The Botswana Entertainment Promoters Association (BEPA) has strongly rejected government claims that the Easter pilot of the 24-hour economy was a success, arguing that the assessment lacks credible data and ignores negative impacts on the creative sector and public safety.
In a statement issued on 14 April 2026, BEPA criticised remarks by Trade and Entrepreneurship Minister Tiroeaone Ntsima, who described the pilot as successful. The association said the declaration was made without verifiable or independently assessed evidence and does not reflect the realities experienced by stakeholders.
“The impact is not marginal. It is an existential threat to the sector,” the statement said, warning that the changes are forcing industry players into informal and unsustainable forms of income.
BEPA said extended bar trading hours from 6pm to 6am have had an immediate and damaging effect on artists, promoters and event organisers. According to the association, patrons are increasingly choosing to remain in bars where entertainment is freely available, rather than attending ticketed events. This shift, it said, is undermining the commercial viability of organised performances and threatening livelihoods across the creative value chain, including musicians, DJs, technical crews and event staff.
“The impact is not marginal. It is an existential threat to the sector,” the statement said, warning that the changes are forcing industry players into informal and unsustainable forms of income.
The association also raised concerns about public safety during the Easter period. It pointed to reports from the Botswana Police Service indicating that violent crime rose by more than 63 percent over the holidays. BEPA argued that presenting the pilot as a success in light of such figures is misleading and overlooks the strain placed on law enforcement and the health system.
Beyond immediate impacts, BEPA criticised the broader concept and implementation of the 24-hour economy. It said a true 24-hour economy should be supported by multiple sectors, including transport, law enforcement, regulatory systems and a protected creative industry, rather than focusing primarily on extended alcohol trading hours.
BEPA has called for the government to publish comprehensive data supporting its claims, suspend further rollout of the current model and engage in structured consultations with affected sectors.
The association further expressed concern over proposed amendments to the Alcohol Act, warning that they could weaken protections for citizen-owned businesses. It argued that local bar operators may face increased competition from larger, often foreign-owned retailers with greater financial capacity, potentially undermining citizen economic participation.
BEPA has called for the government to publish comprehensive data supporting its claims, suspend further rollout of the current model and engage in structured consultations with affected sectors. It also urged the development of a balanced framework that integrates safety, transport and economic inclusion.
“The creative sector remains a vital contributor to Botswana’s economy and cultural identity,” the statement said, adding that policy decisions must be evidence-based and inclusive to ensure sustainable growth.
