2.3bn upfront and up to $1.58bn more tied to coal prices—part of a push to cut debt and focus on copper and other “transition” commodities. Botswana Power Pressure: Botswana Power Corporation has appealed for urgent tariff adjustments, saying net losses, liquidity strain and rising import costs have left it with a creditor balance of P3.5bn. BAMB Turnaround: The Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board is weighing sweeping reforms and possible PPPs after losses of P112.4m from 2022–2025, with fraud and procurement failures cited. Conservation Clash: US elephant trophy-import permits hit 300-plus in 2025, with nearly two-thirds linked to Botswana—sparking renewed debate as rhino survival hangs by a thin thread. Women in Finance: CISI launched a global initiative offering 100 complimentary memberships to women entering or returning to financial services, with Botswana among the top applicants. Regional Trade Signals: ZHL reported a 28% jump in insurance contract revenue in Q1 2026, driven by its “Great Africa Trek” expansion.

Sovereign Wealth Spotlight: Oman’s Investment Authority just posted record 2025 profits of OMR2.9bn and a 14.6% return, ranking among the top global performers—another reminder that disciplined state investing can move fast when markets cooperate. Health Sovereignty: Ebola and hantavirus alerts are rising as experts warn outbreaks are getting more frequent and more damaging, while donor support keeps shrinking—pushing African governments to fund preparedness themselves. Botswana Energy Pressure: Botswana Power Corporation has pleaded for tariff adjustments, citing net losses, tight liquidity and a P3.5bn creditor balance as import costs jumped sharply. Regional Trade Flows: South Africa and Zambia dominate cross-border cargo through Namibian ports, while Botswana’s share is growing on copper exports. Governance Watch: Air Botswana’s reporting and leadership gaps are still dragging, with overdue audited accounts stuck since 2022. Transparency in Resources: Oxpeckers says Botswana authorities finally allowed viewing of the EIA for the Botala Energy gas project near Serowe.

Botswana Diversification Push: Botswana is racing to cut its dependence on diamonds as global demand softens and lab-grown stones reshape the market, with diamond production down sharply in 2025 and government revenues hit hard—prompting a wider push into new partnerships and investment tools. LGBTQ Rights Shift: Botswana is easing anti-LGBTQ laws as repression grows elsewhere in Africa, following earlier court wins and a formal repeal process that rights groups say signals a real change in direction. Governance Under Pressure: Air Botswana’s financial reporting is still stuck in the past, with overdue audited accounts and long-running board and leadership gaps blamed for oversight failures. Courtroom Fight in Business Rescue: In Tongaat Hulett’s Botswana case, business rescue practitioners have blocked a Vision takeover move through court action, setting up further arguments in June. Regional Watch: Zambia’s Kafue Rift may be actively forming a new tectonic boundary, with researchers pointing to deep gas signals from hot springs.

Botswana Economy & Rates: Botswana’s central bank has become the first in Africa to hike rates after the Iran-linked energy shock, lifting the key rate to 5.5% from 3.5% as inflation is expected to jump and stay elevated. Air Botswana Governance: Air Botswana’s financial reporting is still stuck in 2022, with overdue statutory obligations blamed on a long-running leadership vacuum and a board that has struggled to function. Tongaat Hulett Takeover Fight: In Botswana, Tongaat Hulett’s business rescue practitioners have blocked Vision’s takeover attempt through court action, with further arguments set for June 22. COVID-19 Fund Scrutiny: A new Auditor General report flags misuse of COVID-19 relief money, including spending on parties and retreats. Regional Mobility & Trade: Nigeria has started a 30-day visa-free entry policy for Rwandans, while Botswana’s leaders push Africa-first positioning in France trade talks. Conservation & Jobs: The EU-backed Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park project is officially launched to strengthen biodiversity management and community resilience.

Visa Ease for Regional Mobility: Nigeria has started a 30-day visa-free entry policy for Rwandan citizens, with immigration directives rolled out across airports, land borders and seaports—aimed at cutting red tape and boosting tourism and trade. Botswana in the France Trade Push: President Duma Boko is backing an Africa-first approach in France trade talks, arguing for equal partnerships that prioritise value addition. Courtroom Clash in Sugar: Tongaat Hulett’s Botswana business rescue practitioners have blocked Vision’s takeover attempt via a High Court move, with further arguments set for June 22. Air Botswana Governance Strain: Air Botswana says overdue audited accounts and a long-running board quorum failure have left it scrambling to meet statutory reporting. COVID-19 Fund Misuse Exposed: Botswana’s Auditor General reports P416.3 million spent on activities not related to COVID-19, including parties and retreats. Energy Shock Meets Policy: Botswana’s central bank raised rates to 5.5% from 3.5% after the Iran-linked energy shock lifted inflation pressures.

Air Botswana Governance Crisis: Air Botswana is still stuck in the dark on finances, with audited accounts frozen since 2022 and key posts vacant for months or years, as the airline’s leadership vacuum leaves it scrambling to meet statutory reporting. Tongaat Hulett Takeover Blocked: In Botswana, Tongaat Hulett’s business rescue practitioners have thwarted the Vision Consortium’s attempt to seize assets through court action, with a rescission hearing set for June 22. Botswana Rates Move: Botswana became the first African central bank to hike rates after the Iran-linked energy shock, lifting the key rate to 5.5% from 3.5% as inflation pressures build. Ecological Push: A major rangeland restoration drive is underway to reverse land stress before it hits rural livelihoods harder. Regional Dealmaking: Botswana also sits in the wider cross-border conversation—from UAE trade and logistics ambitions to EU-backed Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park support—while global capital keeps hunting growth.