AGP Executive Report

Energy & Investment: ReconAfrica plans to raise about N$174m (C$15m) via a bought-deal offering to fund open-hole horizontal sidetracks and production testing in Namibia’s Huttenberg and Elandshoek formations, with closing expected around 10 September. Digital Infrastructure: WIOCC secured a combined $300m from Africa Finance Corporation and Vision Invest to expand open-access fibre, data centres and new subsea cable assets, aiming to close Africa’s connectivity gap as internet use remains far below global levels. Cybersecurity: The Global Cybersecurity Initiative launched in Windhoek to connect businesses and governments across multiple countries, including Botswana, to tackle rising cyber threats tied to digital adoption. Health & Tech for Care: Bomaid delivered biopsy needles and drains to Princess Marina Hospital’s Breast and Endocrine Unit to support earlier diagnosis and reduce patients’ out-of-pocket delays. Wildlife Science: Botswana’s rare slaty egret is being monitored as an ecosystem “early warning” species for the Okavango Delta, with regional cooperation highlighted. Trade & Skills: DHL and Absa expand the GoTrade programme across Africa to help SMEs train and scale cross-border exports, including Botswana participation. Policy Watch: Botswana’s local solar push raises questions about long-term wealth flows when projects are foreign-owned.

Cybersecurity: DS Tech Namibia launched the Global Cybersecurity Initiative in Windhoek, aiming to connect businesses and governments across Namibia, Kenya, Botswana and more to tackle rising cybercrime losses. Digital Infrastructure: WIOCC secured $300m from Africa Finance Corporation and Vision Invest to expand open-access fibre, data centres and subsea cable assets across Africa. Health Tech & Access: Bomaid handed Princess Marina Hospital breast unit consumables (biopsy needles and drains) to push earlier detection and reduce patients’ out-of-pocket delays. Energy & Data: Botswana’s Mmadinare 100MW solar milestone highlights local generation, but also raises questions about where long-term returns flow. Wildlife Science: Botswana’s rare slaty egret is being monitored as an early warning for Okavango ecosystem health. Conservation Policy: Civil society challenges South Africa’s trophy hunting quotas, questioning the reasoning and scientific basis behind exports. Livestock & Biosecurity: Botswana faces foot-and-mouth disease fallout and drought risk, with major export impacts reported. Trade & Skills: DHL and Absa expand the GoTrade programme to help SMEs grow cross-border and into e-commerce. Youth & Safety Online: Village sessions in Botswana flag growing online betting among children via mobile wallets, calling for stronger digital safety action.

Digital Infrastructure: WIOCC secured a combined $300m from Africa Finance Corporation and Vision Invest to expand Africa’s open-access fibre, data centres and subsea assets, as only 35.7% of Africans used the internet in 2025. Wildlife & Conservation: Botswana’s slaty egret is being tracked as a sensitive “health signal” for the Okavango Delta, while pangolin trafficking cases show the country’s role in illegal wildlife flows. Energy & Local Value: A debate is growing over Botswana’s solar push—generation is local, but long-term returns may still flow to foreign owners. Health & Early Detection: Bomaid and Princess Marina Hospital are teaming up to boost breast cancer detection supplies, aiming to reopen the “earlier treatment” window. Data Security: Verity Systems is expanding secure data destruction across Africa, targeting rising compliance needs. Agriculture & Livestock: Botswana’s herd-growth targets are being questioned on whether policy should focus on productivity and farmer income, not just cattle numbers. Cyber & Youth Betting: Parents report online betting via mobile wallets is pulling children out of school, prompting calls for stronger digital safety action.

Digital Infrastructure Investment: WIOCC Group secured a combined US$300m from Africa Finance Corporation and Vision Invest to expand open-access fibre, data centres and subsea assets across Africa, as only 35.7% of Africans used the internet in 2025. Cybersecurity & Data Protection: Verity Systems is expanding secure data erasure and destruction services across Africa, while Hungry Lion reported exposed customer credentials tied to online portals for months. Botswana Mining Tech: Epiroc won a ~US$64m order from MMG for underground equipment for the Khoemacau Copper Mine, including remote-control solutions to boost productivity and safety. Energy & Regional Fuel Logistics: Mozambique and Zimbabwe broke ground on the expanded CPMZ Beira–Harare fuel corridor, adding capacity for about two billion more litres of fuel annually into the region, including Botswana. Wildlife & Conservation: A new focus on human-wildlife coexistence highlights locally led protection, early response and livelihood support as species recover. Policy & Inclusion: SADC artisanal mining leaders called for all-gender inclusivity, and African ministers pledged to scale livestock innovations to close food security gaps. Local Tech & Society: Village sessions in Botswana flagged online betting risks for children using mobile wallets, alongside calls for stronger digital safety.

Digital Infrastructure Investment: WIOCC Group secured a combined US$300m from Africa Finance Corporation and Vision Invest to expand open-access fibre, data centres and subsea assets across Africa, aiming to close the internet access gap (35.7% online in 2025 vs 73.6% global). Botswana Tech & Cybersecurity: Verity Systems is expanding secure data destruction across Africa, while a Hungry Lion breach reportedly exposed customer credentials for months, highlighting ongoing risks for online portals. Science in Botswana: University of Botswana physicists say a quantum-gravity theory (Nexus Paradigm) has been confirmed by the world’s largest telescope with very high statistical confidence. Mining Tech & Jobs: Epiroc won a ~US$64m underground equipment order for MMG’s Khoemacau Copper Mine expansion in Botswana, including remote-control solutions. Energy & Regional Connectivity: CPMZ broke ground on a Beira–Harare fuel corridor expansion, boosting pipeline capacity by 67% to strengthen supplies into markets including Botswana. Community Digital Safety: Village Digital Safety sessions in Botswana flagged online betting risks for children and out-of-school youth, pushing for better oversight and protection. Wildlife & Governance: A project called ALIGN supported local NGOs in Botswana to hold copper miners to account, citing environmental, economic and social harms.

Digital Infrastructure Boost: WIOCC Group secured a combined US$300m investment from Africa Finance Corporation and Vision Invest to expand open-access fibre, data centres and subsea assets across Africa, as only 35.7% of Africans were online in 2025. Botswana Science Spotlight: University of Botswana physicists say a quantum-gravity “Nexus Paradigm” predicted the shapes of supermassive black holes, now backed by the world’s largest telescope. Mining Tech in the Kalahari: Epiroc won a ~US$64m underground equipment order from MMG for the Khoemacau Copper Mine, including remote-control solutions, with deliveries starting Q4 2026. Cybersecurity Warning: Hungry Lion reported exposed customer credentials linked to its online portals for months, after researchers tied a ransomware leak claim to the incident. Wildlife & Conservation: Paul Allen’s Great Elephant Census found savanna elephant numbers fell about 30% (2007–2014), with declines continuing. Local Accountability: ALIGN’s work with Botswana NGOs backed calls to hold copper mining companies to account, citing environmental, economic and social harms. Creative Economy Push: Botswana’s BOMU Awards highlighted government support for artists via a P200m levy fund. Community Tech & Power: Joe’s Electrical marks 37 years, citing electrification of 100 villages and thousands of kilowatts of line work.

AI & Data Sovereignty: A Congolese fellow argues that African borrowing costs hinge on the quality of national data, warning that AI tools built on incomplete or foreign-calibrated datasets can misread risk. Physics Breakthrough in Botswana: University of Botswana physicists say their quantum-gravity “Nexus Paradigm” predicted the sizes of supermassive black holes, now reportedly confirmed by the world’s largest telescope with very high statistical confidence. Digital Infrastructure Funding: WIOCC secured a combined $300m investment from AFC and Vision Invest to expand open-access digital infrastructure across Africa, with Botswana Fibre Networks (BoFiNet) among shareholders. Cybersecurity in Retail: Hungry Lion customer credentials were exposed for months, with researchers linking compromised accounts to online self-service portals and a ransomware leak claim. Mining Tech for Botswana: Epiroc won a ~$64m order from MMG for underground equipment for the Khoemacau Copper Mine, including remote-control solutions, with deliveries starting Q4 2026. Inclusive Mining Policy: Women-led groups in Gaborone called for all-gender inclusivity in SADC artisanal and small-scale mining, pushing for targeted funds, training and technology. Health Regulation Update: BOMRA CEO Seima Dijeng briefed stakeholders on a new medicines law and the rules needed before it fully takes effect. Creative Economy Mapping: UNESCO helped lay groundwork for Botswana’s first comprehensive mapping of the digital environment for cultural and creative industries, citing skills gaps and weak sector data. STEM for Girls: GirlCode Hackathon 2026 launched in South Africa and Botswana, bringing 177 participants into a pan-African pipeline for women building tech solutions.

Quantum Breakthrough: University of Botswana physicists say their Nexus Paradigm quantum-gravity theory has been confirmed by the world’s largest telescope, matching predicted black-hole shapes with 99.9972% statistical confidence. Wildlife & Public Safety: The President links Botswana’s anti-poaching push to national security, while police warn of rising festive-season crime risks and theft hotspots in Wadeville, urging tighter coordination with businesses and security tech. Cybersecurity Alert: INTERPOL flags cyber threats for Botswana, as local experts stress scams often exploit basic vigilance gaps. Mining Tech in Botswana: Epiroc wins a major order for underground equipment to expand MMG’s Khoemacau Copper Mine, including remote-controlled loaders and support services. Inclusive Minerals Policy: Women miners call for all-gender inclusivity in SADC artisanal and small-scale mining, pushing for finance, safety, training and faster formalisation. Digital Creative Economy: UNESCO and Botswana stakeholders begin mapping the digital environment for the country’s cultural and creative industries, tackling skills gaps and weak sector data. AI Caution for Travelers: A Zimbabwe border case shows how AI can mislead travellers on visas, leading to costly reapplications.

Digital Skills for Women: GirlCode Hackathon 2026 kicked off in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Botswana, bringing 177 participants and 25+ mentors into a pan-African pipeline for women building tech solutions. Digital Economy Mapping: UNESCO and Botswana’s Sport and Arts ministry began work on Botswana’s first digital-environment mapping for Cultural and Creative Industries, flagging skills gaps, weak sector data and financing barriers. Health Tech Partnership: Abu Dhabi’s M42 signed a 10-year deal with Botswana’s Ministry of Health covering digital health transformation, national genomics and precision medicine. AI Access for Students: Google expanded its free Google AI Plus offer to 27 African countries including Botswana, giving eligible students Gemini tools and cloud storage. Pharma Regulation Update: BOMRA is consulting stakeholders on Botswana’s new Medicines and Related Substances Act (passed in 2025 but not yet in force), aiming for rules partners can recognise. Climate Risk for Southern Africa: SARCOF-33 warns many countries in the region, including Botswana, face higher chances of below-normal rainfall in Oct–Dec 2026, with above-normal temperatures likely. Power Infrastructure Push: USTDA is inviting decision-makers from Angola, Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia to the US to showcase AI-enabled grid management and power-grid upgrades. Energy Market Integrity: Kwa Nokeng Oil says it found no signs of contaminated diesel after an anonymous WhatsApp allegation and invited unannounced regulator testing.

Climate & Food Security: Southern Africa’s rainy season is tipped to be below expectations, with SARCOF-33 linking the outlook to a strengthening El Niño and a developing Indian Ocean Dipole—raising pressure on farming and water planning across countries including Botswana. Digital Skills for Women: GirlCode Hackathon 2026 kicked off in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Botswana, bringing 177 participants together to build women-led tech solutions, with winners progressing to a Pan-African finals. Pharma Regulation in Botswana: BOMRA is consulting stakeholders on rules to make Botswana’s new Medicines and Related Substances Act operational, aiming for a system partners can trust and recognise. Digital Economy Mapping: UNESCO and Botswana partners are laying groundwork for the country’s first digital environment mapping for Cultural and Creative Industries, tackling gaps in data, skills, financing and market access. AI Access for Students: Google expanded its free Google AI Plus offer to students in 27 African countries including Botswana, with Gemini tools and cloud storage. Health Tech Partnership: Abu Dhabi’s M42 signed a 10-year Botswana health deal covering digital health transformation, national genomics and precision medicine. Power Infrastructure Links: USTDA is seeking partnerships to modernise Southern Africa’s power grid, including an AI-enabled outage prediction and electricity flow optimisation focus, with a Botswana delegation heading to the US. Fuel Quality Dispute: Kwa Nokeng Oil says it found no signs of contaminated diesel after an anonymous allegation circulated, and invites BERA to test samples at any depot. Trade & Industrial Policy: Botswana is pushing infant industry tariff protection to translate into jobs and competitive manufacturing, while also moving to reduce duplication across state institutions. Botswana’s Monetary Sovereignty: Bank of Botswana’s 50th anniversary spotlighted the Pula’s future as Botswana works to broaden a more productive, inclusive economy beyond diamonds.

AI at the border: A Zimbabwean traveller’s visa plan went wrong after an AI chatbot confidently claimed a KAZA visa was valid—highlighting how hallucinated travel info can turn into real-world delays. Digital health in Botswana: Abu Dhabi’s M42 signed a 10-year deal with Botswana’s Ministry of Health covering digital health transformation, national genomics, precision medicine and local capability building. Student AI access: Google expanded its free Google AI Plus offer to students across 27 African countries, including Botswana, with Gemini tools and extra cloud storage. Climate risk for Southern Africa: SARCOF-33 warns of below-normal rainfall across parts of the region, including Botswana, with above-normal temperatures—pushing the need for water conservation and climate-smart farming. Botswana agriculture push: Botswana targets lifting agriculture’s GDP share from 2% to 6%, with horticulture projects and output rising in Kweneng and import pressure used to grow local supply. Trade delivery focus: Botswana’s Trade Ministry says state institutions must stop duplicating services and work as one delivery system. Tourism tech & policy: Botswana’s TAFISA World Congress bid is framed as a skills, tech and Sport-for-All legacy play, with local procurement and measurable value in focus.

AI & Culture: The Gaborone Book Festival is pushing back on the idea that AI can replace the value of in-person debate and creativity, arguing that human gatherings still matter. Public Safety & Accountability: A Lake Kariba ferry capsizing has reignited questions for Botswana and the region about whether institutions learn from repeated transport tragedies or just move on. Climate Risk for Food Systems: SARCOF-33 warns Southern Africa, including Botswana, may face below-normal rainfall in key parts of the 2026/27 season, with hotter conditions adding pressure on farming and water. Health Tech in Botswana: Abu Dhabi’s M42 signed a 10-year deal with Botswana’s Ministry of Health covering digital health transformation, national genomics and precision medicine. Education & Reading Gains: Botswana readers will be watching as ARAL program results elsewhere show measurable improvements, with evidence-based scaling recommended. Digital Skills Access: Google expands its free student AI offer to 27 African countries including Botswana, adding Gemini tools and cloud storage. Agriculture Innovation: Botswana targets lifting agriculture’s GDP share from 2% to 6%, citing a surge in horticulture projects and output. Policy Delivery: Botswana’s Trade Ministry says state institutions must stop duplicating work and operate as one delivery system. Fuel Quality Dispute: Kwa Nokeng Oil says it found no proof of contaminated diesel allegations and invites unannounced regulator testing. Property Data Update: Palapye landowners are urged to review and correct the draft valuation roll online before it’s finalised. Tourism & Skills Legacy: Botswana prepares to host the first TAFISA World Congress, aiming for lasting Sport for All and local economic spillovers.

AI Education Access: Google expands its free Google AI Plus student offer to 27 African countries, including Botswana, giving eligible students Gemini tools plus 400GB cloud storage. Health Tech Partnership: Abu Dhabi’s M42 signs a 10-year deal with Botswana’s Ministry of Health covering digital health transformation, national genomics and precision medicine. Power Infrastructure Push: USTDA lines up a delegation from Angola, Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia to the US to explore grid modernization partnerships and AI-enabled outage prediction. Agriculture & Food Security: Southern Africa climate outlooks warn of drier-than-normal rains across much of the region, including Botswana, raising pressure on crops and water planning. Livestock Disease Controls: Zimbabwe tightens cattle movement rules in FMD-affected Matabeleland areas, with regional spillover risks also flagged for Botswana and neighbours. Local Industry Strategy: Botswana moves to implement “infant industry” tariff protection, aiming for capacity-building that turns into jobs and competitive manufacturing. Digital Economy & Skills: Botswana’s STEM push gets a boost as BIUST and BITC join forces, while Dumela Creative Stock relaunches to help African creators monetize digital content.

AI Education Access: Google expands its free one-year Google AI Plus student offer from six African countries to 27, adding Botswana and others, with Gemini tools plus 400GB storage after SheerID verification. Health Tech Partnership: Abu Dhabi’s M42 signs a 10-year deal with Botswana’s Ministry of Health for digital health transformation, a national genomics programme, precision medicine and local capability building. Power Infrastructure Push: USTDA lines up a Southern Africa delegation (including Botswana) to the US to modernize power grids, featuring AI-based outage prediction and real-time electricity flow optimization. Fuel Quality Accountability: Kwa Nokeng Oil disputes a WhatsApp diesel contamination claim, says internal checks found no off-spec product, and invites BERA to conduct unannounced depot testing at its cost. Climate Risk for Farmers: SARCOF warns Botswana and parts of the region face higher chances of below-normal rains from Oct 2026 to Mar 2027, alongside above-normal temperatures. Agriculture & Food Security: Botswana targets lifting agriculture’s GDP share from 2% to 6%, citing a surge in horticulture projects, while SADC faces a potential El Niño-driven grain shortfall. Tourism Skills & Policy: HATAB outlines its advocacy push to reduce regulatory barriers and improve tourist visa approvals, aiming to strengthen Botswana’s tourism growth.

Education & Literacy: DepEd Philippines is expanding its ARAL reading recovery after an independent impact evaluation with reported drops in struggling readers and gains in grade-level proficiency. Industrial Policy: Botswana is rolling out “Infant Industry Protection” via temporary tariff protection, pushing local firms to translate protection into jobs, investment and competitiveness. Banking Outlook: First National Bank Botswana expects profit before tax to rise by P200m–P235m for FY ended June 2026, with full results due in September. Monetary Sovereignty: As Botswana marks 50 years of the Pula and Thebe, Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe links currency confidence to building a broader, more productive economy amid diamond-market pressure. Trade Governance: The Trade Ministry wants state institutions to stop duplicating services, starting with tighter coordination among MTE state-owned entities. Mobile Money & Digital Economy: A report highlights how mobile money is fueling Africa’s online gaming boom, driven by transaction patterns that fit wallets. Agriculture Tech & Growth: Botswana targets lifting agriculture’s GDP share to 6% as horticulture projects surge, with calls for irrigation, digital tech and innovation. Health Tech & Genomics: Abu Dhabi’s M42 signs a 10-year partnership with Botswana’s health ministry for digital health transformation and a national genomics push. Tourism Digitisation: Ukraine’s Map Cam Project trains Batswana to digitise tourism and heritage sites for better visibility on platforms like Google Maps. Wildlife Science & Conservation Media: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 releases a sneak peek from a record 65,000 entries, ahead of the London exhibition. Heat & Human Limits: A new piece warns that rising temperatures are pushing the human body toward physiological thresholds, with Botswana already seeing harsher heat patterns.

Botswana Agriculture Push: Botswana aims to lift agriculture’s GDP share from 2% to 6%, with horticulture projects in Kweneng District rising from 253 to 430 in a year and domestic output growing as import restrictions bite. Regional Food Security: SADC could face a sharper El Niño shock in 2026/27, with Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia already buying South African grain as buffers run thin. Digital Health & Genomics: Abu Dhabi’s M42 signed a 10-year deal with Botswana’s health ministry for a national genomics program, digitised health records, and stronger medicine supply chains via Mubadala Bio. Tourism Tech Mapping: Ukraine’s embassy in Botswana launched the Map Cam Project to train Batswana to digitise heritage and attractions, uploading images to platforms like Google Maps to boost discoverability. STEM & Learning Tech: AWS and NBA Africa partnered with Learn Fresh to expand NBA Math Hoops, a basketball-based math and social-emotional learning programme that previously trained educators in Botswana. Wildlife & Conservation Media: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 released a Botswana-linked preview shot (a young leopard outsmarted by a squirrel), ahead of the London exhibition opening Oct 16. Governance & Jobs Pressure: President Duma Boko admitted his 100,000 jobs-a-year pledge has been delayed by fiscal constraints, despite plans for mega projects to drive employment.