AGP Executive Report

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.

Healthcare & Cost of Living: Botswana’s medicine shortages are hitting households hard, with patients reporting months without buying treatment and caregivers stretching pensions just to cover drugs and supplies. Ageing & Social Protection: With the economy pressured by a diamond slowdown, Botswana’s older-person support is under strain as care services lag behind rising pension needs. Critical Minerals Update: Giyani Metals’ K. Hill manganese project DFS points to battery-grade output for EV supply chains, but with a big jump in upfront costs in today’s inflation-heavy environment. Uranium Drilling Signals: Eastport Critical Metals reports first assay results from Botswana uranium RC drilling, showing uranium intersections near the Letlhakane area. Digital Finance & Connectivity: BTC convened a finance-and-banking engagement on how telecom and tech can enable more secure, inclusive digital transactions. Regional Sci-Tech Cooperation: South Africa and Botswana used the Bi-National Commission to push stronger research links, digital sovereignty, and a regional innovation fund. AI Adoption Benchmark: Tunisia’s generative AI use is rising, ranking 8th in Africa, while Botswana sits among the mid-tier adopters. Cultural Tech: Sample Botswana launched an indigenous audio sample library to help local creators use Setswana sounds in music, film, and education. Sports Tech & Integrity: Botswana’s doping concerns continue to draw scrutiny as athletes face suspensions and challenges to test results.

Botswana Tech & Policy: Botswana’s ageing challenge is colliding with tighter public finances, as the economy is projected to contract in 2026 and diamond-linked revenue slows—raising pressure to fund elder care while social protection spending faces cuts. AI Adoption: Tunisia is ranked 8th in Africa for generative AI use, with 13.5% of its working-age population adopting the tools—an indicator of how fast AI is spreading across the region. Digital Finance & Connectivity: BTC convened a Finance and Banking Sector engagement on how connectivity enables secure, always-on digital transactions, aiming to strengthen collaboration across Botswana’s financial ecosystem. Regional Sci-Tech Cooperation: South Africa and Botswana pushed for deeper science, technology and innovation ties through the SA-Botswana Bi-National Commission, including a regional research and innovation fund and stronger digital sovereignty. Mining & Lab Results (Botswana): Giyani Metals posted positive feasibility results for its K.Hill battery-grade manganese project, while Eastport Critical Metals released first assay results from uranium drilling at Foley—both pointing to continued momentum in Botswana’s critical minerals pipeline. Culture Tech: Sample Botswana launched an indigenous audio sample library to digitise Setswana sounds for music, film, education and audio production, backed by CIPA archives. Health & Trade Risk: A major R1bn drug shipment was intercepted at Beitbridge using advanced scanning, highlighting ongoing cross-border security tech needs.

Botswana Tech & Finance: Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) hosted a Finance and Banking engagement on “Convergence: Where Finance and Technology Meet,” focusing on how connectivity underpins secure digital transactions and future-ready financial services. Mining & Energy Tech: Eastport Critical Metals shared first assay results from Botswana uranium drilling at the Foley Uranium Project, reporting uranium intersections in 6 of 10 holes and outlining pending results for more holes. Batteries in Focus: Giyani Metals reported positive definitive feasibility study results for its K.Hill battery-grade manganese project in Botswana, projecting post-tax NPV of $481.5m and IRR of 20.3%, with planned production of HPMSM and HPMO. Digital Culture & Media: Sample Botswana launched an indigenous audio sample library with CIPA support, aiming to preserve and commercialise local Setswana sounds for music, film, education and audio production. Sports Science & Integrity: Botswana’s athletics community faces renewed scrutiny after BNOC confirmed multiple doping violations and athletes were listed as ineligible by the Athletics Integrity Unit. Water & Environment Research: 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, boosting joint monitoring and biodiversity protection.

Drug Interdiction: South African authorities intercepted a nearly R1bn methaqualone (ABBA) shipment at Beitbridge, using intelligence-led targeting, a non-intrusive truck scan and an eight-hour physical search that uncovered about 713,000g of drugs; three Malawian nationals were arrested. Mining & Batteries: Giyani Metals reported positive definitive feasibility study results for its K.Hill battery-grade manganese project in Botswana, projecting post-tax NPV (8%) of $481.5m and IRR of 20.3%, with 220,000 t/y processing and products for EV and storage batteries. Uranium Drilling: Eastport Critical Metals released first assay results from Phase 1 reverse circulation drilling at Foley Uranium in Botswana, finding uranium mineralisation (>200ppm U3O8) in 6 of the first 10 holes. Water Science Collaboration: 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, boosting joint monitoring and ecosystem resilience. Digital Culture & Skills: Sample Botswana launched an indigenous audio sample library to help local creators use Setswana sounds in music, film and education, while a separate Mobile Digital Lab initiative (with Microsoft) is expanding AI and digital skills training via a solar-powered setup. Sports Integrity: Botswana’s athletics community faces renewed scrutiny after multiple doping violations and suspensions involving national athletes.

Botswana Mining Tech: Giyani Metals says its K.Hill battery-grade manganese project has delivered positive definitive feasibility study results, including post-tax NPV of $481.5m (8% discount) and IRR of 20.3%, with planned 220,000 t/y processing and 87% manganese recovery. Uranium Drilling Update: Eastport Critical Metals reports first assay results from Phase 1 RC drilling at Foley Uranium in Botswana, with uranium intersected in 6 of the first 10 holes over a 1.4 km strike length. AI for Exploration: Botswana Minerals plc identifies 36 copper anomalies across two northern licenses using AI via Planetary AI’s Xplore platform, with field exploration planned within three months. Water & Ecology Collaboration: South Africa and Botswana are set to sign an Upper Limpopo River Basin agreement to protect water quality and curb invasive aquatic species. Digital Culture & IP: Sample Botswana launches an indigenous audio sample library recorded with CIPA archives, aiming to make Setswana sounds usable for music, film, education and audio production. Public Health Supply Chain: India supplies about 40% of Africa’s imported medicines, but the corridor faces disruption risks amid regional conflict.

Upper Limpopo Water Pact: South Africa and Botswana are set to sign a transboundary agreement in Gaborone to protect water quality and curb aquatic invasive species in the Upper Limpopo River Basin, with joint monitoring and pollution-risk management aimed at safeguarding biodiversity and climate resilience. Digital Skills Push: Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Microsoft, with South Africa’s communications ministry, launched a solar-powered Mobile Digital Lab at the Royal Bafokeng Institute, training learners in digital literacy and AI foundations via Microsoft 365, Teams, Copilot and Power Platform certifications. Botswana Copper Hunt with AI: Botswana Minerals plc says AI mapping identified 36 copper anomalies across two northern licenses, planning field exploration and possible drilling within three months. Diamonds, Trade and Trust: Botswana joined the World Federation of Diamond Bourses, signalling a move beyond rough production toward diamond trade, value addition and provenance-driven growth. FMD Vaccine Legal Ruling: South Africa’s court ruled farmers and agri-businesses can lawfully procure and administer FMD vaccines outside the state system, reshaping how outbreaks are managed. Orange Digital Center: Botswana’s Orange Digital Center says it has supported over 4,300 people with free digital skills training, entrepreneurship and innovation pathways.

Mining justice & land rights: Church leaders and activists met in Botswana to push for stronger protections for communities affected by mining, calling for environmental accountability, protection of customary land rights, and informed consent before projects start. Botswana copper push with AI: Botswana Minerals plc says AI analysis found 36 copper anomalies across two northern licenses, with field exploration planned in about three months. Diamonds, trade and value addition: Botswana joined the World Federation of Diamond Bourses, positioning itself to expand beyond rough production into trade, provenance, and local value-chain participation. Health tech & lab diagnostics: ABL Diagnostics announced new public tenders and contracts for sequencing-based HIV and hepatitis workflows, including wins tied to Botswana. Digital skills in Botswana: Orange Digital Centre reports 4,300+ beneficiaries since launch, training youth in coding, entrepreneurship, electronics, and digital fabrication. Public health leadership: Dr Richard Kamwi was confirmed president of the Society for AIDS in Africa, with a new board focused on HIV, TB, hepatitis, and emerging infections. Livestock disease pressure: Botswana’s FMD situation remains a concern as reports highlight strain on farmers and the need for stronger control measures. Economy & ageing: A new study warns Botswana’s spending cuts during fiscal consolidation could worsen inequality and strain elder care as demand rises.

FMD Vaccination Push: KwaZulu-Natal’s uMgungundlovu district is in full foot-and-mouth disease mode, with officials reporting 13,000+ cattle vaccinated in a day and more drives rolling out—though it’s already causing major road disruption on Town Bush Road as teams and equipment flood in. World Athletics Update: The World Athletics Council has approved the 2027 World Championships qualification system, mixing entry standards and world rankings to shape who gets to Beijing. Wildlife Under Scrutiny: India’s Project Cheetah faces fresh questions after an inspection report says cheetahs in Kuno were tranquilised 110 times in just two years. Botswana Diamonds Strategy: Botswana doubles down on the diamond value chain—joining the World Federation of Diamond Bourses and positioning itself as a trust anchor focused on provenance, trade, and local participation. AI in Mining: Botswana Minerals plc says AI helped identify 36 copper anomalies across northern licences, with field exploration planned soon. Governance & Skills: Botswana also keeps investing in digital skills via the Orange Digital Centre, while regional leaders push ethical governance themes at SADC-focused summits.

Monarchy Spotlight: Eswatini’s King Mswati III marked 40 years on the throne with a lavish, state-backed celebration that drew regional heads of state and even a last-minute Taiwan visit—raising fresh questions about who pays for the spectacle. Critical Minerals Reality Check: Africa sits on huge critical-mineral wealth but still captures under 1% of clean-energy manufacturing value, keeping the “resources, not value” debate front and centre. Botswana Diamonds Strategy: With lab-grown competition biting, Botswana is leaning into supply control by stockpiling inventory, while also pushing diamonds as provenance-led brands via new trade and value-add moves. Governance & Ethics: Botswana’s corporate governance summit heard calls for ethical leadership and reforms that translate into jobs and inclusion. Digital Skills Push: Orange Digital Centre says it has trained 4,300+ people, building pathways into coding, entrepreneurship and employability. Public Health Leadership: Dr Richard Kamwi was appointed president of the Society for AIDS in Africa, steering work on HIV, TB and broader health priorities.

Court Ruling on FMD Vaccines: Botswana’s region just got a major legal jolt: South Africa’s Pretoria High Court ruled farmers and agri-businesses can lawfully procure and administer foot-and-mouth disease vaccines outside the state-controlled system, blocking interference and criticising the government’s scheme. Botswana Diamonds Push: In Botswana, Minerals and Energy Minister Bogolo Kenewendo used the World Federation of Diamond Bourses summit to pitch diamonds as “stories, brands, craftsmanship” and to expand beyond mining into trade, value addition and provenance. Inflation vs Rate Cuts: Across Africa, central banks are pausing rate cuts as an oil shock and Iran-linked tensions threaten to re-ignite inflation. Ageing Pressure from Budget Cuts: A new Botswana report warns fiscal tightening could worsen inequality and strain elder care as demand rises. Power for Mining: Industry news also lands locally: two 30 MVA transformers are being supplied for a mining house to handle higher demand and reliability needs. Aviation Tech Tie-Up: South Africa’s ATNS and Botswana’s CAAB signed a deal to expand joint training and tech collaboration for safer, more efficient air traffic.