Botswana continued to address the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, including the discovery of the COVID-19 variant Omicron BA.4 and BA.5, with COVID-19 restrictions being relaxed in October. Continued disputes took place regarding the Botswana–Namibia border, though an open border was established in September. The rivalry between President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his predecessor Ian Khama escalated in 2022, accelerated by firearms charges against Khama and a warrant for his arrest. The government also saw controversy for its support of bills that would grant it additional espionage powers and regulate journalists.
3–12 January – President Masisi goes into isolation after testing positive for asymptomatic COVID-19.[1]
11 January – South African singer Makhadzi announces a one-woman show in Botswana with proceeds going to the country, prompting controversy in her home province of Limpopo.[2]
12 January – Botswana Diamonds reports that kimberlite found in its South African Thorny River project exceeds expectations, causing its stock to rise by 19%.[3]
18 January – The government of Botswana begins distributing COVID-19 booster vaccines.[4]
21 March – Tshekedi Khama II and Anthony Khama, brothers of former president Ian Khama, are arrested by the Directorate of Intelligence Service, intensifying the rivalry between former President Khama and incumbent President Masisi.[13] Keabetswe Makgophe, Commissioner of the Botswana Police Service, is also arrested.[14]
A court refuses a request to let a deceased man be buried in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.[16] His body will be held in the funeral parlour indefinitely as the dispute continues.[17]
Botswana Diamonds begins drilling at the Thorny River project.[29]
12 July – Runner Nijel Amos is suspended from world championship events after a drug test returns positive.[30]
August
August
Caprivi Concerned Group brings President Masisi and Defence Chief Placid Segokgo to the International Criminal Court regarding the killings of four Namibian men on the Botswana–Namibia border.[31]
3 August – Botswana's value-added tax is temporarily decreased from 14% to 12%.[33]
September
September – Parliament authorises the creation of a statutory media board to regulate journalists.[34]
9 September – The Botswana–Namibia border becomes an open border.[35]
October
October – Botswana and Namibia come to an agreement on the extradition of prisoners.[36]
18 October – Botswana removes its COVID-19 restrictions for international travellers.[37]
24–26 October – The 2022 African Tourism Leadership Forum is held in Gaborone.[38]
31 October – Tsodilo Resources files a lawsuit against the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology, and Energy Security in a dispute over license renewal.[39]
November
3 November – The main generation unit of the Botswana Power Corporation fails, prompting national energy supply cuts.[40]
4 November – President Masisi receives Saudi adviser Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Qattan in Gaborone.[41]
11 November – Orange S.A. launches a 5G network in Botswana, the first such network in Africa.[42]
