Xifres de comerç exterior de Botswana

Foreign Trade in Figures

Botswana has made significant efforts to open up to international trade and strengthen its integration in the region, despite its geographical position. According to World Bank, international trade accounted for 94.5% of the country's GDP in 2021. Diamonds represent 90.1% of the country’s total exports, while other significant exports included insulated electric conductors (1.5%), copper ores (1.5%), live bovine animals (1.1%), and carbonates (0.6%). Botswana primarily imports diamonds (35.1%), petroleum oils (9.7%), motor vehicles (3.7%), electrical energy (1.7%), and medicaments (1.6%). The country is heavily dependent on electricity imports, as it only produces 60% of its needs domestically. Botswana’s trade balance is highly dependent on global prices and demand for diamonds.

The United Arab Emirates, Belgium, India, South Africa, and Israel are the country’s leading exports destination. South Africa, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, India, and Namibia are its main suppliers. The country is a member of several regional and foreign trade organisations like the WTO, the SACU (South African Customs Union), and the SADC (Southern African Development Community), and has signed trade agreements with the European Union and the United States. Botswana is among the freest economies in Sub-Saharan Africa.

According to the last available data from the WTO, Botswana exported USD 7.2 billion worth of goods in 2021, while its goods imports reached USD 8.3 billion. As for services, the country imported USD 1.1 billion and exported USD 468 million. As a result, the country's overall trade balance equalled USD 1.3 billion in 2021. Overall, imports increased 2.7% compared to the previous year, while exports grew by 32.8%, as global demand for diamonds bounced back to pre-pandemic levels.