02 Mar 2026

The Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs envisions spearheading reforms aimed at facilitating and contributing to national economic recovery.

Presenting the ministry’s budget estimates for the 2026/27 financial year, Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Major General Pius Mokgware, stated that a key driver of such recovery included transitioning to 24-hour operations at strategic border posts shared with neighboring countries. Minister Mokgware said the four borders identified for 24-hour operation included Kazungula, Martins Drift, Pioneer Gate and Tlokweng. 

He noted that the move would create opportunities for Batswana, facilitate movement of travellers and trade as well as improve Botswana’s overall global competitiveness. He also emphasised that strengthening a 24-hour economy would allow for limitless access to services. 

He also revealed that the ministry was exploring engagement with key stakeholders to implement shift work within the public sector with the aim to reduce employee fatigue while creating more job opportunities. “These interventions are expected to bring efficiency to service delivery and ensure the timely issuance of vital documents, including National Identity Cards (Omang), work and residence permits, visas and birth and death certificates. I must underline that as we digitise the economy, these initiatives will serve to augment our digital platforms,” he added. Regarding Omang, Maj. Gen. Mokgware acknowledged that the ministry had encountered service delivery challenges, particularly in the application and issuance of identification documents. To address such, he said the ministry was undertaking a series of reforms, including digitalisation of services and strengthening of performance monitoring mechanisms. 

Furthermore, he said the National Registration (Amendment) Act of 2025 now allowed for the use of passports and drivers’ licenses as valid identification during the period when identity cards were being replaced, to ensure continuity of service and convenience for citizens. Regarding the amended Citizenship Act, the minister stated that the ministry would undertake an assessment and profiling of specific communities to eliminate the possibility of statelessness. 

On the digital ID initiative, he explained that the Electronic Identification System, originally prioritised for the 2025/26 financial year under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, had evolved into a broader Digital ID project. 

“This programme aims to deliver a unified, secure and citizen-centric digital infrastructure that integrates digital IDs, a national e-wallet and e-government services,” he noted. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs’ total budget request for 2026/27 amounts to P973 million for the recurrent budget and P70 million for the development budget.Under the development budget of P70 million, P42 million will be allocated to computerisation projects, including the Biometric Omang system. The remainder would fund the Records Management System, a Library Management System and general infrastructure development. The recurrent budget will cover personnel emoluments, subventions for the Botswana National Productivity Centre and the Non-Governmental Organisation Council, maintenance and office rentals. 

The immigration and citizenship will get P362 million for the procurement of passport booklets and maintenance of the Immigration and Citizenship System and the Passport and Border Control System. Under Civil and National Registration, P105 million will fund the production of Omang cards and maintenance of the Births and Deaths Registration System. 

The Labour and Industrial Relations will be allocated P76m for subscriptions to international organisations and board sitting allowances, with an additional P16.5 million for workplace safety inspections and health audits. Other departmental allocations include P89.6 million for Botswana National Library Services, P111 million for Department of Employment Services, P40.9 million for Botswana Public Service College, P29.9 million for the Botswana National Archives and Records Services as well as P10.6 million for the Department of Productivity and Competitiveness. ENDs