Botswana, once widely recognized for its robust efforts against corruption and its status as one of Africa's least corrupt nations, is currently facing a significant challenge to this esteemed reputation. Recent developments indicate a concerning decline in its global anti-corruption standing, prompting urgent calls for substantial reforms.

A primary point of contention and a key proposed solution revolves around granting full autonomy and enhanced prosecutorial powers to the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC). Proponents argue that such measures are critical to empower the institution to effectively combat the rising tide of corruption.

The seriousness of the situation has been openly acknowledged by the government itself. Minister for State President, Moeti Mohwasa, speaking at the 2025 International Anti-Corruption Day commemoration in Gaborone, candidly admitted that corruption is actively weakening the nation's institutions, exacerbating inequality among its citizens, and severely eroding public trust. Minister Mohwasa further conceded that Botswana's international standing in the fight against corruption has indeed deteriorated in recent years.

Despite this grim assessment, the government has expressed a firm determination to reverse this negative trend. Mohwasa emphasized that the administration is committed to implementing structural reforms aimed at bolstering anti-corruption measures and restoring Botswana's once-celebrated reputation for integrity. The focus now is on translating these commitments into concrete actions to address the deep-rooted issues contributing to the decline.