Botswana
Republic of Botswana
English and Setswana
Currency BWP
Mixed law
SADC • AfCFTA
Southern Africa market known for strong institutions, diamond value chain, wildlife tourism and a rules based policy mix. Current priority is economic diversification, logistics and solar buildout, with steady macro management through a crawling peg exchange rate and an independent central bank.
Overview
Botswana pairs prudent macro policy with investment friendly regulation. Diamonds remain the anchor, while non mining growth leans on tourism, logistics, beef, services and clean energy. Business setup is digital first through the CIPA OBRS and tax e services via BURS. The pula follows a crawling peg framework to support competitiveness.
Snapshot
Population
~2.52 M 2024
World Bank
GDP current USD
~$20 B 2024 est.
IMF WEO 2025 and WDI
GDP per Capita
~$7.7 K 2024
World Bank FRED
Inflation y over y
~1.1% Jul 2025
Statistics Botswana
Policy Rate
1.90% Aug 2025
Bank of Botswana and Reuters
Internet Use
~81% 2023
World Bank WDI
Electrification
~76% 2023
World Bank WDI
Market Note
BSE equities and bonds
Botswana Stock Exchange
Focus Sectors
Diamonds and Mining
Tourism and Okavango
Beef and Agribusiness
Solar and Power
Logistics and Corridors
Construction and Materials
ICT and Data
Financial Services
Manufacturing light
Water and Utilities
Education
Health
Trade
Top Export Partners 2023
- United Arab Emirates~27%
- Belgium~19%
- India~15%
- South Africa~10%
- Hong Kong SAR~7%
WITS 2023
Top Export Goods
Diamonds
Copper ores
Insulated wiring sets
UN Comtrade and OEC 2023
Top Import Partners 2023
- South Africa~63%
- Namibia~7%
- Belgium~6%
- India~4%
- Canada~4%
WITS 2023
Top Import Goods 2023
- Refined petroleum~$1.35 B
- Diamonds and stonesvarious lines
- Electrical energy~$0.10 B
- Vehiclescars and trucks
OEC and UN Comtrade 2023
Finance and Capital Markets
Currency and Policy
- CurrencyBotswana pula BWP
- Monetary policy rate1.90% recent
- FX frameworkCrawling peg to a basket with SDR and ZAR
Bank of Botswana and IMF and Reuters
Markets
- ExchangeBotswana Stock Exchange
- Listing focusEquities and government and corporate bonds
BSE
Regulations and Taxes
Start a Business
- Name check and register online — CIPA OBRS
- Obtain tax number and register for e services — BURS
- Open bank account and deposit capital
- Apply licenses as needed — BOSSC one stop
CIPA and BURS and BITC BOSSC
Key Taxes
- Corporate Income Tax22% headline
- VAT standard14%
- WHT dividends10% non resident
- WHT interest15% non resident
PwC WWTS 2025
Talent
Median Age
~24 yrs
UN estimates
Adult Literacy
~88%
World Bank series
Tertiary Enrolment
~24% gross
World Bank UIS
Language
English official and Setswana national
Gov BW
Policy
- AfCFTARatified and implementation ongoing
- SEZs and facilitationBOSSC investor services
- FX policyCrawling peg with announced crawl
Gov and IMF and BoB
Risks
- Diamond dependenceExposure to global jewelry cycles
- Drought and powerHydrology and import reliance
- LogisticsLandlocked distance to ports
IMF and Reuters
Resources
CIPA OBRS
BURS e services
BITC BOSSC
Bank of Botswana
Botswana Stock Exchange
WITS trade snapshot
OEC profile
Links open in a new tab.
Data Notes
Population, electrification and internet users from World Bank indicators. GDP and GDP per head from WDI and IMF WEO. Inflation latest month from Statistics Botswana. Policy rate and FX framework from Bank of Botswana and Reuters. Trade partners and goods from WITS and OEC. Tax rates from PwC WWTS.