Botswana continued to address the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, beginning its vaccination process through the importation of vaccines. On November 11, Botswana was the location of the first documented case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. 2021 also saw the discovery of two diamonds in Botswana that exceeded 1000 carats, becoming the third and fourth largest diamonds ever discovered. In relations with its neighbouring countries, Botswana continued to address violence at the Botswana–Namibia border, and it entered into the conflict in Cabo Delgado in support of the government of Mozambique.
12 January – Debswana terminates its US$1.3 billion contract with Thiess.[2]
25 January – The statutory rape trial of Member of Parliament Polson Majaga begins.[3]
28 January – Clicks Group announces the closure of all remaining Musica locations.[4]
29 January – COVID-19 pandemic: Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture DevelopmentTumiso Rakgare announces a temporary end to contact sport in Botswana.[5]
February
22 February – The Bank of Botswana updates its 10 pula note with the portrait of President Masisi after a three year delay.[6]
February – Botswana gives reprieve to Zimbabwean refugees enrolled in higher education courses.[7]
19 April – Access Bank Group agrees to purchase a majority stake in African Banking Corporation of Botswana.[18]
27 April –
COVID-19 pandemic: Botswana announces that it has imported enough COVID-19 vaccines to immunise every adult in the country.[19]
COVID-19 pandemic: President Masisi goes into self-quarantine, prompting the postponment of a meeting of the leaders of Southern Africa to address the insurgency in Cabo Delgado.[20]
Botswana and Zambia sign a bilateral agreement to facilitate travel between the countries on the Kazungula Bridge.[21]
May
May – The Botswana Athletics Association holds the National Athletics Championships in Botswana, hosting for several Southern African countries.[22]
21 May – The Botswana High Court rules that the Ba-Ga-Malete Tribe is entitled to the land of Forest Hill, Botswana.[24]
26 May – COVID-19 pandemic: Minister of HealthEdwin Dikoloti announces government support for any business that produces equipment to assist in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.[25]
June
June – The Central Tuli Game Reserve becomes the first nature reserve in Botswana to use Smart Parks sensor systems to track wildlife.[26]
2 June – NMG Benefits is appointed as the manager of the Botswana's Public Officers Pension Fund.[27]
8 June – Botswana grants a three year media contract to Steve Harvey, prompting backlash from local media.[29]
16 June – A 1,098-carat diamondis presented to Botswana government after being discovered at the Jwaneng diamond mine, becoming the third largest diamond ever discovered.[30]
5 July – Botswana authorises Shumba Energy to create the country's first large scale solar plant.[32]
7 July – A 1,174-carat diamond is presented to Botswana government after being discovered at the Karowe diamond mine, becoming the third largest diamond ever discovered.[33]
13 July – Botswana begins work on its first iron-ore mine.[34]
16 July – COVID-19 pandemic: Schools in Botswana are closed for one month in response to COVID-19 outbreaks.[35]
26 July – Botswana sends 296 soldiers to Mozambique to fight the insurgency in Cabo Delgado.[36]
30 July – Khoemacau Copper Mine is officially opened.[37]
August
August –
Boyce Sebetela is appointed by President Masisi as the first Chief of Staff.[38]
Okwa Diamonds agrees to purchase the Ghaghoo diamond mine from Botswana Diamonds for US$4 million.[39]
23 August – Intelligence agent Welheminah Mphoeng Maswabi is acquitted on charges of conspiring to effect regime change.[40]
27 August – COVID-19 pandemic: Botswana guarantees that undocumented immigrants and refugees will be allowed COVID-19 vaccines.[41]
September
2–3 September – The foreign ministers of Botswana and Namibia meet to address violence along the Botswana–Namibia border.
6 September – COVID-19 pandemic: Botswana ends some of its pandemic restrictions on the sale of alcohol and public gatherings.[42]
7 September – Dickey's Barbecue Pit enters into an agreement to open eight locations in Botswana.[43]
28 September – Minister of Minerals and EnergyLefoko Moagi announces the sale of BCL copper mine to Canadian mining company Premium Nickel Resources.[47]