AGP Executive Report

Mining & Gender Empowerment: Zimbabwe’s ZASWMA says it is boosting women’s participation in mining through regional networking, including attendance at the Women in Mining Botswana Organisation (WiMBO) Pitso conference in Gaborone under the theme “Unearthing Excellence: Women Transforming the Mining Value Chain.” Botswana Mining Procurement: Sandvik has won a roughly US$70m order for a 45-unit underground mining equipment fleet for MMG’s Khoemacau copper mine, with deliveries from August 2026 to April 2030, including Toro trucks, loaders, drill rigs and AutoMine-enabled monitoring. Food Security & Agriculture Infrastructure: Botswana has expanded Pandamatenga grain silos by 60,000 tonnes to lift total storage to 90,000 tonnes, aiming to cut post-harvest losses and strengthen national reserves. Trade & Jobs Pressure: The Bank of Botswana warns labour market conditions likely worsened after diamond-driven economic weakness, wiping out early 2024 employment gains. Regional Trade Disruption: Botswana may have lost export earnings after production interruptions at the Botswana Vaccine Institute affected South Africa’s Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine supply, forcing procurement from Argentina. Energy & Logistics Risk: US forces disabled a Botswana-flagged tanker (M/T Lexie) near Iran’s Kharg Island as tensions in the Strait of Hormuz escalated, while Kuwait reported a deadly drone strike on its airport.

Critical Minerals & Investment Pitch: Botswana’s Foreign Minister Phenyo Butale told The Korea Herald that the country can supply critical minerals for batteries and renewables, while urging Korean firms to invest in local manufacturing and value addition via the BETP project pipeline. Mining Project Update: Giyani Metals reported positive Definitive Feasibility Study results for its K.Hill battery-grade manganese project in Botswana, citing strong post-tax economics and next steps including FEED and further test work. Food Security Boost: Botswana strengthened food security with a major expansion of the Pandamatenga grain silos, adding 60,000 tonnes of storage capacity to reach 90,000 tonnes total. Diamond Development Governance: Botswana and De Beers appointed Dr Akinwumi Adesina as Chairperson of the Diamonds for Development Fund, aimed at driving diversification and long-term development. Regional Trade Disruption Risk: Botswana’s BVI vaccine production interruptions reportedly affected South Africa’s Foot and Mouth Disease vaccination supply, forcing alternative procurement and raising costs. Macroeconomic Pressure: The Bank of Botswana warned that labour market conditions likely deteriorated further after diamond-driven weakness, following two years of contraction. Geopolitics & Shipping Shock: US action against a Botswana-flagged tanker (M/T Lexie) and renewed US-Iran strikes in the Gulf, including attacks near Kuwait, underline ongoing risks to regional logistics and energy flows.

Diamonds for Development: Botswana and De Beers have appointed former AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina as Chair of the Diamonds for Development Fund, aimed at economic diversification, with him set to assume office on June 15. Labour Market Pressure: The Bank of Botswana warns that after early-2024 job gains, employment conditions likely deteriorated further as the diamond downturn deepened and spilled into the wider private sector. Livestock Trade Hit: Production interruptions at the Botswana Vaccine Institute forced South Africa to source Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine supplies from Argentina, disrupting vaccination and costing export earnings. Regional Fisheries Governance: SADC renewed the board of the Regional Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Centre, keeping Stanley Ndara’s leadership and prioritising vessel registers and reduced donor dependence. Maritime Security Shock: US action against a Botswana-flagged tanker (M/T Lexie) in the Strait of Hormuz, amid US-Iran escalation, underlines rising risks for shipping routes tied to Botswana-linked vessels.

Maritime Security & Oil Logistics: The US disabled the Botswana-flagged crude tanker M/T Lexie near Iran’s Kharg Island with a Hellfire missile after the crew ignored warnings for 24 hours, as Washington continues its blockade enforcement; the move comes amid wider Gulf missile activity involving Kuwait and Bahrain and renewed pressure on shipping routes. SADC Fisheries Governance: SADC reappointed Namibia’s Stanley Ndara to chair the Regional Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Centre board, with priorities including a regional register of fishing vessels and reducing donor reliance. Botswana Business Outlook: The Bank of Botswana’s Business Expectations Survey shows firms remain broadly pessimistic for the first half of 2026, citing weak government spending, exchange-rate pressure and higher input costs. Household Cost Pressure: Gaborone meat prices have jumped sharply, with inflation at 10.3% in April and Foot and Mouth Disease restrictions tightening supply and lifting food costs. Industrial & Energy Transition: Botswana is pushing an electric mobility and metallurgy hub in Selebi-Phikwe, aiming to move from raw mineral extraction into beneficiation and manufacturing. Telecom & Digital Market: Huawei launched the HUAWEI nova 15 Max in Gaborone, partnering with Cell City for nationwide retail distribution. Finance Sector Reshuffle: Letshego proposed selling five subsidiaries in Ghana, Tanzania, Nigeria, Rwanda and Uganda to Axian, while stressing Namibia operations will continue as usual. Diamond Industry Strategy: Botswana’s diamond stakeholders are urging a shift toward AI-enabled traceability, digital trading and stronger storytelling as lab-grown competition reshapes demand.

Botswana business confidence: The Bank of Botswana’s latest Business Expectations Survey shows firms turning more pessimistic for the first half of 2026, citing weak government spending, exchange-rate pressure and higher input costs, with only a fragile recovery expected later in the year. Cost of living squeeze: Households are recalculating daily spending as inflation bites, with Botswana Meat Commission price lists showing premium beef rising sharply and Foot and Mouth Disease restrictions tightening supply. State enterprise stress: Botswana Development Corporation is seeking a turnaround after posting a P167 million loss (FY to June 2025) and reporting a heavy non-performing loan burden, with MPs hearing about a structural cash-flow gap. Banking reshuffle: Letshego is exiting five African markets via a proposed sale of subsidiaries to Axian, while stressing “business as usual” for Namibia. Mining and investment signals: Leviathan Metals has started a diamond drilling programme at its Central Project in Botswana’s Kalahari Copper Belt, targeting sediment-hosted copper mineralisation. Regional security and justice: The Court of Appeal has cleared the way for the controversial sale of Mupane Mine assets, while Botswana’s justice minister is still deciding on extradition of six Mexican fugitives. Tech in the market: Huawei has launched the nova 15 Max in Gaborone, aiming to deepen its handset push through local retail distribution.

Fuel Procurement Scrutiny: Namibia ordered fuel companies to source bulk petrol and diesel exclusively from Vitol for July–September 2026, raising transparency and conflict-of-interest questions after earlier Botswana Oil quality concerns. Regional Livestock Health: Namibia’s LPO vice-chair Dawie Kok urged Southern Africa to fight foot-and-mouth disease together, warning no country can stay safe in isolation as South Africa rolls out a voluntary FMD vaccination scheme that could reshape cross-border livestock trade. Botswana Trade & Cross-Border Ease: Botswana’s Moeti Mohwasa opened the BBNTF in Francistown, pushing stronger SADC ties to streamline logistics and cut non-tariff barriers for local firms. Civic Regulation Shock: Botswana deregistered more than 5,700 societies in a sweeping Registrar of Societies crackdown, affecting churches, clubs, business and farmers’ associations. Mining & Jobs Debate: A Namibia mining jobs update (166,000+ jobs in 2025) sparked a wider question on whether government or the private sector should be the main job creator. Diamonds for Development: Diamonds Do Good held a gala on the eve of JCK Las Vegas, highlighting Botswana’s community impact grants and a farmer greenhouse initiative. Power Infrastructure Trend: A regional shift toward independent transmission providers is gaining momentum as Southern Africa loosens state monopoly control to ease grid bottlenecks.

Botswana Diamond Value-Add: Botswana and De Beers have appointed former AfDB president Dr Akinwumi Adesina to chair the Diamonds for Development Fund, aimed at using diamond wealth to drive diversification, beneficiation and jobs, with him set to assume office on June 15. Civic Space Under Pressure: Botswana has deregistered more than 5,700 societies in a sweeping Registrar of Societies crackdown published in the Government Gazette, cutting across churches, clubs, business associations and civil society groups. Regional Trade & Logistics: Botswana says it will keep pushing stronger SADC ties as it opens the 30th Business Botswana Northern Trade Fair in Francistown, focusing on easing cross-border doing-business and removing non-tariff barriers. Mining & Critical Minerals: Giyani Metals’ Botswana manganese project DFS flags a leaner but more expensive K. Hill build, with capex rising to $535m as the EV-battery supply push faces higher 2026 costs. Water Security: Botswana is among countries facing extremely high water stress, with a reminder that water continuity and infrastructure are central to food security and industry. Health & Access: A Botswana case study highlights medication shortages and the cost burden on patients, underscoring pressure on universal healthcare delivery.

Botswana Diamonds & Diversification: Botswana and De Beers have appointed former AfDB president Dr Akinwumi Adesina as chair of the Diamonds for Development Fund, aimed at using diamond wealth to drive long-term economic transformation, innovation and beneficiation, with him set to take office on June 15. Civic Regulation Shock: Botswana’s government has deregistered more than 5,700 societies across sectors including churches, business associations, clubs and community groups in a sweeping Registrar of Societies crackdown under the Societies Act. Mining & Critical Minerals: Giyani Metals released results from a Botswana-focused definitive feasibility study for its K. Hill manganese project, flagging a much higher $535m capex in a tougher 2026 cost environment while targeting battery-grade manganese for EV supply chains. Regional Trade & Logistics: Botswana says it will keep pushing stronger SADC ties to improve cross-border ease of doing business, streamline logistics and cut non-tariff barriers, highlighted at the Business Botswana Northern Trade Fair in Francistown. Livestock Health Cooperation: The Livestock Producers’ Organisation calls for stronger Southern African cooperation to fight Foot and Mouth Disease, arguing no country can stay safe without regional biosecurity coordination.

Diamond diversification push: Botswana and De Beers have appointed former AfDB president Dr Akinwumi Adesina as chair of the Diamonds for Development Fund, aimed at using diamond wealth to drive diversification, innovation, beneficiation and jobs (Adesina to assume office June 15). Regional trade & logistics: Botswana says it will keep deepening SADC ties to improve cross-border ease of doing business, streamline logistics and cut non-tariff barriers, as it opens the 30th Business Botswana Northern Trade Fair in Francistown. Mining & critical minerals: Giyani Metals’ Botswana manganese project DFS flags a leaner but more expensive K. Hill build, with capex rising to $535m amid inflation pressures for battery-grade supply chains. Energy finance: Standard Bank reaffirmed “all forms of energy” financing across Africa, backing fossil fuels, renewables, LNG and transmission as geopolitical shocks reshape demand. Civic crackdown with business impact: Botswana deregistered 5,796 societies in a sweeping Registrar of Societies exercise, affecting churches, clubs, business and professional associations. Car care entrepreneurship: South Africa’s Michanic is scaling a mobile, transparent car repair model after founder frustration with delayed, opaque workshop repairs.

Diamond-linked healthcare strain: A Botswana case study shows how medicine shortages and delayed access are hitting households hard after the diamond downturn, with patients forced to buy drugs themselves and caregivers stretching pensions to cover treatment. Diamond sector pressure: Petra Diamonds warned of a structurally weak natural diamond market, cutting jobs and restructuring a major South African mine as prices fall and lab-grown competition bites. Mining investment update: Giyani Metals’ Botswana K. Hill manganese project DFS flags higher costs (capex up to $535m) but still points to strong returns, including post-tax NPV of $481.5m at 8%. New diamond diversification push: Botswana and De Beers appointed former AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina to chair the Diamonds for Development Fund, aimed at beneficiation and long-term diversification. Uranium exploration signal: Eastport Critical Metals reported first assay results from Botswana uranium drilling, with uranium intersected in multiple holes. Finance & tech dialogue: BTC convened a Finance and Banking sector session on how connectivity and digital tools are reshaping secure, inclusive financial services in Botswana. FMD fallout for trade: Botswana’s beef sector continues to face disruption from the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak, threatening EU market access and livelihoods.

Diamonds for Development Fund: Botswana and De Beers have appointed former AfDB president Dr Akinwumi Adesina as chairperson of the Diamonds for Development Fund, aimed at using diamond wealth to drive diversification, innovation, beneficiation and jobs, with him set to assume office on June 15. Mining & critical minerals: Giyani Metals reported positive definitive feasibility study results for its 100%-owned K.Hill battery-grade manganese project in Botswana, citing strong post-tax economics and a planned 220,000 t/y processing operation. Uranium exploration: Eastport Critical Metals released first assay results from early reverse-circulation drilling at its Foley Uranium Project in Botswana, reporting uranium intersections in multiple holes. Finance & connectivity: Botswana’s BTC held a Finance and Banking Sector engagement on how technology and connectivity are reshaping secure, inclusive financial services. Water cooperation: South Africa and Botswana are set to sign a pact to protect water quality and manage invasive aquatic species in the Upper Limpopo River Basin. Agribusiness pressure: Botswana’s beef sector remains under strain as Foot and Mouth Disease spreads, threatening market access and recovery plans.

Diamonds for Development Fund: Botswana and De Beers have appointed former AfDB president Dr Akinwumi Adesina as chairperson of the Diamonds for Development Fund, aimed at using diamond wealth to drive diversification, innovation, beneficiation and jobs, with him set to formally assume office on June 15. Mining & critical minerals: Giyani Metals reported positive definitive feasibility study results for its 100%-owned K.Hill battery-grade manganese project in Botswana, projecting a post-tax NPV (8%) of $481.5m and post-tax IRR of 20.3%, with 25-year production of high-purity manganese products. Uranium exploration: Eastport Critical Metals released first assay results from Botswana uranium drilling at the Foley project, with uranium intersected in 6 of the first 10 RC holes over a 1.4km strike length. Digital economy & finance: Botswana’s BTC held a Finance and Banking Sector engagement on how connectivity and technology are reshaping secure, inclusive financial services. Water cooperation: South Africa and Botswana are set to sign a pact to protect water quality and curb invasive aquatic species in the Upper Limpopo River Basin. Agriculture & disease risk: Botswana’s beef sector continues to face fallout from the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, with movement controls and market access pressures looming. Local business & culture: Gaborone’s fruit-picking trend is drawing families and social media attention, while Botswana Craft hosts Shanti Lo’s 25-year anniversary celebration and Tsodilo Music launches Sample Botswana to digitise indigenous audio for creators.

Diamond Sector Governance: The World Federation of Diamond Bourses concluded its International Summit in Gaborone, admitting Botswana and Angola as nation-affiliated members and pushing “responsible luxury” themes like beneficiation, sustainability and transparency. Mining Pipeline Signals: Giyani Metals reported positive definitive feasibility study results for its K.Hill battery-grade manganese project in Botswana, citing strong post-tax returns and planned production of high-purity manganese products for EV and storage markets. Uranium Exploration Update: Eastport Critical Metals received first assay results from Phase 1 reverse circulation drilling at its Foley Uranium Project in Botswana, with uranium intersected in multiple holes along a defined strike length. Livestock Trade Shock: Botswana’s beef sector is reeling from a Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak, with EU export suspensions and market access risks putting ranchers and the wider value chain under pressure. Water & Environment Cooperation: South Africa and Botswana are set to sign an agreement to protect water quality and curb aquatic invasive species in the Upper Limpopo River Basin, strengthening joint monitoring and pollution-risk management. AI & Data Sovereignty Debate: A new push argues Africa must invest in sovereign AI infrastructure so public-service data and the value created by AI stay on the continent.

Manganese Investment Boost: Giyani Metals says its definitive feasibility study for Botswana’s K.Hill battery-grade manganese project points to strong returns, including post-tax NPV of $481.5m (8% discount) and post-tax IRR of 20.3%, with 220,000 t/y processing and 25-year mine life. Mining Governance: South Africa’s Minerals Council says the mining cadastre must be rolled out “effectively, rapidly and transparently,” highlighting how Botswana’s own cadastre portal is already driving more exploration activity. Diamond Sector Moves: Botswana and Angola have joined the World Federation of Diamond Bourses, with the summit in Gaborone focusing on responsible luxury, sustainability, transparency and long-term competitiveness. FMD Shock to Beef Exports: Botswana’s beef sector faces major losses as Foot and Mouth Disease spreads after an April 2026 detection, threatening FMD-free market access and triggering movement controls. Water Security Pact: South Africa and Botswana are set to sign an agreement to protect water quality and curb invasive aquatic species in the Upper Limpopo River Basin. Digital Skills Push: Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Microsoft launched a solar-powered Mobile Digital Lab in South Africa to train learners for digital and AI careers. Sports Integrity Concern: Botswana’s athletics community is facing renewed scrutiny after multiple doping violations and suspensions involving national athletes.

Diamond Governance: Botswana and Angola have been admitted as nation-affiliated members of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses after a summit in Gaborone focused on responsible luxury, beneficiation, sustainability, transparency and boosting consumer confidence. Copper Exploration: Botswana Minerals says AI-assisted analysis has flagged 36 copper anomalies across two northern licences, with field work planned within three months and potential drilling next. Energy & Inflation: Botswana’s central bank raised interest rates as fuel and transport shocks from Middle East oil disruptions push inflation higher across the region, with governments scrambling to cushion costs. Livestock & Food Security: Foot-and-mouth disease disruptions are hitting Botswana’s dairy expansion, with Milk Valley Phase I paused after an outbreak led to a temporary halt on importing 1,000 heifers from Brazil. Agribusiness: Botswana is also moving to cut poultry import dependence through a revamped financing push aimed at scaling local production and jobs. Anti-Corruption: Former DCEC boss Rose Seretse received a Commonwealth anti-corruption honour for helping establish the Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Centre in Botswana.

Botswana inflation watch: Statistics Botswana says annual inflation jumped to 10.3% in April 2026 (from 4.2% in March), with transport costs the biggest driver. Power sector pressure: BPC warned Parliament that electricity tariffs don’t cover the cost of generation, transmission and distribution, especially as Botswana increasingly buys imported power at commercial rates—risking deeper losses or load rationing. Diamond value-chain push: At the World Federation of Diamond Bourses summit in Gaborone, Minister Bogolo Kenewendo said Botswana is expanding beyond rough production into trade, value addition and provenance-led growth, including admission into the WFDB framework. Copper exploration boost: Botswana Minerals reports AI-assisted identification of 36 copper anomalies across two northern licences, with field exploration planned soon. Livestock and food security: FMD continues to disrupt dairy plans—Milk Valley’s heifer imports from Brazil were paused after an outbreak—while in South Africa, vaccination drives are ramping up across districts. Agribusiness policy: Botswana moves to cut poultry imports with a revamped financing push aimed at scaling local production. Governance and integrity: Former DCEC boss Rose Seretse received a Commonwealth anti-corruption honour for helping operationalise the Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Centre in Botswana.