02 Mar 2026

Twelve months into office, government has shifted from fiscal strain to structural reform and targeted social relief, Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Moeti Mohwasa, told Parliament during the 2026/27 Budget debate. 

Mohwasa outlined what he described as measurable progress achieved despite significant inherited financial pressures. 

Among the immediate interventions were social protection measures aimed at easing the cost of living. The Old Age Pension was increased from P830 to P1,400, while Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) student allowances rose from P300 to P1,900. Electricity and water tariffs were reduced by 30 per cent, and a 50 per cent amnesty was granted on outstanding water bills. 

Free sanitary pads were introduced as part of a dignity-focused social protection programme. “These were not announcements,” Mr Mohwasa said. 

“They were decisions meant to restore dignity while reform takes root.” On governance reform, he cited the gazetting of the Constitutional Amendment Bill and ongoing steps toward establishing a Constitutional Court. 

A revised Media Practitioners Bill is also in development, aimed at strengthening professionalism while supporting responsible self-regulation within the sector. Fiscal consolidation featured prominently in his remarks. 

For the first time in recent years, the previous financial year closed without a supplementary budget. 

The centralisation of Government Purchase Orders reduced average monthly commitments from P1.14 billion to P584 million. 

“Government cut waste without shutting down services,” Minister Mohwasa said, describing the shift as a departure from what he termed a culture of expenditure overruns. He further highlighted improvements in public service delivery. 

The restructuring of Central Medical Stores is expected to deliver a 30 to 40 per  cent reduction in procurement costs. 

Payment turnaround times at the Botswana Meat Commission have been reduced from months to seven days, with P698 million in arrears cleared. Government also paid P206 million owed to farmers by the Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB), leaving an outstanding balance of P65 million. 

The 450-bed Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital has been converted into a public health facility to ease pressure on Princess Marina Hospital and reduce overseas referrals. Government has further committed P5 billion toward hospital-related obligations as part of broader healthcare reform efforts. 

Looking ahead, Mohwasa emphasised economic diversification as central to the Budget strategy. 

The Botswana Economic Transformation Programme comprises 186 projects projected to unlock P514 billion in cumulative investment and create more than 512 000 jobs by 2036. “The foundation we inherited was strained. But within twelve months, we have moved from reaction to reform, from drift to discipline, and from uncertainty to structured transformation,” he said.

He urged Parliament to support a Budget he described as anchored in realism, reform and resilience. ENDS