SMEs make up 35% of Botswana’s GDP and contribute 75% to formal-sector employment. To help them succeed, there are considerable online resources for business owners and investors.
The government also encourages new business growth as it helps drive Botswana’s economic diversification.
Here are 12 of the most useful online resources for business owners and investors in Botswana.
1. Botswana Ministry of Trade and Industry
The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) promotes economic growth through the development of sustainable industries and trade.
It consists of a number of departments that are responsible for promoting trade, job creation, creating trade policy and fair business practices, economic diversification and much more.
Its eServices portal lets businesses apply online for essential licences and certificates. A Facebook page under the name Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship offers useful information, such as new tenders and press releases.
2. Local Enterprise Authority
The Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) promotes entrepreneurship and the development of SMMEs. It offers a range of small business promotion services and online resources, like an opportunity map and business profitability tool.
Services include business advice, training, incubation and market access. Its website is a great resource for recent tenders.
3. Botswana Investment and Trade Centre
The Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) is an organisation that helps businesses become exporters and facilitates packaged investment opportunities for local and foreign investors.
Its website offers resources on exporting and investment in Botswana, and research and insight into growth sectors. The BITC manages Brand Botswana and its Pride Mark promotes proudly Botswanan products.
4. Botswana Unified Revenue Service
Like most revenue services, the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) offers online resources for businesses and investors, such as how to pay business tax and how to register for VAT.
It also offers customs information for international businesses and e-services for managing taxes and customs online.
5. Bank of Botswana
The country’s central bank, the Bank of Botswana (BoB), has a website with useful financial data for business owners and investors, such as information about government bonds and domestic markets.
The site offers press releases, regulations, publications, useful links and FAQs. It has all the latest economic indicators and information about BoB tenders.
6. The World Bank in Botswana
The country page for Botswana on the World Bank website is a useful resource, offering news, reports, press releases, blogs and more on private-sector business growth and socio-economic indicators.
It offers data on the country’s GDP growth, inflation, employment stats, SPIs and foreign direct investment.
7. Statistics Botswana
Statistics Botswana is the go-to site for statistical data on a wide range of topics. Some of the latest include Food and Beverage Imports and International Merchandise Trade Statistics.
Statistics Botswana has recent census data, which can be useful for market research.
8. African Development Bank
The African Development Bank (AfDB) website offers reports, news and videos on its Botswana page related to business and economic growth and development in the country.
There are useful resources for business development, job creation and economic diversification in Botswana.
9. Local newspapers
Local newspapers remain a useful resource for business and investment news.
The Botswana Guardian Sun has a business section that reports on the economy, money and SMMEs. Mmegi Online reports on the latest business news.
10. Free stock images
Stock images are a useful and essential resource for businesses, but they can be pricey.
Numerous websites offer free stock images, as well as illustrations, as long as you credit the photographer or designer:
11. Free software for businesses
For most business-related software, such as word processing, design or accounting apps, there are free open-source options.
These alternatives can save money and, in some cases, are becoming the industry standard. The articles on the websites below offer a list of free software alternatives:
12. Free training for businesses
The internet has opened up the world of training and education, with thousands of online courses – many free – that can help business owners and investors boost their skill set.
These sites offer free business courses:
At Lamna Botswana, we offer alternative business funding through asset-based loans. Businesses can unlock the liquidity of their assets by using them as collateral on a short-term loan to boost cash flow.
Contact us on 71 388 088 to find out more or apply online now for a fast, discreet secured loan.
Related posts
Fast Business Loans in Botswana: How to Unlock Cash Using Assets
Find out how to unlock cash using movable assets, with fast, reliable business loans from Lamna in Botswana.
21 Profitable Botswana Business Ideas for 2025
We share 21 profitable Botswana business ideas that can help you be part of the post-pandemic economic recovery.
Cash Loans in Botswana
If your business needs cash fast, pawning a company car in Gaborone is a simple, low-risk way to raise funds.