For citizens of Botswana, 2025 was a year of economic struggle and a fragile hope.
With significant downturns quarter after quarter and a collapsing currency, Botswana experienced the worst economic challenges.
Amidst all the economic challenges promulgated by the weak diamond sales on the international market, hope was hard to find for many Batswana.
Even in his Christmas and New Year message, President Duma Boko acknowledged that the year 2025 was a challenging one for the once diamond-rich nation.
"It does not mean that we did not have challenges this year. But we cannot fail to celebrate Christmas due to economic challenges. Everything has got its own time. Let us celebrate this Christmas and thank the Almighty God for the gift of his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Celebrating the birth of Christ gives us faith, hope, and courage ahead of the coming season."
For those in the informal business sector, such as Laone Osupile, a makeup artist in Francistown, Botswana's second-largest city, 2025 was equally tough.
"2025 was tough for businesses due to the country's dire financial crisis. The economic recession has affected Batswana at large. If there is no money circulation, then it is difficult for people to have disposable funds for luxury items like makeup, manicures, and pedicures. This year was a year of operating on a shoestring budget."
Youth Mmereki Ramontsho, who survives on touting at the Francistown Bus Rank, is betting on President Boko's brainpower to turn the country's economic fortunes through employment creation for the youth.
"I am hoping that, given the chance, I can fulfil the promises. Our new president is a man who is showing us that he is so intelligent in such a way that we have something related to promise. He is a man who can change the world."
Based on the preliminary figures for October, November, and December, Botswana appears to be emerging from the recession.
Statistics Botswana indicated in their yet-to-be-ascertained latest figures that the economy of the country advanced by 8.2% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2025, rebounding from a revised 5.2% decline in the previous three-month period.