05 Feb 2024

In efforts to further enhance Botswana’s democratic principles, government will introduce political party funding to the tune of P34.6  million in the 2024/25 financial year.

Delivering the budget speech yesterday, Minister of Finance, Ms Peggy Serame said the 2024/25 budget would also promote equality for all and grant equal opportunities for women, men, girls and boys as well as vulnerable groups to fully participate in the socio-economic and political development of Botswana.

She said government had therefore proposed an increase in the budget for gender mainstreaming by 536.5 per cent, youth development fund by 92.3 per cent and social protection programmes by 13.8 per cent.

“Though the budget proposals point to a relatively expansionary fiscal stance, this does not amount to abandoning our time-tested tradition of responsible planning and budgeting that underscores affordability as well as spending restraint. Therefore, our commitment to fiscal consolidation remains and will continue to be guided by sound macro-economic and fiscal policy,” she said. ends