Africa Capacity Indicators 2011

The inaugural edition of the African Capacity Building Foundation's annual Africa Capacity Indicators Report. The Report introduces a unique and unprecedented series of data on the state of capacity in Africa. It also examines key issues and challenges confronting in-country and cross-border capacity development. The ACIR will serve as a major diagnostic tool and guide the development of priority actions by providing practical insights and recommendations where necessary. Click here to access the report.

Survival analysis of SMMEs in Botswana

A dissertation by Bame Joshua Mannathoko, Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.

The study investigates the factors influencing survival of micro enterprises funded by the Department of Youth in Botswana. Data drawn from 271 business ventures established between the years 2005 and 2009 was analysed by using the Cox proportional hazards model (CPHM), a survival analysis technique. Results from the analysis suggest that businesses operated by younger owners endure a higher risk of failure in comparison to businesses owned by older entrepreneurs while firm size at start-up was also a significant determinant of survival. Click here to access the full report.

Botswana: Assessing Risks to Stability (June 2011)

The report, Botswana: Assessing Risks to Stability, is part of a series examining the risks of instability in 10 African countries over the next decade: The report was produced by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and authored by David W. Throup.  The project was commissioned by the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), and the countries covered are Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sudan and Uganda. Highlights from the Botswana report include:

• Botswana's economy remains highly dependent on diamond revenues, and repeated efforts to create alternative types of economic growth and job creation have failed
• Botswana's vulnerability as a result of dependence on regional dynamics
• Possible change in the political balance of power in the next decade

Click here to read the full Botswana report.

Towards a developmental SACU

Mmegi newspaper article by Professor Roman Grynberg (29/07/11).

Last month the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) had what newspapers in Gaborone called a 'near death experience' when members agreed to reject a SACU raeport and start afresh to look at the controversial revenue sharing formula (RSF).

Had the Australian consultant's report been accepted it would have seen a massive re-distribution of customs revenue away from Botswana Namibia and Swaziland to South Africa. Click here to read to full article.

Govt targets P38bn budget ceiling

Mmegi Newspaper article by Brian Benza (29/07/11).

Botswana Government has set a budget ceiling of P38.575 billion for next year, a year in which it intends to balance its books and thereafter ensure medium to long-term fiscal sustainability.

According to a draft 2012/13 national Budget Strategy Paper (BSP), government forecasts to collect P38.575 billion in revenues and grants in the next fiscal year, a 9.9 percent increase on this year's budget. Click here to access the full article.

BIUST taskforce tells Gov’t to go ahead with project

A Sunday Standard Newspaper article by Oliver Modise (31/07/11). A task force appointed by the Minister of Education to review and advise Government on the efficacy of the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) has recommended for the University project to continue. Click here to read the full article.