AGP Executive Report

Water Safety Watch: A new Environmental Performance Index review flags unsafe drinking water as a major public health risk, with many African countries among the lowest-ranked—linked to aging water systems, weak sanitation, and climate pressures. Public Health Funding Link: Zimbabwe’s cancer care push is tied to the Sugar Content Tax on beverages, with new radiotherapy equipment arriving for Mpilo and Parirenyatwa and more machines planned to expand local treatment capacity. Wildlife & Climate Impacts: Reports from Zambia describe elephants raiding farms and wiping out maize overnight, underscoring how climate stress is intensifying human-wildlife conflict across the Kavango-Zambezi region. Conservation in Focus: Angola’s Lisima plateau was surveyed for the first time in decades, with the expedition logging rich insect and plant life and mapping a key water source feeding major river basins including the Okavango. Botswana Nature Tourism: A travel guide highlights cycling across the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, pointing to wildlife encounters and the best dry-season conditions for riders. Regional Trade Note: Namibia’s leadership reaffirmed SACU as a key regional pillar—relevant to how environmental and resource policies move across borders.

Wildlife & Climate Impacts: Hungry elephants in Zambia are raiding farmers’ fields at night, wiping out maize harvests and deepening food insecurity across the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area. Conservation Health Watch: India’s Kuno cheetah KGP11 is in intensive care after internal haemorrhage; officials say her condition is stable but key updates are expected in days. Botswana Nature Tourism: The world’s highest-paid football coach, Diego Simeone, has been spotted visiting Botswana’s Okavango Delta, highlighting continued global pull for high-end eco-safaris. Community Food Systems: Shoprite’s Market Day helped nearly 60 community gardeners from South Africa, Namibia and Botswana sell produce directly, boosting small-scale farmers through retail training and support. Sustainability Leadership: Treehaus Institute and Cambridge’s sustainability leadership arm are partnering to bring sustainability training closer to Botswana and the region. Elephant Conservation in Captivity: A rescued African savanna elephant from drought-hit Eswatini has been welcomed into San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Elephant Valley to support breeding and education.

Wildlife Health Watch: India’s Kuno National Park is treating cheetah KGP11 after internal haemorrhage was found; officials say her condition is stable but a clearer picture should emerge in 3–4 days. Conservation Data: A first-time 2026 survey of Angola’s Lisima plateau recorded 1,000+ insect species and 320 plant samples, building baseline data for ecosystems that feed major river systems including the Okavango. Cheetah Crisis (Region): South Africa’s free-roaming cheetahs face a sharp decline outside protected reserves, with a census reporting far fewer mature animals than previously estimated. Botswana Biodiversity & Tourism: A luxury safari spotlight continues around the Okavango Delta, with high-profile visitors drawn to its wildlife and protected landscapes. Mining & Development (Botswana): Botswana appoints Akinwumi Adesina as Chair of the Diamonds for Development Fund, linking diamond value to long-term diversification goals. Sustainability Leadership (Botswana): Treehaus Institute partners with Cambridge’s sustainability leadership arm to build local capacity for climate and resource-smart decision-making. Food & Community Gardens: Shoprite’s Market Day lets nearly 60 community gardeners from Botswana, Namibia and South Africa sell produce directly, boosting small-scale livelihoods.

Diamonds for Development: Botswana has appointed former AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina as Chairperson of the Diamonds for Development Fund, a joint Botswana–De Beers initiative aimed at economic diversification and long-term growth; he is set to assume office on 15 June. Natural diamonds push: De Beers is stepping up its “Desert Diamonds” campaign to boost demand for natural stones and keep them distinct from synthetics—an effort that matters for diamond economies including Botswana. Wildlife & tourism spotlight: A luxury safari trend story highlights eco-friendly, design-led lodge openings across Africa, including an “off-grid” retreat in South Africa’s Addo Elephant National Park. Community gardening markets: Shoprite’s Market Day gave nearly 60 community gardeners from South Africa, Namibia and Botswana direct retail access, pairing produce sales with training and support. Regional fisheries governance: SADC renewed the board of the Regional Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Centre in Maputo, keeping Namibia’s fisheries observer chief as chair and prioritising vessel registers and capacity building. Biodiversity fieldwork in the region: An Angola expedition surveyed the Lisima plateau, recording major insect, plant and amphibian findings that feed into future conservation planning for river systems reaching Botswana’s Okavango Delta.

Eco-Tourism & Wildlife: Botswana’s eco-tourism is bouncing back, with the Botswana Tourism Organisation pushing a low-impact, high-value model and community-led conservation, including new funding for areas like Ngamiland and Makgadikgadi. Conservation & Biodiversity: A major Angola expedition surveyed the remote Lisima plateau for the first time in decades, recording over 1,000 insect species and hundreds of plant samples—key baseline data for ecosystems that feed the Okavango Delta and other major river systems. Community & Learning: Botswana-linked science outreach continues across Southern Africa, with Merck’s Curiosity Cube™ bringing hands-on STEM activities to students and building future science pathways. Diamonds & Traceability: Botswana’s diamond industry is being urged to shift from old marketing to AI- and blockchain-ready traceability and digital trading as lab-grown competition rises. Regional Fisheries Governance: SADC renewed leadership for the Regional Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre, keeping Stanley Ndara as chair and prioritising vessel registers and better enforcement. Health & Environment Link: “One Health” messaging is getting renewed focus, stressing that protecting human and animal health depends on treating the environment as a root cause, not an afterthought.

Eco-Tourism Boost: Botswana is leaning harder into eco-tourism as demand for responsible travel rises, with the sector now supporting jobs and local enterprises while community-led conservation and funding (including about P72 million for Ngamiland and Makgadikgadi) help protect wildlife and habitats. Wildlife & Adventure: A guide to cycling through the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans highlights how to plan for rough terrain, dry-season weather (April–October), and safe wildlife encounters with elephants, meerkats and birds. Conservation Science Link: An Angola expedition to the Lisima plateau recorded major biodiversity across insects, plants, reptiles and amphibians, feeding river systems that eventually reach Botswana’s Okavango Delta—useful baseline data for future conservation. Regional Fisheries Governance: SADC renewed leadership for its fisheries monitoring and surveillance centre in Maputo, keeping Namibia’s Stanley Ndara as chair and focusing on tackling illegal fishing, improving vessel registers and reducing donor reliance. Health & Environment (One Health): A World Bank official stressed that protecting human and animal health depends on treating the environment as a root cause, not an afterthought—reinforcing the One Health approach. Diamonds for Development: Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund has appointed former AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina as chair, aiming to diversify the economy beyond mining and strengthen long-term development.

Biodiversity & Water Security: An expedition in Angola’s remote Lisima plateau documented rich life feeding major river systems, including Botswana’s Okavango Delta—recording 1,000+ insect species, 24 amphibians, 23 reptiles, and 320+ plant samples, creating a new baseline for future conservation. Wildlife Crisis: South Africa’s free-roaming cheetahs outside protected areas are down sharply, with a census finding 70% fewer mature animals than previously thought—highlighting human-caused mortality and legal gaps that could ripple across the region. Regional Fisheries Governance: SADC reappointed Stanley Ndara to chair the Regional Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre board, with priorities including vessel registers, capacity building, and cutting reliance on donor funding to curb illegal fishing. Eco-Tourism Push: Botswana’s eco-tourism is rebounding, with community-led conservation and low-impact, high-value travel framed as a jobs and diversification driver beyond diamonds. Health & Environment Link: A “One Health” message from the World Bank stresses that protecting human and animal health requires treating the environment as a core cause, not an afterthought. Botswana Diamonds Leadership: Botswana named Akinwumi Adesina as chair of the Diamonds for Development Fund, aiming to support long-term development and diversification around the diamond value chain.

Wildlife & Conservation Culture: Gordon Buchanan’s “Lions and Tigers and Bears” tour is set to bring more animal-focused storytelling to UK audiences in 2027, with audiences invited to learn from his decades of filming wildlife in natural habitats. Botswana Diamonds & Development: Botswana has appointed former AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina as Chair of the Diamonds for Development Fund, aimed at using diamond value to drive diversification and long-term growth. Regional Fisheries Governance: SADC reappointed Stanley Ndara to chair the Regional Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre board, keeping pressure on illegal fishing and pushing vessel registers and capacity-building. Eco-Tourism & Jobs: Botswana’s eco-tourism revival is gaining momentum, with community-led conservation and low-impact, high-value travel framed as a jobs and biodiversity win. Health & Environment Link: A Bulawayo polio vaccination drive is underway, synchronized across neighbouring countries, while Botswana’s One Health messaging continues to stress that environmental factors can’t be left out of human and animal health planning. Wildlife Health Support: Chobe Holdings donated rabies vaccines to North West District as cases rise and local healthcare supplies remain stretched.

SADC Fisheries Oversight: Stanley Ndara has been reappointed to chair the SADC Regional Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre board, as ministers in Victoria Falls push harder against illegal fishing, improve vessel registers, and reduce donor dependence. Eco-Tourism Jobs: Botswana’s tourism revival is gaining momentum with a low-impact, high-value model, community-led conservation funding, and growing employment—positioning eco-tourism as a key growth engine beyond diamonds. One Health Warning: A World Bank director stresses that the environment can’t be treated as an afterthought in “One Health” work—otherwise countries keep tackling symptoms instead of root causes. Wildlife Health Support: Chobe Holdings donates 300 rabies vaccines to North West District as a deadly outbreak hits Maun and surrounding areas, highlighting gaps in medical supplies. Community Conservation & Learning: Botswana-linked regional efforts also show up in conservation and public health themes, from cross-border disease coordination to practical skills and awareness.

One Health & Environment: World Bank’s Valerie Hickey says protecting human and animal health only works when the environment is treated as a root cause, not an afterthought—requiring real partnership across governments, farmers, and the private sector. Wildlife & Disease Control: Bulawayo begins a four-day polio vaccination drive for children under five after a CVDPV2 outbreak linked to earlier transmission in Harare, with cross-border synchronisation including Botswana. Regional Fisheries Governance: SADC reappoints fisheries monitoring chief Stanley Ndara to keep pressure on illegal fishing, with member states urged to pay contributions and phase out destructive nets. Biodiversity & Conservation Funding: The GEF Council approves a final GEF-8 disbursement of $144.3m, including support to reduce human-wildlife conflict in Botswana. Water Stress Reminder: A water-focused piece flags that countries including Botswana already face extremely high water stress, with climate change expected to worsen scarcity. Livestock Biosecurity: LPO vice-chair Dawie Kok urges Southern Africa to fight foot-and-mouth disease together, warning no country can stay safe in isolation. Botswana Economy & Environment Link: Botswana’s projected 2026 contraction and tighter public spending raise pressure on social services, including elder care, as diamond-linked revenues soften.

Transboundary Animal Health: Namibia’s Livestock Producers’ Organisation vice-chair Dawie Kok says foot-and-mouth disease can’t be beaten in isolation, urging stronger regional cooperation between governments, vets and farmers to protect FMD-free status and keep trade routes open. Regional Fisheries Governance: SADC fisheries ministers reappointed Stanley Ndara to lead the regional fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance centre in Maputo, backing continued action against illegal fishing and pushing member states to clear outstanding contributions. Water & Uranium Risk Debate: Researchers and Namibia-based stakeholders say the disputed Stampriet Transboundary System is a basin, not a single aquifer, and warn that uranium-related impacts may already be showing in local boreholes—raising questions for water safety and testing. Wildlife Crime Enforcement: Botswana’s neighbours report progress against wildlife trafficking, with pangolin traffickers in South Africa sentenced to eight years after a sting operation rescued a live Temminck’s pangolin. Biodiversity Funding: The Global Environment Facility approved a final GEF-8 disbursement of $144.3m, including support to reduce human-wildlife conflict in Botswana and strengthen nature-positive conservation. Clean Energy Watch: Oman’s O-Green announced a 58MW wind pilot in Duqm, adding to regional momentum on renewable power and industrial decarbonisation.

Water Security: A new push for safer, more reliable water systems highlights that only 2.5% of Earth’s water is freshwater, while Botswana and other countries face “extremely high water stress,” with climate change and drought expected to worsen scarcity. Wildlife Crime: South Africa’s North West courts handed two pangolin traffickers eight years’ direct imprisonment after a sting operation rescued a Temminck’s pangolin, underscoring the fight against biodiversity loss. Transboundary Water & Uranium Concerns: Namibia’s disputed Stampriet Transboundary System is described as a basin (not an aquifer), with farmers tapping shallow water that may already show elevated uranium exposure—raising questions for cross-border water management. Regional Animal Health: Southern African livestock producers are urged to strengthen cross-border cooperation to stop Foot and Mouth Disease, with Botswana and South Africa backing a 2026–2028 action plan. Conservation Funding: The Global Environment Facility approved $144.3m in final GEF-8 disbursement, including support to reduce human-wildlife conflict in Botswana. Energy & Climate: Oman’s O-Green announced a 58 MW wind pilot in Duqm as part of a broader clean-energy buildout, while Botswana’s wider policy debate continues to link development to climate and water realities.

Transboundary Water Protection: South Africa and Botswana are set to sign a pact in Gaborone to safeguard water quality in the Upper Limpopo River Basin and tackle aquatic invasive species, with joint monitoring aimed at protecting biodiversity and boosting climate resilience. Wildlife Crime Crackdown: Botswana-linked regional enforcement news highlights South Africa’s North West pangolin trafficking case, where two traffickers received eight years’ direct imprisonment after a sting operation rescued a Temminck’s pangolin. Climate Finance Push: The Global Environment Facility approved a final $144.3m disbursement under GEF-8, including support for reducing human-wildlife conflict in Botswana as part of broader biodiversity and ocean ecosystem work. Clean Energy Development: Oman’s O-Green plans a 58 MW wind pilot in Duqm to generate about 190 GWh a year, feeding decarbonisation plans for local industry. Livestock Disease Cooperation: Southern African livestock producers are urged to strengthen cross-border cooperation to fight Foot and Mouth Disease, stressing that outbreaks ignore borders.

Transboundary Water Security: South Africa and Botswana are set to sign a Memorandum of Agreement to jointly manage pollution risks and curb invasive aquatic species in the Upper Limpopo River Basin, aiming to protect biodiversity and strengthen climate resilience. Wildlife Crime Crackdown: North West authorities welcomed the eight-year direct imprisonment of pangolin traffickers after a sting operation rescued a Temminck’s pangolin, underscoring how wildlife crime keeps crossing borders. Clean Energy Push: Oman’s O-Green is developing a 58 MW wind pilot in Duqm, part of a wider solar-wind-battery portfolio—useful context for regional clean power momentum. Water & Drought Pressure: A commentary highlights that countries including Botswana face extremely high water stress, with climate change and drought expected to intensify scarcity. Livestock Disease Cooperation: The Livestock Producers’ Organisation calls for stronger Southern African cooperation to fight Foot and Mouth Disease, warning no country can stay safe alone. Critical Minerals Watch: Giyani Metals’ feasibility update for Botswana’s K. Hill manganese project flags higher costs and a tougher 2026 investment environment for EV battery supply chains.

Elder Care Funding Strain: Botswana’s economy is projected to shrink in 2026 as diamonds slow, squeezing public budgets just as the number of older people (60+) rises fast—raising urgent questions about how to fund old-age support when care services lag. Critical Minerals Update: Giyani Metals’ feasibility study for its K. Hill manganese project in Botswana says the plan is technically viable for EV battery-grade manganese, but costs have jumped sharply, highlighting pressure on new critical mineral supply chains. Wildlife Crime Crackdown: North West authorities welcomed an eight-year sentence for pangolin traffickers after a sting operation intercepted a live pangolin, underscoring tougher enforcement against threatened species. Water & Biodiversity Protection: South Africa and Botswana are set to sign a pact to safeguard water quality in the Upper Limpopo River Basin and tackle pollution risks and invasive aquatic species. Responsible Luxury Diamonds: Botswana and Angola were admitted to the World Federation of Diamond Bourses, with discussions on sustainability, transparency and responsible sourcing. Botswana’s Conservation Tourism Spotlight: A Botswana safari lodge story highlights memorable wildlife moments, including standout birdlife—an upbeat reminder of what conservation protects.

Transboundary Water Protection: South Africa and Botswana are set to sign a pact to safeguard water quality in the Upper Limpopo River Basin, with joint plans to tackle pollution risks and curb invasive aquatic species that threaten biodiversity and water security. Wildlife Crime Crackdown: Botswana-linked readers will note the wider regional push against trafficking as South Africa’s North West courts handed two pangolin traffickers eight years’ direct imprisonment after a sting operation rescued a live Temminck’s pangolin. Natural Diamonds Under Pressure: Petra Diamonds says weakening luxury demand and lab-grown competition are squeezing the natural diamond market, cutting jobs and restructuring its South African Finsch mine—an economic warning for diamond-dependent economies including Botswana. Botswana Conservation Tourism: A new safari lodge experience highlights how Botswana’s wildlife can surprise visitors, with birdlife stealing the show alongside classic game drives. Responsible Luxury & Diamonds: The World Federation of Diamond Bourses concluded its Gaborone summit, admitting Botswana and Angola as nation-affiliated members and focusing on sustainability, transparency and responsible sourcing. Botswana Tech & Finance: BTC hosted a finance-and-banking engagement on how connectivity and technology can enable more secure, inclusive digital services across Botswana’s financial ecosystem.