AGP Executive Report

Mining Tech: One Bullion has started a high-resolution airborne geophysical survey over its Vumba Gold Project in Botswana, with results aimed at refining drill targets ahead of a maiden drill campaign; the company also appointed Joe Van Wyk as Vice President, Exploration to lead expanding programs. Energy Governance: Policy experts warn Africa’s “just energy transition” could repeat extractive-era inequalities unless accountability is built into investment treaties and energy deals, with stronger community protections and oversight. Critical Minerals & AI: Aterian and Lithosquare have begun joint exploration programmes in Morocco and Botswana, using hyperspectral satellite imagery, AI target generation, geophysics, geochemistry and drilling to speed up discovery. Space & Science: Botswana signed the Artemis Accords, joining 68 countries, after launching its first satellite BOTSAT-1 in 2025—another step for local space science partnerships. Digital/Telecom Leadership: MTN Eswatini confirmed Jerry Soko as substantive CEO, effective July 1, as the operator pushes its digital transformation agenda. Education & Skills: A new op-ed argues Viksit Bharat’s foundations must be laid in classrooms by fixing learning gaps early, not just boosting enrollment. Creative Tech/Industry: Limkokwing University of Creative Technology in Botswana hosted a student-led fashion show, spotlighting the country’s growing creative sector.

Botswana in Space: Botswana officially signed the Artemis Accords, becoming the 68th signatory and reaffirming its push for peaceful civil space activity after launching BOTSAT-1 in 2025. Critical Minerals Tech: Aterian and Lithosquare have started technology-led exploration in Morocco and Botswana, using hyperspectral satellite imagery, AI target generation, geophysics, geochemistry and drilling to improve drill targeting. Digital & Governance: Botswana’s competitiveness took a hit in the IMD 2026 ranking, dropping seven places, while the country also moves to clamp down on digital services. Regional Finance: SACU leaders agreed to set up a new N$5 billion innovative funding mechanism to back development projects across member states. Health & Tech Partnerships: The US and Tanzania signed a five-year global health MOU to build hospital and lab capacity for infectious disease detection and response, including HIV, malaria, polio and TB. Innovation in Practice: Metrofile launched docuForce, a document management and workflow automation platform aimed at cutting compliance and document-handling costs. Conservation Tech: India’s cheetah programme highlights rapid response teams and smart patrolling, noting recent cheetah translocations from Botswana. Creative Industry: Limkokwing Botswana hosted a student-led fashion show, spotlighting the next wave of local design talent.

Botswana Competitiveness Watch: Botswana slid seven spots in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2026, landing at 66th of 70, with the report pointing to heavy diamond dependence and weaker infrastructure readiness. Regional Economy Lens: In the same IMD 2026 ranking, Nigeria topped Africa on economic performance (55th globally), while Botswana sat at the bottom of the African group—highlighting a widening gap in economic performance. Space & Innovation: Botswana officially signed the Artemis Accords, becoming the 68th signatory, after launching its first satellite BOTSAT-1 in 2025—another step for local space and tech partnerships. Digital Policy: Botswana moved to clamp down on digital services, while also rolling out VAT on remotely supplied electronic and professional services—both aimed at tightening the digital economy rules. Security & Accountability: Botswana plans a public complaints mechanism for the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) to boost accountability without harming operations. Wildlife Enforcement: Botswana reported 35 elephants killed in 2025 with no arrests or prosecutions yet, citing cross-border escape routes from remote conservation areas. Creative Tech & Skills: Limkokwing University of Creative Technology in Botswana staged its inaugural student-led fashion show, pushing the next wave of local design talent.

Botswana Artemis push: Botswana has signed the Artemis Accords, becoming the 68th signatory and underlining its growing space ambitions after launching BOTSAT-1 in 2025. Digital governance & tax tech: Botswana introduced VAT on remotely supplied electronic and professional services, alongside moves to digitise tax administration, while separate reporting says Botswana is clamping down on digital services. Competitiveness warning: Botswana slid seven places in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking to 66th/70, with concerns over fiscal stability, infrastructure readiness and heavy diamond dependence. Regional funding: SACU leaders agreed to set up a regional innovative funding mechanism with an initial N$5 billion capital to back development projects across member states. Health & HIV: The UN adopted a declaration to accelerate efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, focusing on testing, treatment, prevention and funding gaps. Wildlife enforcement gap: Botswana reported 35 elephants killed in 2025 with no arrests or prosecutions yet, citing cross-border challenges in remote conservation areas. Local innovation & skills: Limkokwing’s inaugural final-year student-led fashion show highlighted Botswana’s creative talent pipeline.

Space Policy: Botswana has officially signed the US-led Artemis Accords, pledging peaceful civil space exploration; the signing was witnessed at NASA headquarters in Washington and follows Botswana’s earlier satellite milestone, BOTSAT-1. Regional Tech & Industry Finance: SACU leaders agreed to set up a Regional Innovative Funding Mechanism with an initial N$5 billion capital to back development projects across member states, with work now focused on governance, access rules and project pipelines. Digital Economy & Tax: Botswana introduced VAT on remotely supplied electronic and professional services, with a 14% rate and a reverse-charge approach for local recipients—part of broader moves to digitise tax administration. Governance & Security Tech Oversight: Botswana plans a public complaints mechanism for the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) to boost accountability while protecting operational integrity. Wildlife Enforcement: Botswana reported 35 elephants killed in 2025 but noted no arrests or prosecutions yet, citing cross-border escape routes and enforcement challenges in remote areas. Business & Regulation: Taxi operators warned they may surrender licences and move to e-hailing if new rules are seen as favouring platform businesses. Health Policy: The UN adopted a declaration to accelerate efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, pushing expanded testing, treatment, prevention and sustainable access to medicines.

Artemis Accords: Botswana has officially signed the US-led Artemis Accords, pledging peaceful space exploration and joining 68 signatories; the deal follows Botswana’s earlier satellite milestone with BOTSAT-1. Wildlife Enforcement: Botswana reports 35 elephants killed in 2025, but says arrests and prosecutions are still not recorded, citing cross-border escape routes and remote terrain in Chobe and Okavango. Sports Governance: Minister Jacob Kelebeng appoints Goitseone Gadifele to chair the new Botswana National Sport Commission board, aiming to strengthen governance and attract private support. Digital Economy & Tax: Botswana introduces VAT on remotely supplied electronic and professional services (14%), alongside moves to digitise tax administration and e-invoicing. Business Climate: Botswana drops seven spots in the IMD competitiveness ranking, with concerns around fiscal stability, infrastructure readiness, and diamond dependence. Policy Stability: A broader regional business warning highlights how sudden regulatory changes can hit planning harder than tax rates. Digital Fraud: South Africa’s digital fraud risk is flagged as rising in complexity, with scams on legitimate e-commerce sites a major loss driver. Transport Tech Tension: Botswana taxi operators threaten to surrender permits and shift to e-hailing if new rules favour platform-based services. Conservation Science: A study links new mining sites to distant deforestation across sub-Saharan Africa, using satellite tracking to estimate mine-driven forest loss.

Artemis Accords: Botswana has officially signed the US-led Artemis Accords at NASA headquarters, with the move framed as a step toward safe, transparent civil space exploration and deeper US–Botswana space cooperation, building on the country’s recent BOTSAT-1 cubesat launch. Wildlife Enforcement: Botswana reports 35 elephants killed in 2025, but says arrests and prosecutions are still lacking as suspects often operate in remote Chobe/Okavango areas and cross borders quickly. Intelligence Oversight: Government plans a public complaints mechanism for the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS), aiming to boost accountability while protecting national security operations. Digital Forensics Abuse: A Citizen Lab investigation says Russia used Cellebrite UFED tools to hack an activist’s iPhone even after Cellebrite claimed it had cut ties with Russia/Belarus. Food Security & Livestock: Botswana launches a National Fodder Production Strategy targeting an extra one million tonnes of fodder by 2030 to close the feed deficit and strengthen drought resilience. STEM Outreach: Merck’s Curiosity Cube™ brought hands-on synthetic biology and gene-switching activities to Johannesburg learners, pushing STEM careers. Allergy Care: AFRICALLI marks World Allergy Week 2026, urging African health systems to treat allergy and immunology as essential care.

Space Policy: Botswana officially signed the NASA-hosted Artemis Accords in Washington, joining the growing civil space exploration club and signaling a push for safer, transparent cooperation as the country builds on its recent BOTSAT-1 satellite milestone. Regional Integration: SACU leaders, including Botswana’s President Advocate Duma Boko, wrapped up their 9th summit in South Africa with a focus on strengthening regional value chains and responding to shifting global trade, supply chains, and new technologies. STEM & Youth Skills: Merck’s Curiosity Cube™ returned to Johannesburg, running hands-on synthetic biology activities with school learners to boost STEM interest and career pathways. Agriculture & Resilience: Botswana’s new National Fodder Production Strategy targets adding one million tonnes of fodder annually by 2030 to close the feed deficit and improve drought resilience for livestock and rural livelihoods. Digital Transport Tension: Botswana taxi operators warned they may surrender permits and move to e-hailing if new regulations are seen as favouring platform-based transport. Health Systems: AFRICALLI marked World Allergy Week 2026, urging African health planners to treat allergy and immunology care as essential, not marginal.

Space Policy: Botswana has signed NASA’s Artemis Accords in Washington, joining the growing group committed to safe, transparent civil space exploration—building on its recent BOTSAT-1 satellite launch and signalling deeper US-Botswana space cooperation. Health & Research: AFRICALLI marks World Allergy Week 2026, warning that asthma and other allergic conditions remain under-recognised across Africa and should be treated as essential health care. Agriculture & Resilience: Botswana’s new National Fodder Production Strategy targets adding one million tonnes of fodder annually by 2030 to narrow the feed deficit and strengthen drought resilience for livestock and rural livelihoods. Digital Transport: Botswana Taxi Association threatens to surrender permits and move to e-hailing if new regulations are seen to favour platform-based transport. STEM Outreach: Merck’s Curiosity Cube™ returns to inspire future scientists in Johannesburg with hands-on synthetic biology experiments for school learners. Energy & Environment: A study maps 3,139 African power plants and highlights how expanding electricity access will also raise water use and carbon emissions. Sports Science: Olympic relay silver medallist Bradley Nkoana clocks 9.95s to join South Africa’s sub-10 club, boosting regional sprint depth.

Artemis Space Deal for Botswana: Botswana signed the NASA-led Artemis Accords in Washington, aiming for safe, transparent civil space exploration and a new cooperation working group with the US, building on its BOTSAT-1 cubesat launch. SACU Summit Push: SACU leaders wrapped up their 9th summit in South Africa, with President Ramaphosa stressing that no country can prosper alone as trade, technology and supply chains shift. Botswana Fodder Strategy: Botswana launched a National Fodder Production Strategy targeting an extra one million tonnes of fodder annually by 2030 to close the feed gap and boost drought resilience. Taxi vs E-hailing Rules: Botswana Taxi Association warns it may surrender permits and move to e-hailing if regulations favour digital transport platforms. STEM Outreach in Botswana: Merck’s Curiosity Cube™ brought hands-on synthetic biology activities to South African youth, reinforcing the push for STEM skills. Health Focus—Allergy Week: AFRICALLI marks World Allergy Week, calling for allergy and immunology to be treated as essential healthcare across Africa. Electricity + Water Stress: A study maps 3,139 African power plants and links future power growth to higher water use and carbon emissions. HIV Milestone: Botswana officially ranks among the world’s top 20 countries by number of people living with HIV, underscoring the scale of the epidemic.

Space Policy: Botswana has signed NASA’s Artemis Accords, joining the growing group committed to safe, transparent civil space exploration; the move builds on its recent BOTSAT-1 cubesat launch and signals a push for deeper US–Botswana space cooperation. Youth & Skills: A science hub initiative in northern Botswana aims to boost youth skills, innovation and STEM interest. Agriculture Resilience: Botswana’s new National Fodder Production Strategy targets adding one million tonnes of fodder annually by 2030 to close the feed deficit and strengthen drought resilience for livestock and rural livelihoods. Transport Tech Tension: Botswana taxi operators warn they may surrender operating licences and shift to e-hailing if new regulations are seen as favouring digital platforms over the regulated taxi sector. STEM Outreach: Merck’s Curiosity Cube™ is bringing hands-on synthetic biology experiments to students in Johannesburg, linking classroom curiosity to real STEM careers. Health Systems: AFRICALLI marks World Allergy Week 2026, calling for allergies and immunology to be treated as essential healthcare across Africa. Digital Finance: FMB Capital and Visa have sealed a digital payments deal, while Stonewall Capital highlights improved client fund access across markets including Botswana. Road Infrastructure: Maitengwe road rehabilitation in Bulilima is progressing, improving a key route to the Maitengwe Border Post for cross-border trade.

Botswana in Space: Botswana officially signed NASA’s Artemis Accords in Washington, joining the growing Artemis community and building on its recent BOTSAT-1 cubesat launch—aiming for safer, transparent civil space cooperation. STEM Outreach: Merck’s Curiosity Cube™ brought hands-on synthetic biology experiments to Johannesburg schools, pushing STEM careers through interactive learning. Health Systems: AFRICALLI marked World Allergy Week 2026, urging African governments to treat allergy and immunology as essential healthcare, not a fringe issue. Energy & Water Planning: A new study maps 3,139 African power plants and models how expanding electricity to 2030 could strain water resources and raise carbon emissions. Digital Payments in Botswana: Stonewall Capital says it’s focused on reliable client fund access and smoother withdrawals across markets including Botswana. Road Works: Bulilima’s Maitengwe road rehab is progressing toward the Maitengwe Border Post, supporting cross-border trade. Cybersecurity Watch: Citizen Lab reports Russian authorities used Cellebrite tools to breach an activist’s iPhone despite canceled support, raising abuse concerns.

Space Policy: Botswana has signed NASA’s Artemis Accords, becoming the 68th signatory and the sixth African nation to join, with the move framed as a step toward safe, transparent civil space exploration and possible US–Botswana cooperation. Regional Integration & AI: SADC is urging faster implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market alongside AI and climate-resilient infrastructure to speed up regional connectivity and growth. Energy & Water Stress: A new continental study maps 3,139 African power plants and warns that expanding electricity to meet 2030 access goals will also raise water use and carbon emissions, with fossil fuels still dominating. Health Tech & Access: Penn researchers received a Google grant to use MedGemma AI to improve access to medical imaging in Botswana, aiming to spot lung disease earlier and ease workflow bottlenecks. HIV Burden: Botswana has officially entered the world’s top 20 for the number of people living with HIV, highlighting the scale of the epidemic despite ongoing progress. Digital Payments: FMB Capital Holdings and Visa signed a five-year partnership to expand secure digital payments and cross-border transactions across Southern Africa, including Botswana. Governance & Deportations: South Africa’s Parliament calls for tighter coordination between correctional services and home affairs to identify foreign inmates and speed up lawful deportation, citing overcrowding pressures.

Space Policy: Botswana has officially signed the US-led Artemis Accords at NASA Headquarters, with plans for safer, transparent civil space cooperation after its first satellite launch (BOTSAT-1) last year. Sovereign Credit Watch: Government is engaging UNDP and credit rating experts to reduce downgrade risk after Moody’s and S&P lowered Botswana’s ratings, with the next review window flagged for Q3. Public Health Data: Botswana has entered the world’s top 20 HIV worst-hit countries by absolute number of people living with HIV, underscoring the scale of the epidemic despite progress. Digital Payments: FMB Capital Holdings and Visa signed a five-year partnership to expand secure digital payments across Southern Africa, aiming to boost financial inclusion and cross-border transactions. Health Tech: A Penn team won a $110,000 Google grant to use MedGemma AI to improve access to medical imaging in Botswana. Energy & Water: A study mapping 3,139 African power plants warns that expanding electricity will strain water resources and raise emissions, depending on generation type.

Artemis Accords (Botswana): Botswana will sign the US-led Artemis Accords at NASA Headquarters in Washington on June 25, with Minister David Tshere attending alongside NASA and US State Department officials—an upgrade for Botswana’s civil space diplomacy and lunar cooperation. Digital Payments (Botswana/region): FMB Capital Holdings and Visa signed a five-year partnership to expand Visa-powered digital payments across Southern Africa, including Botswana, aiming at safer transactions, better payment infrastructure, and smoother cross-border payments. Health Tech (Botswana link): Penn researchers received a $110,000 Google grant to use MedGemma AI to improve access to medical imaging in Botswana, targeting earlier lung disease detection and better clinical workflows. Mining & Labs (Botswana): Falcon Metal Resources Botswana says lab tests confirm high-grade gold near Francistown in the Tati Greenstone Belt, with further verification underway in South Africa. Energy & Environment (Africa): A study mapping 3,139 power plants across Africa estimates how expanding electricity generation could raise water use and carbon emissions through 2030. Sports Integrity (Botswana): A Mexican sprinter received a three-year ban after a positive Oxandrolone test at the 2026 World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, leading to disqualification impacts for her relay team. Animal Conservation (Africa): The IUCN Red List classifies leopards as Vulnerable, citing illegal poaching as a key driver.

Artemis Accords: Botswana will sign the US-led Artemis Accords at NASA Headquarters in Washington on June 25, with Minister David Tshere and NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson in attendance—another step for the country’s growing space ambitions. Digital Payments: FMB Capital Holdings and Visa have signed a five-year partnership to scale Visa-powered digital payments across Southern Africa, aiming to expand infrastructure and cross-border transactions. Telecom Branding: Botswana’s BTC launched its new consumer campaign, “Own Your Mark,” partnering with athlete Collen Kebinatshipi to push next-gen, affordable connectivity. Mining Tech in Botswana: Sandvik will supply a 45-unit underground mining fleet to support ramp-up at MMG’s Khoemacau copper mine, including loaders, trucks, drill rigs and digital monitoring tools. Animal Health: Botswana’s Vaccine Institute says foot-and-mouth disease vaccines are available and ramping up production and quality testing for local and regional demand. Conservation Research: New findings suggest female baboons strengthen family bonds, highlighting how social structure supports survival.