AGP Executive Report

Botswana AI & IP Warning: Botswana’s broadcasting officials warn that piracy and unregulated AI could erode the creative sector and cultural identity, urging stronger intellectual property protections. Mining Tech in Botswana: JCHX has ordered a 45-unit underground mining equipment fleet from Sandvik for MMG’s Khoemacau Copper Mine (KCM), with deliveries starting August 2026 and running to 2030, including loaders, trucks, drill rigs and digital monitoring tools. Data Centre Services Expansion: Smart Hands Africa is now an authorised Services Partner for Supermicro, offering installation, configuration, break-fix support and maintenance across multiple African markets including Botswana. Conservation Tech in Botswana: Goo-Moremi Resort received giraffe tracking equipment from Save Giraffes Now—quad bikes, real-time tracking and camera systems—to improve monitoring, data collection and visitor education. Regional Tech & Skills: Armscor hosts 21 African scientists for an analytical chemistry course under the Chemical Weapons Convention, building lab capacity across member states. Robotics Funding (Africa tech): Genrobotics led a Rs 1 crore seed round into Kerala’s Estro Tech Robotics to accelerate AIoT and robotics for urban infrastructure.

Mining Transformation: Botswana’s Future of Mining Summit 2026 (29–30 June, Gaborone) will focus on investment, beneficiation and exploration financing gaps, with attention on the Kalahari Copper Belt and the role of the Exploration Investment Company Botswana (EICB). Digital Inclusion: A media brief highlights how telecoms like Kenya’s Safaricom and South Africa’s Vodacom have pushed accessibility for persons with disabilities, using assistive tech to narrow the digital divide. Wildlife Tech for Tourism: Goo-Moremi Resort received giraffe tracking equipment from Save Giraffes Now, including real-time tracking and camera systems to improve monitoring and visitor education. AI & Piracy Risks: Botswana warns that unregulated AI and piracy could erode the creative sector and cultural identity, urging stronger intellectual property protections. Botswana in Global Tech Services: Smart Hands Africa expands its Supermicro services partnership, covering installation, break-fix support and maintenance across multiple African territories including Botswana. Critical Minerals Supply Chain: JCHX booked a Sandvik order for 45 underground mining machines for MMG’s Khoemacau Copper Mine (KCM) in Botswana, with deliveries starting August 2026.

Wildlife Tech in Botswana: Goo-Moremi Resort received advanced giraffe tracking gear from Save Giraffes Now, including real-time tracking and camera systems, to help monitor movements, collect conservation data and improve animal health and safety—building on last year’s giraffe translocation. AI & Piracy Warning: Botswana’s broadcasting officials cautioned that unregulated AI and piracy could erode the creative sector, stressing stronger intellectual property protections to safeguard local creators and jobs. Mining Tech for KCM: JCHX booked a Sandvik order for 45 underground equipment units for MMG’s Khoemacau Copper Mine in Botswana, with deliveries starting August 2026 and running to April 2030, plus digital training and remote monitoring support. Battery Materials Update: Giyani Metals published a definitive feasibility study for its K.Hill battery-grade manganese project in Botswana, reporting post-tax NPV of US$481.5m (8% discount) and IRR of 20.3%, with plans to produce HPMSM and HPMO. Local Tech Business: Smart Hands Africa was named an authorised services partner for Supermicro, expanding installation, break-fix, maintenance and consulting services across multiple African territories including Botswana. Policy & Governance Context: Botswana Minerals appointed David Cockbill as a nonexecutive director, adding capital markets experience focused on natural resources and technology sectors.

Botswana AI & piracy warning: Botswana’s broadcasting officials say unregulated AI and piracy could erode the creative sector, urging stronger intellectual property protections to safeguard local film, music and storytelling. Mining tech in Botswana: JCHX has ordered a 45-unit underground equipment fleet from Sandvik for MMG’s Khoemacau Copper Mine, with deliveries starting Aug 2026 and running to 2030, including automation and remote monitoring tools. Battery materials push: Giyani Metals’ K.Hill battery-grade manganese project in Botswana has released a definitive feasibility study showing strong economics for producing high-purity manganese products, alongside plans to cut costs and lower carbon inputs. Regional tech services expansion: Smart Hands Africa is adding Supermicro to its portfolio as an authorised services partner, offering installation, break-fix support and maintenance across multiple African markets including Botswana. Science education in the region: Merck and the University of Zambia are running the Curiosity Cube mobile lab in Zambia, using hands-on synthetic biology activities to spark STEM interest. Wildlife conservation leadership: Tanzania’s wildlife biomass leadership is linked to its 2024/2025 national wildlife census and conservation planning, funded fully from domestic sources. World Cup health concern: US public health officials warn that major cuts and reduced global health capacity could raise infectious disease risks as teams and fans travel to World Cup host cities.

Public Health & Travel Risk: With the 2026 World Cup bringing millions of fans to US host cities, experts warn that weakened public health capacity could raise vulnerability to outbreaks like Ebola and measles. Media & Community Tech: Nwanyi FM marked its commemoration day, highlighting how multi-language broadcasting and faster tech-enabled information sharing help unite communities across Botswana and neighbouring countries. Culture & Learning Exchange: Botswana hosted the “Chinese Bridge” primary school finals in Gaborone, featuring language tests, speeches and performances run with the University of Botswana’s Confucius Institute. Digital Rights & Creative Economy: Botswana’s broadcasting officials warned that piracy and unregulated AI could erode creators’ income and cultural identity, urging stronger intellectual property protections. Botswana Minerals & Battery Supply Chain: Giyani Metals’ K.Hill battery-grade manganese project in Botswana received positive definitive feasibility study results, pointing to strong economics for HPMSM and HPMO production. Mining Tech in Botswana: JCHX booked a Sandvik order for 45 underground equipment units for MMG’s Khoemacau Copper Mine, with deliveries planned from August 2026. AI, Piracy & Policy: The same Botswana workshop stressed that protecting local stories and languages must be paired with enforceable rules for the digital ecosystem.

AI & IP Protection: Botswana’s Deputy Permanent Secretary for Broadcasting and Information Services Tshireletso Motlogelwa warned that piracy and unregulated AI could erode the creative sector and cultural identity, urging stronger intellectual property protections. Mining Tech in Botswana: JCHX booked a Sandvik order for a 45-unit underground equipment fleet for MMG’s Khoemacau Copper Mine (KCM), with deliveries starting Aug 2026 and running to Apr 2030, including loaders, trucks, drill rigs, raiseboring and monitoring tools. Data/Robotics Funding: Estro Tech Robotics raised a ₹1 crore seed round led by Genrobotics Innovations to accelerate robotics and AIoT solutions for utility and urban infrastructure management. Tech Services Expansion: Smart Hands Africa was appointed an authorised Supermicro services partner, offering installation, break-fix, maintenance, consulting and project-based infrastructure support across multiple African territories including Botswana. Energy Grid Hardware (Regional): South Africa-focused coverage highlights NECRT grid-connection units as key for renewable projects, underscoring the engineering demand behind cleaner-energy rollouts. Policy & Governance: Botswana Minerals appointed David Cockbill as a nonexecutive director, while broader regional reporting also spotlights constitutional and governance debates elsewhere in Africa.

HIV Prevention Breakthrough: South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa will launch Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly long-acting injectable for HIV prevention, rolling out to 360 clinics with rollout expected to reach high-burden KZN districts. Regional Sci-Tech & Policy: Botswana Minerals appoints David Cockbill as a nonexecutive director, adding capital markets experience to the Aim-listed firm. Clean Energy Grid Reliability: ACTOM’s NECRT solutions are highlighted as key for safe, stable grid connection of renewable projects, with recent transformer deliveries supporting major solar developments. Energy Access & Infrastructure: African utilities from South Africa, Zambia and Uganda are set to take centre stage at African Energy Week 2026, focused on grid expansion and electrification. Botswana Critical Minerals Push: Botswana’s foreign minister tells Korean firms the country offers rare-earth and battery-relevant minerals, urging investment in local manufacturing and value-added projects. Battery Materials Update: Giyani Metals reports strong DFS results for its K.Hill battery-grade manganese project in Botswana, targeting HPMSM/HPMO economics with a post-tax NPV of US$481.5m (8% discount). Biodiversity Baseline for Conservation: A Lisima plateau survey in Angola recorded 1,000+ insect species and 320 plant samples, feeding into future conservation planning for river systems including the Okavango. STEM Outreach: Merck’s Curiosity Cube™ continues in Southern Africa, using hands-on synthetic biology experiments to spark STEM interest in learners across Zambia and Pretoria.

Botswana Tech & Industry: Botswana is pushing to modernise its diamond value chain as lab-grown competition rises, with the World Federation of Diamond Bourses Botswana Summit spotlighting AI, blockchain-style traceability, and digital trading plus new roles for the Botswana Stock Exchange in widening access to diamond wealth. Public Health Regulation: Botswana is urged to fast-track Tobacco Control Act (2021) regulations after a 2025 Tobacco Industry Interference Index flagged growing industry influence, especially around vaping and nicotine products targeting young people. Critical Minerals & Investment: Botswana’s foreign minister says the country offers Korean firms opportunities beyond extraction, pointing to rare-earth and battery-relevant minerals and a pipeline of 186 priority projects under BETP, including infrastructure and value-added manufacturing. Mining Project Update (Botswana): Giyani Metals reports strong Definitive Feasibility Study results for its K.Hill battery-grade manganese project in Kanye Basin, with a post-tax NPV (8%) of US$481.5m and plans to use solar and lower-carbon inputs. Science Education (Regional): Merck’s Curiosity Cube™ is bringing hands-on STEM lessons to learners in Zambia and Pretoria, using synthetic biology experiments to spark future science careers. Sports Science & Integrity (Botswana): Botswana’s anti-doping system faces scrutiny as athletes were ordered to receive original ADAMS login details, raising questions about access and transparency in doping case handling.

Critical Minerals & Industrial Push: Botswana’s Foreign Minister Phenyo Butale tells Korea’s mining, battery and construction firms the country can supply rare-earths and battery-critical minerals, but wants investment to move into local manufacturing and value-added projects, pointing to 186 priority BETP projects. Battery-Grade Manganese Update: Giyani Metals reports strong Definitive Feasibility Study results for its K.Hill project in Botswana, targeting battery-grade manganese products with a post-tax NPV (8%) of US$481.5m and IRR of 20.3%. Metals Exploration in Botswana: Leviathan Metals says diamond core drilling is underway at its Central Project in the Kalahari Copper Belt, using airborne electromagnetic and magnetic surveys to target sediment-hosted copper mineralisation. Tobacco Control Regulations: Botswana is urged to urgently finalise and implement Tobacco Control Act (2021) regulations as a new 2025 Tobacco Industry Interference Index flags rising industry influence, especially via vaping and newer nicotine products. Digital & Consumer Tech: Huawei Botswana launches the HUAWEI nova 15 Max in Gaborone, with Cell City as distributor, while highlighting app-service usability. Sports Science & Integrity: Botswana’s athletics faces renewed scrutiny over doping handling, with a focus on access to WADA ADAMS login details and the BNOC/NADO response. Diamond Market Shift: Botswana’s diamond industry leaders warn that AI, blockchain, traceability and digital trading are becoming essential as lab-grown competition reshapes how natural diamonds are marketed and sold.

Botswana Mining & Tech: Giyani Metals says its K.Hill battery-grade manganese Definitive Feasibility Study for Botswana is delivering strong economics, with post-tax NPV (8%) of US$481.5m and post-tax IRR of 20.3%, plus a planned push to improve recovery and lower-carbon inputs. Botswana Energy & Industry: Leviathan Metals has started up to 10,000m of diamond core drilling at its Central Project in the Kalahari Copper Belt, targeting sediment-hosted copper mineralisation using airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey work. Botswana Public Health Policy: Botswana is being urged to fast-track and implement Tobacco Control Act (2021) regulations after a 2025 Tobacco Industry Interference Index flagged rising industry influence, especially around vaping and youth targeting. Botswana Digital & Consumer Tech: Huawei Botswana has launched the HUAWEI nova 15 Max in Gaborone, positioning it around practical app services and seamless Google availability via local retail partner Cell City. Regional Telecom Governance: Telecom Namibia CEO Stanley Shanapinda is set to leave on 1 July to become Executive Secretary of CRASA, a Southern Africa regulator harmonisation body based in Gaborone. STEM Outreach: Merck’s Curiosity Cube™ is running hands-on synthetic biology events across Southern Africa, including Zambia and Pretoria, linking learners to local STEM careers. Sports Science & Integrity: Botswana’s athletics faces renewed scrutiny over doping handling, after court-ordered access to WADA ADAMS login details for suspended athletes. Global Tech-Policy Context: Botswana’s diamond industry is being pushed to modernise sales with AI, blockchain, and traceability as lab-grown competition reshapes consumer expectations.

Botswana Tobacco Control: Botswana has been urged to urgently finalise and implement Tobacco Control Act (2021) regulations as a new 2025 Tobacco Industry Interference Index flags rising industry influence, especially through vaping and newer nicotine products. Diamond Tech Shift: At the World Federation of Diamond Bourses Botswana Summit, industry leaders warned that natural-diamond marketing must evolve for an AI-and-blockchain era, pushing traceability, ownership and digital trading as lab-grown competition reshapes demand. Crypto & Geopolitics: Bitcoin and the wider crypto market slid sharply after Iranian strikes on Kuwait and escalation around the Strait of Hormuz, with leveraged positions reportedly forced out as risk assets fell. Regional Telecom Leadership: Telecom Namibia CEO Stanley Shanapinda was appointed Executive Secretary of CRASA, with his Telecom Namibia tenure ending 1 July; the role is based in Gaborone and focuses on SADC regulator harmonisation. STEM Outreach: Merck’s Curiosity Cube™ mobile lab brought hands-on synthetic biology experiments to Pretoria students, aiming to turn curiosity into STEM career pathways. Mining & Industry: Leviathan Metals has started a diamond core drilling program at its Central Project in Botswana’s Kalahari Copper Belt, targeting sediment-hosted copper mineralisation. Metallurgy Hub Push: Selebi-Phikwe was highlighted as a key industrial transformation centre as Botswana advances plans for a Metallurgical and Electric Mobility Hub to deepen beneficiation and innovation-led growth.

Botswana Mining Tech: Leviathan Metals has started a diamond core drilling program of up to 10,000m at its Central Project in the Kalahari Copper Belt, targeting sediment-hosted copper mineralisation along the DKF-NPF contact under the Hyena Hills dome, using recent airborne electromagnetic and ground magnetic survey interpretations. Botswana Industry & Innovation: A Metallurgy Hub consultative forum in Selebi-Phikwe pushed plans for a fully integrated Metallurgical and Electric Mobility Hub, linking copper, nickel, manganese, graphite, cobalt and lithium-linked resources to battery and EV supply chains. Botswana Telecom & Regulation: Telecom Namibia CEO Stanley Shanapinda has been appointed Executive Secretary of CRASA, with his Telecom Namibia tenure ending 1 July; the move is based in Botswana and focuses on harmonising communications regulation across SADC. Botswana Sports Science & Integrity: Botswana’s BNOC and NADO doping dispute highlights the role of WADA’s ADAMS system access, after a court order forced release of athletes’ original login details, with doping cases still under scrutiny. Botswana Mobile Tech: Huawei Botswana launched the HUAWEI nova 15 Max in Gaborone, with Cell City as distributor and a focus on app services usability. Regional Tech & Security: South Africa’s suspected digital fraud rate topped Africa in 2025, with generative AI expected to boost fraud scale and sophistication.

Digital Security: South Africa leads Africa in suspected digital fraud, with 3.0% of 2025 transactions flagged, and losses increasingly tied to third-party seller scams on legitimate ecommerce—generative AI is making attacks more precise and faster. Botswana Tech & Finance: Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) convened a finance-and-banking engagement on how connectivity underpins secure, always-on digital services, pushing collaboration across the financial ecosystem. Sci-Tech Cooperation: South Africa and Botswana reaffirmed stronger science, technology and innovation links through the SA-Botswana Bi-National Commission, including plans for regional digital sovereignty, university research collaboration, and a regional research and innovation fund. Critical Minerals (Botswana): Giyani Metals’ K. Hill manganese Definitive Feasibility Study points to battery-grade manganese potential for EV supply chains, but with a sharp capex jump to $535m amid 2026 cost pressures. AI Adoption (Tunisia): Tunisia ranks 8th in Africa for generative AI use, with 13.5% of working-age people adopting the tools, according to a Microsoft AI Economy Institute report. Water & Health (Botswana-linked): A feature highlights how medicine shortages and limited access to care are hitting families hard in Botswana, with caregivers and patients describing the real-life cost of system gaps.

Botswana–SA sci-tech push: South Africa and Botswana used the SA-Botswana Bi-National Commission to agree on deeper science, technology and innovation cooperation, including regional digital sovereignty, joint research and a regional research and innovation fund. Botswana finance meets tech: Botswana’s BTC hosted a Finance and Banking Sector engagement on how connectivity and digital tools can improve secure, inclusive financial services. Botswana health strain: A report highlights medicine and supply shortages hitting patients hard, with families in Botswana struggling to afford treatment and caregivers seeking support like mobility aids. Botswana critical minerals update: Giyani Metals released positive results for its Botswana manganese project, while Eastport Critical Metals unveiled first assay results from Botswana uranium drilling. Botswana elder care pressure: With diamond-linked growth slowing, Botswana’s ageing population is set to strain social protection budgets, spotlighting gaps in long-term care funding. Regional livestock tech: South Africa gazetted a voluntary foot-and-mouth disease vaccination scheme, raising stakes for Zimbabwe’s southern livestock producers. Fuel procurement controversy (Namibia): Namibia directed fuel firms to source bulk petrol and diesel exclusively from Vitol for three months, triggering transparency and conflict-of-interest questions. AI adoption (Tunisia): Tunisia reached 13.5% generative AI use among working-age people, ranking 8th in Africa. AI training (Kenya): Kenya launched an online eTVET model to widen access for youth and persons with disability.

Botswana–South Africa Sci-Tech: Ministers from both countries used the SA–Botswana Bi-National Commission to push deeper science, tech and innovation cooperation, including regional digital sovereignty, university research links, and a proposed regional research and innovation fund. Botswana Water Security: A new pact is set to protect water quality in the Upper Limpopo River Basin, targeting pollution risks and invasive aquatic species with joint monitoring and basin-wide management. Critical Minerals in Botswana: Eastport Critical Metals reported first uranium drilling assay results from Botswana’s Foley project, with uranium intersected in 6 of 10 holes, while Giyani Metals published positive definitive feasibility results for its K. Hill battery-grade manganese project, including post-tax NPV of $481.5m and IRR of 20.3%. Digital Culture Tech: Sample Botswana, launched with CIPA support, is digitising indigenous audio for music, film, education and audio production—turning local sound heritage into usable digital assets. Health & Cost Pressures: A Botswana report highlights how medicine shortages and limited access to free care are forcing patients and caregivers to self-fund treatment, deepening financial strain. Regional Tech & Policy Watch: South Africa introduced a voluntary foot-and-mouth vaccination scheme that could affect livestock trade and operations across the region.

Botswana Tech & Science: Digital Culture & IP: Sample Botswana launched an indigenous audio sample library with CIPA, recording Setswana instruments, chants and soundscapes for use in music, film, education and audio production—an effort to keep local sounds visible in the digital economy. Health & Social Protection: A report highlights how Botswana’s ageing and chronic-care needs are colliding with medicine and supply shortages, leaving some patients effectively paying out of pocket and caregivers stretched. Mining & Lab Work: Eastport Critical Metals received first uranium assay results from early RC drilling at the Foley Uranium Project in Botswana, reporting uranium intersections in multiple holes and more assays pending. Critical Minerals Investment: Giyani Metals’ K.Hill manganese project DFS for battery-grade manganese in Botswana points to strong returns but higher capex in today’s cost environment. Regional Collaboration: South Africa and Botswana reinforced sci-tech cooperation via the SA-Botswana Bi-National Commission, including plans for a regional research and innovation fund and stronger university links. Tech for Finance: BTC hosted a Finance and Banking sector engagement on how connectivity and secure digital services are reshaping Botswana’s financial ecosystem. Energy & Climate (Region): South Africa and Botswana are set to sign an Upper Limpopo Basin agreement to protect water quality and tackle invasive aquatic species.