Obtaining a business permit for Botswana is a complex process with little information available in terms of the requirements. However, as an investment destination Botswana can lay claim to many good reasons for investing and/or setting up a business and obtaining a business permit.
- The annual World Bank/IFC Doing Business report listed Botswana as 52nd out of 183 countries globally. This makes it 3rd in Africa behind South Africa (ranked 34) and Mauritius (ranked 20).
- Botswana has enjoyed one of the fastest growth rates in per capita income in the world since independence.
- Botswana was ranked 33rd overall by Transparency International
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in 2010 and as Africa’s least corrupt country placing it ahead of many European and Asian countries.
- Botswana has launched initiatives to promote economic activity and foreign investment into specific areas. These include agriculture, innovation, diamonds, education, health and transport.
- There are no foreign exchange controls.
- There are low corporate tax rates; for example, 15% for manufacturing enterprises.
- Botswana is actively seeking to diversify the economy away from diamonds into goods such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, clothing, and leather products, as well as services such as tourism, financial products, business process outsourcing, and research.
Requirements for a business permit for investors
- The appropriate business permit investor application forms;
- The company share certificate;
- List of Directors;
- The Certificate of Incorporation;
- A Copy of the appropriate business license;
- 2 passport photographs of the applicant;
- A Curriculum Vitae for the applicant;
- Certified Copies of educational certificates;
- A certified copy of the detail page of the applicant’s passport.
Business licensing
When applying for a business permit to invest into Botswana it is highly likely you will need to obtain a business licence for your business to operate. Obtaining such a licence will mean the local authority – City or Town Council – inspecting the business premises and verifying its suitability and health conditions specific to your company activity, as well producing the relevant business registration papers.
* Business licensing can only take place after you have set up the appropriate business structure.
Setting up a business
Business permit applicants should be aware there are 3 options for setting up a business in Botswana.
- Company – It is its own a legal entity separate from that of its members with some legal powers to sue, or be sued, own property and make contracts.
- Business name – The owner is not separate from the business itself. This has less registration requirements compared to a company.
- A cooperative society – An autonomous association of persons who voluntarily come together to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise.
Other business requirements
- Registration for Corporate Income Tax with the Botswana United Revenue Services and obtaining the approval from the Commissioner of Taxes for the appointment of a public officer who is in charge of the tax return.
- Register for VAT with Director of Customs & Excise.
- Register employees for the work injury insurance.
Further assistance
Intergate Immigration and its representatives have assisted hundreds of businesses to set up operations in Africa. Whether you are a small enterprise or a large corporation looking to establish a presence in Botswana we are able to assist with:
- Business permit applications;
- Investing in Botswana;
- Company name registrations;
- Business structures, registration and licensing processes;
Simply call us on + 27 (0) 21 424 2460 or choose from one of the below options:
Request a call back to discuss your business permit and investment needs
Complete our business permit assessment form
Email your business permit or investment query to us
