SACU Push for Integration: Botswana’s President Duma Boko used the 9th SACU summit to stress that no country can prosper alone, backing deeper trade ties, customs simplification and a stronger industrial push as Botswana takes the rotating SACU chairmanship in July. Regional Development Fund: SACU leaders agreed to set up a new R5 billion regional development fund to back bloc projects, while also urging a 15-year AGOA extension to protect market access for Southern African exports. SADC UniVisa Progress: Botswana’s tourism minister says the SADC UniVisa is edging closer to approval, aiming to make travel across the region easier with a single visa, building on the smaller Kavango-Zambezi UniVisa model. Refugee Rights in Focus: Botswana granted citizenship to 64 refugees at Dukwi Refugee Settlement, with officials highlighting skills and work opportunities as the next step after years in limbo. Transport Policy Tension: Botswana taxi operators warn they may surrender licences if new rules are seen to favour e-hailing platforms, escalating a fight over how digital transport should be regulated. Democracy Watch: Freedom House’s Freedom in the World 2026 report praises Botswana’s electoral democracy but flags ongoing weaknesses in media freedom, transparency and minority rights. Diamond Industry Signal: De Beers CEO Al Cook says the long-running sale process is nearing completion, with Botswana’s push to increase its stake beyond 15% gaining fresh attention. Local Economy & Skills: Botswana’s National Fodder Production Strategy targets adding one million tonnes of fodder annually by 2030 to cut feed shortages and strengthen livestock and rural livelihoods.