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1. Multidimensional Energy Poverty for Botswana: Does gender matter?

Author:
Thabile A. Samboma, Khaufelo R. Lekobane, and Koketso Molefhi
Publication Date:
09-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
The energy-gender nexus is a topical issue that has gained traction among researchers and policymakers. Access to clean energy and gender equality are two of the most crucial sustainable development goals (SDGs) that affect households directly. Notwithstanding this, the gendered analysis of multidimensional energy poverty has been minimal in the empirical literature. Using the 2015/16 Botswana multi-topic household survey, this study investigates the gendered dimensions of energy poverty in Botswana, emphasising the disparities in energy access and affordability between male and female-headed households. We employed the Alkire-Foster (AF) methodology to compute our aggregate multidimensional energy poverty index (MEPI). Overall, we find that in Botswana, the gender gaps in multidimensional energy poverty levels are more than 10% for the poverty incidence and adjusted headcount ratio. This suggests that energy poverty in Botswana seems to be feminised. However, the gender gap in the intensity of multidimensional energy poverty is lower than 3% in favour of femaleheaded households. Finally, substantial gender gaps exist across household demographic characteristics, human capital, economic variables, and geography. The findings suggest that while Botswana has made significant progress in promoting renewable energy access through initiatives such as the Photovoltaic Rural Electrification Programme, gender-specific barriers remain. The study recommends enhanced policies that integrate gender considerations to foster equitable energy solutions, ensuring that all households, irrespective of the gender of the household head, can thrive in a sustainable and energysecure environment.
Topic:
Poverty, Sustainable Development Goals, Energy, and Gender Equality
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

2. Tobacco Control in Botswana: Effectiveness of Tax Changes in Reducing Tobacco Demand

Author:
Tshepiso Gaetsewe and Goitseone Khanie
Publication Date:
06-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
Botswana has one of the highest adult tobacco-use rates in the WHO African Region. Despite measures and policies put in place to control tobacco consumption, there is still a widespread use of tobacco products in the country. This is because demand for tobacco and tobacco products is mostly affected by changes in tobacco prices and related taxes. This study therefore seeks to analyse the responsiveness of cigarette demand to price changes in Botswana. This is done by estimating the conditional price elasticity of cigarette demand using Deaton’s model and the Botswana Multi-Topic Household Survey (BMTHS) data of 2015/16. The cigarette price elasticity of demand in Botswana is estimated to be -0.86. The results indicate that a 10% increase in the price of cigarettes will reduce cigarette demand by 8.6% among smokers. These findings provide the first scientific evidence of conditional elasticity on consumption for policymakers in Botswana. These findings are expected to guide policymakers and those involved in tobacco control in formulating the most effective policies for regulating and controlling the consumption of tobacco in Botswana.
Topic:
Tax Systems, Tobacco, and Price Elasticity
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

3. Enhancing Social Protection Amidst Fiscal Constraints: The Botswana 2025/26 Budget

Author:
Lillian Mookodi
Publication Date:
07-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
Botswana has long demonstrated a strong commitment to social protection, with established programmes to support vulnerable populations, reduce poverty, and promote social cohesion. Over the years, these initiatives have played a pivotal role in improving livelihoods and fostering economic inclusion, and reflecting the country’s dedication to inclusive development and social welfare. The 2025/26 budget builds on this legacy by introducing new programmes to improve financial security, child welfare, and housing. These key measures signal Botswana’s strategic shift towards a more inclusive and efficient social protection system, but their long-term success depends on effective implementation, fiscal sustainability, and continuous programme evaluation to ensure delivery of meaningful impact to those who need them most.
Topic:
Poverty, Budget, Sustainable Development, and Social Protection
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

4. Budgeting for Effective Anti-Corruption Initiatives in Botswana

Author:
Marumo Omotoye
Publication Date:
07-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
Corruption remains a significant challenge to governance and economic development in Botswana. To tackle this issue, strategic budgeting is essential to ensure that anti-corruption agencies, such as the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime, Office of the Auditor General, Financial Intelligence Agency, and Ethics and Integrity Directorate, have the necessary resources to operate independently and efficiently. This Budget Brief examines how enhancing accountability and transparency in budgeting can improve the effectiveness of Botswana’s anti-corruption initiatives. Its thematic focus is on Phase 1 (Halting the financial haemorrhaging in Government) of the Government of Botswana’s strategy to build an inclusive economy.
Topic:
Corruption, Governance, Economic Development, and Budgeting
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

5. Left Behind or Forgotten? The Case of Children With Disabilities: A Multidimensional Poverty Approach

Author:
Khaufelo R. Lekobane and Thabile A. Samboma
Publication Date:
02-2024
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognises the importance of multidimensional poverty and disability. Using the 2015/16 Botswana multi-topic household survey, this policy brief examined the link between childhood disability and multidimensional child poverty in Botswana¹. We employed the conceptual framing of the Leaving No One Behind principle, capability and human rights-based approaches to define multidimensional child poverty and child disability. The following are key highlights of this policy brief. Children with disabilities are particularly deprived of basic capabilities (education and health). On average, children with disabilities, as a group, experience multiple deprivations at higher rates and in higher breath, depth, and severity than children with no disabilities. Children with disabilities have higher multidimensional poverty levels than their nondisabled peers across demographic, economic, and geographical divides. Multidimensional child poverty levels vary across the type of functional disabilities and across the number of functional disabilities experienced by children.
Topic:
Health, Poverty, Children, Disability, and Sustainable Development
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

6. Factors Influencing the Probability of Being Left Behind: A Multidimensional Poverty Approach for Botswana

Author:
Khaufelo R. Lekobane
Publication Date:
07-2024
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
The Leave No One Behind principle is an important dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It recognises data disaggregation as a vital tool to identify the multidimensionally poor (those left behind). Using the 2015/16 Botswana Multi-Topic Household Survey, we investigate factors influencing the probability of being left behind. We define those left behind as the multidimensionally poor. We employed the multidimensional poverty measure to identify those left behind. Our study uses several econometric estimation techniques, such as Tobit, quantile regression and OLS regression models, in addition to the binary logit model commonly used in the empirical literature. The results reveal that an individual’s age, disability status, citizenship, sex of household head, marital status, education, employment status of household head, household wealth status and place of residence are significant factors influencing the probability of being left behind (multidimensionally poor). Policymakers should design context-specific, action-oriented and nationally appropriate policies and programmes that consider factors influencing the probability of being left behind and promote sustainable and inclusive development.
Topic:
Poverty, Sustainable Development Goals, and Regression Analysis
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

7. Factors Influencing the Probability of Being Left Behind: A Multidimensional Poverty Approach for Botswana

Author:
Khaufelo R. Lekobane
Publication Date:
07-2024
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
The Leave No One Behind principle is an important dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It recognises data disaggregation as a vital tool to identify the multidimensionally poor (those left behind). Using the 2015/16 Botswana Multi-Topic Household Survey, we investigate factors influencing the probability of being left behind. We define those left behind as the multidimensionally poor. We employed the multidimensional poverty measure to identify those left behind. Our study uses several econometric estimation techniques, such as Tobit, quantile regression and OLS regression models, in addition to the binary logit model commonly used in the empirical literature. The results reveal that an individual’s age, disability status, citizenship, sex of household head, marital status, education, employment status of household head, household wealth status and place of residence are significant factors influencing the probability of being left behind (multidimensionally poor). Policymakers should design context-specific, action-oriented and nationally appropriate policies and programmes that consider factors influencing the probability of being left behind and promote sustainable and inclusive development.
Topic:
Poverty, Sustainable Development Goals, and Regression Analysis
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

8. Children with disabilities: Left behind or forgotten? Empirical evidence from Botswana using multidimensional poverty measures

Author:
Khaufelo R. Lekobane and Thabile A. Samboma
Publication Date:
10-2023
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognises of the importance multidimensional poverty and disability. Although there is compelling evidence suggesting that people with disabilities have a higher probability of being poor, studies that compare children with disabilities with their non-disabled peers remain scarce and limited to developed countries. Using the 2015/16 Botswana multi-topic household survey, we examined the link between childhood disability and multidimensional child poverty in Botswana. The study employs the conceptual framing of the capability and human rights-based approaches. Results reveal significant disparities in poverty levels between children with disabilities and their non-disabled peers across demographic, economic and geographical variables, with children living with disability experiencing higher poverty levels than their non-disabled counterparts. We, therefore, argue that deliberate efforts should be put in place for children with disabilities to have equal opportunities to catch up with the rest of the children in order not to be left behind. The paper further provides policy implications for childhood disability and multidimensional child poverty research in Botswana.
Topic:
Sustainable Development Goals, Child Poverty, and Disability
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

9. Child Sexual Abuse in Botswana: An Evaluation of The Effectiveness of Child Protection Institutions in selected villages

Author:
Thabile A. Samboma
Publication Date:
11-2022
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) in Botswana is a big social problem with proven lifelong effects on the victims. Botswana has established various child protection institutions (CPI) and amended children’s protection laws to ensure that children are safe from all harm. However, despite this development, Botswana CSA cases are still rising. This study provides the first attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of child protection institutions in Botswana. A case study method was used in Old Naledi and Letlhakeng through an indepth interview with twenty-two (22) participants. The findings of the study revealed that there is;(i) the absence of a national child strategy, (ii) poor coordination of child protection institutions, (iii) weak child legislation framework, (iv) lack of capacity, (v) inadequately financed child protection, (vi) lack of systematic data collection, (vii) lack of evidence-based research, (viii) Decline of family structure and (iv) lack of public awareness. All these combined hinder the effectiveness of child protection institutions in Botswana. The study recommends as follows: reviewing the Children’s Act of 2009, developing a national child protection strategy, strengthening coordination of CPI, increasing resource allocation, creating a centralised database on CSA and strengthening evidence-based research on CSA in Botswana.
Topic:
Children, Institutions, Protection, and Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

10. Understanding the Firm-Level Export Diversification Characteristics in Botswana

Author:
Pinkie Gertrude Kebakile
Publication Date:
01-2022
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
This Policy Brief unravels interesting insights pertaining to firm-level export diversification characteristics in Botswana, which is an approach that views export diversification at the micro-level. The following are the key highlights from the Policy Brief: • Exporters whose export portfolios are varied in terms of products and export markets, commonly referred to as multi-product multi-destination exporters in the literature fetch high export values, which is a prerequisite for sustained economic growth in the country. • The growth and diversification of Botswana’s export bundle is undermined by the exporters’ inability to break into new export markets. • The main policy message is therefore that to transition from the upper-middle income status to high-income status by 2036, the country needs to nurture and develop the multi-product multi-destination exporters. Targeted interventions aimed at developing these exporters are therefore called for.
Topic:
Business, Economic Growth, Diversification, Exports, and Trade
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana