Botswana Lifts Student Allowances to P2,200 and Hands Over 567 Bonno Homes, Boko Says

GABORONE, Botswana – President Duma Boko said tertiary student allowances have risen to 2,200 pula, with a stated aim of 2,500 pula, while the Bonno housing programme has completed 567 of 1,366 units under construction. He also reported progress on public-service insourcing.

Key takeaways

• Student allowances: tertiary raised “from 1,900 to 2,200”; TVET allowances rose “from 300 pula to 1,900 initially and then raised to 2,200,” Boko said, with government aiming for 2,500 (Parliament video).
• Bonno: construction of 1,366 units; “567 have been completed and handed over” at Palapye, Tsabong, Mabutsane, Rakops, Nata, Phakalane and Block 7.
• Insourcing: programme launched 1 April 2026; “projected to absorb 9,380 Batswana”; “4,366 eligible temporary employees have been absorbed into permanent positions.”

Student allowances

“In April this year, government increased the tertiary student allowance from 1,900 to 2,200 for others. And in specific reference to vocational education and training students, the allowance was increased from 300 pula to 1,900 initially and then raised to 2,200,” Boko said. “And government aims to deliver on its promise to pay a 2,500 pula student allowance.”

𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗦

The work to increase student allowances has begun. Re tsamaela gone koo!

, Duma Gideon Boko (@duma_boko) November 9, 2026

Bonno housing

“We are now turning to Bonno housing programme which has moved from policy to delivery with new homes already occupied by families. The project commenced earlier this year with construction of 1,366 housing units. To date, a total of 567 have been completed and handed over for beneficial use at Palapye, Tsabong, Mabutsane, Rakops, Nata, Phakalane and Block 7,” Boko said.

Public-service insourcing

“In keeping with our commitment to decent work and employment security government launched the Public Service Insourcing Programme on the 1st of April 2026. I can report with delight that this initiative is projected to absorb 9,380 Batswana into jobs that pay better. Already 4,366 eligible temporary employees have been absorbed into permanent positions.”

These are delivery statistics from the speech, not independent audited housing or payroll reports. The remaining Bonno units, the final 2,500 allowance target and the balance of insourcing places are still government targets.

Monday’s mineral-ownership announcement is covered in Brimco’s De Beers stake story.

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