The government’s decision to extend operating hours for bars and bottle stores over the festive period, from December 24 to January 4, has reignited debate around the feasibility of a 24-hour economy in Botswana, an initiative authority have said could help diversify the economy and create jobs.
While some businesses reported increased revenues and employment opportunities, others say the move exposed uneven playing fields and resulted in losses.
In Maun, Il Pomodoro bar and restaurant manager Manoj Panicker described the extended hours as a “welcome move,” particularly for establishments operating under restaurant licences. “The licence which I have is a restaurant licence. I can operate it 24 hours. But alcohol consumption was not allowed after 12,” Panicker explained.
He said the relaxation during the festive period allowed patrons to stay in one place rather than moving between venues late at night. “People could just relax in one place instead of travelling while intoxicated to other venues after we closed. That way it was very safe,” he said.
Panicker, however, cautioned against making extended alcohol trading hours a year-round practice. “It’s a welcome move, but it should not be like the whole year. It should be on certain days, certain long holidays,” he said.
From an employment perspective, he said the period created tangible opportunities. “Apart from my regular staff, I employed around 12 girls for a month,” Panicker noted, adding that temporary staff were paid daily and earned additional income through tips. “The overtime was good… towards the end of the month, they got a good package, comparatively,” he said, describing profit margins during the period as “very decent.”
A contrasting picture emerged from The Brand Lifestyle Club, where manager Tshepo Wright said business was “tough” during the festive season, forcing the establishment to close over the holidays. According to Wright, customers opted for bars instead of clubs, undermining expected festive trade. He said the losses meant the business was unable to pay its approximately 30 employees, whose wages were meant to be covered by holiday income.
Wright further raised concerns about compliance, alleging that some establishments operated outside the limits of their licences by selling alcohol beyond permitted hours. He said this practice continued even after the festive season, creating unfair competition. As a result, “we are still facing these challenges,” he said, arguing that uneven enforcement of licensing conditions distorted the intended benefits of extended trading hours.
For informal traders, however, the festive extension translated into brisk business. Seiphomolo Matlho, a local hawker operating near the parking lot opposite Nando’s restaurant, said the longer hours brought customers “in troves.” She explained that people bought food both late at night while celebrating and early in the morning when returning home. According to Matlho, this meant hawkers selling at night and during the day were able to make profits “in a short time” due to increased demand.
Ultimately, Matlho said hawkers welcomed the initiative and hoped it could become more frequent. “Business would flourish,” she said, pointing to the knock-on benefits for small traders who often rely on high-traffic periods to sustain their livelihoods.
The mixed experiences from the festive period highlight both the potential and the pitfalls of extended trading hours as Botswana explores a 24-hour economy. While some businesses saw improved safety, higher earnings and new jobs, others warn that without consistent regulation and sector-specific considerations, the gains may be unevenly distributed.
