Botswana is preparing to enter the citizenship by investment (CBI) market with a proposed “golden passport” initiative that would grant citizenship to foreign nationals in return for a one-off financial contribution. The program still requires legislative amendments and is part of a broader effort to diversify state revenue amid rising fiscal pressure from a slowdown in international diamond markets.
If implemented, the scheme would place Botswana among a growing number of states that use CBI programs to attract investment. The proposal comes at a time of heightened international scrutiny of existing CBI programs, particularly in the Caribbean, and follows a 2025 ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union that struck down Malta’s investor citizenship scheme after a legal dispute with the European Commission.
Economic Context and Country Profile
Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered by South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. Covering a territory slightly larger than France, it has a relatively small population of around 2.5 million people. For decades, Botswana has been regarded as one of Africa’s most stable and well-governed economies.
Much of Botswana’s economic success has been built on diamond production, but its economy has contracted in real terms, with GDP falling to $19.4 billion in 2024. The International Monetary Fund forecasts a further decline, largely due to weaker international demand for natural diamonds.
These pressures have prompted the government to explore alternative funding mechanisms. The proposed CBI program is being considered as one such option. It aims to generate capital without increasing public debt and to support broader economic and social objectives under President Duma Boko’s administration, which took office in 2024 on pledges of job creation and economic reform.
Key Features Under Consideration
Based on publicly available information and industry reporting, Botswana’s proposed CBI program would initially operate through a non-refundable contribution model, rather than through real estate or business investment routes. The minimum contribution has been set at $75,000, with some sources citing amounts up to $90,000–100,000, depending on the application structure.
Applications are expected to open in early 2026, subject to legislative approval. Authorities have indicated that the program will be quota-based, limiting the total number of citizenships issued each year. The government’s long-term aim is reportedly to attract up to 5,000 families over five years, potentially generating around $500 million in inflows.
The official information portal for the program is www.botswanacitizenship.com. The program is being developed with support from Arton Capital, a private company with extensive experience in the residency and citizenship by investment (RCBI) industry.
A key prerequisite for launching the program is the amendment of Botswana’s citizenship laws. Currently, the country does not generally allow dual or multiple citizenship. Proposed legislative changes are under parliamentary review to permit new citizens to retain their existing nationality, which is a standard requirement for most CBI programs. Debate on these amendments is expected in early 2026. Until the legal framework is finalized, the program remains prospective rather than operational.
Officials and program advisers have publicly discussed a target processing timeframe of approximately 60 days, which would position Botswana among the faster jurisdictions in the CBI market. However, this timeline remains aspirational and will depend heavily on the final structure of due diligence and security vetting procedures. Background checks are expected to involve both domestic verification mechanisms and external due diligence providers, reflecting lessons learned from international criticism of weak screening standards in some CBI jurisdictions. No final details have yet been published regarding vetting protocols, dependent eligibility, or additional government and processing fees.
Investor Interest and Global Context
According to advisers involved in the initiative, roughly 1,000 prospective applicants have already registered interest, with the highest levels coming from the United States, India, and Zimbabwe. Interest from G7 countries has reportedly exceeded initial expectations, although registration of interest does not necessarily translate into completed applications.
Botswana’s passport currently provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to around 50 countries, primarily within southern Africa and select Caribbean jurisdictions. The country lost visa-free access to the United Kingdom in late 2025 due to overstays and a high number of asylum cases. As such, the program is unlikely to compete on travel freedom alone. Its appeal is expected to rest instead on political stability, rule of law, and long-term residency flexibility in a well-governed African state.
The program is also notable for its competitive pricing. The proposed minimum contribution of $75,000 would undercut the $90,000 entry point set by São Tomé and Príncipe, another newcomer to the African CBI market. While the final cost, including fees and due diligence, is not yet disclosed, this pricing positions Botswana as one of the more accessible programs globally.
Botswana’s initiative emerges at a time when CBI programs face increasing international scrutiny. In 2025, the Court of Justice of the European Union struck down Malta’s investor citizenship scheme, ruling that selling EU nationality undermined the principle of a genuine link between a citizen and the state. While Botswana’s program would fall outside EU jurisdiction, the ruling has influenced global standards, putting pressure on governments to ensure transparency, rigorous screening, and a clear public interest rationale.
Recent developments in Norway have illustrated the practical challenges CBI passport holders may face if programs are perceived as offering “mail‑order” passports with limited substantive connection to the issuing state. In late 2025, Norwegian authorities were reported to have refused entry to or deported several travellers holding passports obtained through Caribbean CBI programs, despite those countries’ formal visa‑free arrangements with Norway. Border officials questioned how the passports were obtained and declared them invalid under domestic rules if issued without in-person verification of identity. These cases have raised concerns within the investment migration industry about how CBI passports are viewed at international border controls and highlighted the importance of robust due diligence, secure issuance practices, and clear evidence of genuine ties to the issuing country.
In 2025, the European Union green‑lit updated rules that make it easier to suspend visa‑free travel for citizens of third countries. Under the amended mechanism, CBI programs can be considered a ground for revoking a country’s visa‑exemption status to the Schengen area if they are seen to undermine alignment with EU visa policy or pose security concerns. Unlike Caribbean countries with CBI programs, Botswana currently does not enjoy visa-free access to the Schengen Zone. However, if Botswana were to negotiate visa-free travel with European authorities in the future, a poorly designed CBI program could become a significant obstacle.
Several aspects of Botswana’s proposed program remain unresolved, including the final fee structure for families, the allocation of funds raised, and the precise role of licensed intermediaries. Public statements suggest that proceeds may be directed toward low-income housing, entrepreneurship funding, and other development priorities, but no formal allocation framework has yet been published.
As the parliamentary debate approaches, the program is likely to attract both domestic and international attention. For Botswana, it represents a high-stakes policy choice, balancing the need for new revenue with the long-term implications of monetizing citizenship.
If implemented with strong legal safeguards and transparent governance, Botswana’s entry into the CBI market could mark a significant step for investment migration in Africa. If not, it risks joining a growing list of programs facing scepticism in an increasingly regulated global environment.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. The Botswana Citizenship by Investment program described herein is proposed and pending legislative approval; details, including eligibility, fees, and regulatory requirements, may change. Prospective applicants should seek independent professional advice and refer to official government sources before making any decisions.