Botswana’s creative community is feeling the strain as delays in government funding threaten to derail vital arts programs and projects. The National Arts Council of Botswana (NACB) confirmed that subvention funds have been received months behind schedule, disrupting its ability to issue grants and support the country’s growing arts sector.
Kutlwano Monnamoncho, NACB’s marketing and communications manager, told The Business Weekly & Review that artists are bearing the brunt of the delays. “The timing of the cuts has made it difficult to sustain ongoing programs and maintain momentum within the arts sector,” he said.
In the first and second quarters of the financial year, NACB subvention funds arrived late, while third-quarter allocations remain pending. The 2025–2026 Arts and Culture Grant, a critical source of funding for many local artists, has also not been disbursed. The council’s annual grant call, typically announced each May, has been postponed indefinitely as NACB awaits confirmation from its parent ministry.
Monnamoncho said NACB became aware of the funding reductions in September 2025, noting the delays have had a ripple effect on major national events. “This has had direct implications on the National Arts Festival. While regional festivals and a carnival were planned to conclude the 2025 edition, these activities, along with the Arts and Culture Grant, will also face delays due to the current funding challenges,” he said.
He also highlighted operational difficulties, including artists submitting documentation late—or not at all—which creates payment challenges for unbanked artists. Some have requested payment via mobile money services.
In a press release, NACB explained that government financial constraints and liquidity challenges have affected the council, resulting in significantly reduced subvention funds intended to support key programs.
Monnamoncho said the delays are affecting a significant number of artists who won at the constituency stage of the National Arts Festival 2025. These artists were scheduled to participate in regional festivals and the carnival. Prize money and pending payments were processed for only about half of the festival participants, but NACB confirmed that work is ongoing. Over 600 prizes are being processed, and a majority have been disbursed to date.
“Suppliers and service providers will also be affected,” Monnamoncho said. “Events of this magnitude engage a wide variety of providers. Local communities and small businesses benefit immensely, and the value chain of such events reaches many members of the community.”
At a recent panel discussion during the Botswana Global Expo on the creative economy, a speaker emphasized that creatives should not expect funds to simply appear. “You must put in the work and effort, and the funds will follow,” the speaker said.
Despite the setbacks, NACB remains hopeful. In a statement to The Business Weekly and Review, the council expressed confidence that national leadership is working to stabilize the government’s finances and resolve the delays. For now, however, Botswana’s arts community remains in a holding pattern, awaiting the funds that sustain their creativity.
