Economy
Nominal GDP
USD 19.5 billion
GDP per capita
USD 7,878
2021–2025 average
Currency
- Name
- Botswana pula
Ботсванская пула - ISO code
- BWP
- Rate against the US dollar
- USD 1 = 14.12 BWP
- Rate against the rouble
- 1 BWP = 5.9198 RUB
- Rate type
- Cross rate via the Bank of Russia USD/RUB rate
- Currency zone
- National currency
Exchange rate as of 1 October 2026
Economic structure
GDP structure: 2021–2025 average Source: Based on World Bank data. Period: 2021–2025 average
- Agriculture 1.7%
- Industry 32.3%
- Services 60.8%
Industries and programmes
- Key industries
- Diamond mining and cutting (substantial involvement by the government and De Beers), copper mining (Kalahari Copperbelt), tourism, livestock farming (beef), and financial services.
- Government programmes
- Vision 2036
- 12th National Development Plan
- Botswana Economic Transformation Program (BETP)
- Diversification programs “beyond diamonds”
- Botswana National Renewable Energy and Energy Sector Plan
International trade
Exports of goods, 2021–2025
USD billion Source: World Bank / WTO, merchandise exports (TX.VAL.MRCH.CD.WT). Period: 2021–2025
Table
| Year | USD billion | index, 2021 = 100 |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7.42 | 100.0 |
| 2022 | 8.33 | 112.3 |
| 2023 | 5.76 | 77.6 |
| 2024 | 4.67 | 62.9 |
| 2025 | 5.12 | 69.0 |
- Imports of goods
- USD 7.24 billion 2021–2025 averageSource: ITC. Period: 2021–2025 average
- Exports of goods and services
- USD 6.38 billion 2025Source: World Bank, national accounts. Period: 2025
- Change in exports of goods, 2021–2025
- −31.0%
- Average annual rate of change in exports of goods, 2021–2025
- −8.9%
Export specialisation
Main export products
share of exports of goods, %, 2023 Source: UN Comtrade, 2023; share of total merchandise exports, HS chapters (2 digits). Period: 2023
Main export destinations
share of exports of goods, %, 2023 Source: UN Comtrade, 2023; share of total merchandise exports, HS chapters (2 digits). Period: 2023
Investment areas
- Copper and manganese mining
- Diamond cutting and trading
- Solar energy
- Meat processing
- Tourism
- Financial and logistics services for SADC
Agreements with Russia
Investment protection
There is no bilateral agreement with Russia on the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments.
Absent
Double taxation
Agreement (Convention) on the avoidance of double taxation: signed 8 April 2003; in force since 23 December 2009
In force
Visa requirements
for Russian citizens holding ordinary passports: visa-free, up to 30 days (no more than 90 days within 180 days) — agreement dated 6 June 2019
Visa-free
Peaceful nuclear energy
No information
Other agreements
- Agreement on the Mutual Waiver of Visa Requirements (6 June 2019): visa-free entry for up to 30 days.
- Agreement on Military-Technical Cooperation (2013).
- Agreement on Defense Cooperation (2018).
- Agreement on visa-free travel on diplomatic and service passports (2005).
- Agreement on Cooperation in Culture, Science and Education (1999).
Incentives
- Main regimes and incentives
Reduced corporate income tax rate for manufacturing, special economic zone regimes (5% corporate income tax for the first 10 years, then 10%), accelerated depreciation, and co-financing programs.
- Type of measure
- Investment agency
- BITC — Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (Botswana Investment and Trade Centre)
- Zone operator / authority
- SEZA — Special Economic Zones Authority
