Botswana saw the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Lockdowns were implemented between March and May, and restrictions continued throughout the year. The previous year's general election was disputed by the opposition, and several cases were filed to overturn the results. Tensions rose with South Africa in 2020 as Botswana sought the prosecution of Bridgette Radebe. Concerns regarding wildlife conservation increased in 2020 as elephants began dying off in large numbers, as well as similar concerns about vultures. Armed conflicts with poachers continued throughout the year, including the killing of four men in November that caused protests in Namibia.
Incumbents
President: Mokgweetsi Masisi
Vice President: Slumber Tsogwane
Speaker of the National Assembly: Phandu Skelemani
Chief Justice of Botswana: Terence Rannowane
Ongoing
2019–2022 locust infestation
2020–2022 Botswana elephant die offs
Attempts to overturn the 2019 Botswana general election
COVID-19 pandemic in Botswana
White-backed vulture poisonings in Africa
Events
January
January – Botswana receives a 1.4 billion pula loan from the World Bank to fund water supply improvements. 8 January – The Court of Appeal rules that a bid to overturn the 2019 Botswana general election may be heard. 12–24 January – A hearing is held to investigate the derailment of a Botswana Railways passenger train the previous month. 15 January – Louis Vuitton buys the Sewelô diamond. 21 January – President Masisi speaks at a panel in Davos during the World Economic Forum. 29 January – The Court of Appeal dismisses a case to overturn the 2019 Botswana general election.
February
February –
Botswana rejects an application of Zimbabwean political refugees to stay after a High Commission on Refugees decision that Zimbabwe was safe for return. Finestar Diamonds opens a manufacturing factory in Gaborone. Vice President Tsogwane speaks at the reopening of the Phakalane Convention Centre following renovations. 7 February – Botswana auctions hunting licenses to hunt a total of 60 elephants. 12 February – The Gaborone High Court dismisses a challenge against the 2019 election results by Mogalakwe Mogalakwe. 16 February – Miguel da Costa is removed as coach of Jwaneng Galaxy F.C. 18 February – The Gaborone High Court dismisses with costs a challenge against the 2019 election results by Entebetse Boitshwarelo.
March
16 March – The Botswana Football Association suspends its league in response to COVID-19. 20 March – All schools are closed due to worries of the spread of COVID-19. 23 March – Botswana closes its borders following the first COVID-19 fatality in neighbouring Zimbabwe. 25 March– A 78-year-old woman who was suspected of having COVID-19 died in Ramotswa. A few days after her death, the results came back positive making it the fourth case and first death of COVID-19 in the country. 26 March – The government of Botswana establishes a COVID-19 relief fund. 30 March – The first three cases of COVID-19 in the country are confirmed. Health Minister Lemogang Kwape says the three patients are in quarantine and had recently travelled to Britain and Thailand. President Masisi declares a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
April
April – Botswana evacuates its black rhinoceros population from the Okavango Delta amid increased poaching and flooding. 1 April – Botswana Power Corporation raises electricity tariffs by 22 percent. 9 April – President Masisi and the entire Parliament of Botswana go into quarantine after the nurse testing them for COVID-19 is confirmed to have COVID-19. 16 April – President Masisi pardons 149 prisoners to prevent prison overcrowding during the COVID-19 pandemic. 27 April – President Masisi extends the national lockdown from May 1 to May 7. 30 April – The Bank of Botswana reduces interest rates and capital ratios in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
May
15 May – The Confederation of African Football determines that Botswana's failure to attend a 2020 U17 Women's World Cup match in Morocco due to COVID-19 was permissible. 20 May – Botswana's COVID-19 lockdown ends.