Botswana Economic Push: At the CEO Africa Roundtable in Gaborone, CEO-ART founder Kenias Mafukidze urged a shift to diversified, tech-led growth to double Botswana’s economy to $40B by 2036, backed by a Botswana Investment Desk and three “bankable” projects by 2027. Digital Connectivity: Powertel and Paratus launched the first phase of a cross-border fibre corridor, activating a high-capacity link from Zimbabwe to Botswana, Zambia and South Africa under a 2025 public-private partnership. AI for Productivity: A related CEO-ART discussion framed AI as the practical engine for Botswana’s productivity jump, with calls for deployable AI in local manufacturing and supply chains plus workforce upskilling. Diamond Industry Shockwaves: De Beers plans a two-year pause at South Africa’s Venetia mine to cut costs amid weak rough demand and lab-grown competition—raising concerns for jobs and regional supply, including impacts felt in Botswana. Insurance Deal: Adenia Partners completed its shareholding transaction for Minet Group, aiming to accelerate growth across nine African markets including Botswana. Media Streaming: eMedia launched Openview Stream, a free ad-supported FAST streaming platform rolling out first to Kenya, Ghana, Rwanda, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and Mauritius. Hackathon for Women in Tech: GirlCode opened registration for its 2026 Pan-African Hackathon, with Botswana and South Africa events on 15–16 August and a focus on coding, fintech and AI for young women. Tax Reform Update: Botswana’s BURS Commissioner General reassured taxpayers that new tax reforms are meant to modernize and improve fairness, not raise the overall burden.