Botswana: Visió econòmica i política
Botswana has made significant efforts to open up to international trade and strengthen its integration in the region, despite its geographical position. According to the World Bank, international trade accounts for around 69% of the country's GDP. Diamonds represented 78.8% of the country’s total exports in 2023, while other significant exports included copper (9.28%), insulated wires (2.8%), carbonates (1%), and bovine animals (1.2%). Conversely, imports were led by petroleum oils (17.6%), diamonds (14.8%), motor cars and other motor vehicles (2.6%), waters including mineral and aerated (2.5%), and electrical energy (2.4% - data Comtrade). The country is heavily dependent on electricity imports, as it only produces 60% of its needs domestically. Moreover, Botswana’s trade balance is highly dependent on global prices and demand for diamonds.
In terms of countries, the main export partners in 2023 were the United Arab Emirates (29.8%), Belgium (17.9%), India (12.3%), South Africa (11.9%), and China (6.4%), whereas imports came chiefly from South Africa (65.0%), Namibia (7.7%), Canada (4.9%), China (3.3%), and India (2.7% - data Comtrade). The country is a member of several regional and foreign trade organizations like the WTO, the SACU (Southern African Customs Union), and the SADC (Southern African Development Community), and has signed trade agreements with the European Union and the United States.
According to the last available data from the WTO, Botswana exported USD 5.4 billion worth of goods in 2023, while its goods imports reached almost USD 6.4 billion. Overall, imports decreased by 20.9% compared to the previous year, while exports declined at a faster pace (34.7%), amid a lower global demand for diamonds. As for services, the country imported USD 801 million and exported USD 576 million. The country’s trade balance fluctuates according to diamond prices and was estimated to be negative by 4.3% of GDP in 2023 by the World Bank (compared to a deficit of 1.5% one year earlier). According to preliminary figures from Statistics Botswana, the country exported BWP 59.6 billion in 2024, marking a 23.3% drop year-on-year. In the same year, imports totalled BWP 92.6 billion (+9.8%).
Foreign Trade Values | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
Imports of Goods (million USD) | 6,564 | 6,516 | 8,400 | 8,087 | 6,392 |
Exports of Goods (million USD) | 5,237 | 4,262 | 7,420 | 8,314 | 5,424 |
Imports of Services (million USD) | 1,370 | 1,264 | 1,178 | 944 | 801 |
Exports of Services (million USD) | 969 | 362 | 498 | 588 | 576 |
Source: World Trade Organisation (WTO) ; Latest available data
Foreign Trade Indicators | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) | 83.1 | 77.7 | 88.8 | 85.6 | 68.9 |
Trade Balance (million USD) | -1,066 | -1,949 | -644 | 556 | -456 |
Trade Balance (Including Service) (million USD) | -1,467 | -2,851 | -1,389 | 88 | -830 |
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 11.6 | 5.0 | 2.3 | -11.7 | -7.4 |
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | -8.8 | -18.6 | 31.7 | -5.3 | -13.8 |
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 46.0 | 46.4 | 46.8 | 42.1 | 36.6 |
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 37.1 | 31.3 | 41.9 | 43.5 | 32.3 |
Source: World Bank ; Latest available data
Foreign Trade Forecasts | 2024 | 2025 (e) | 2026 (e) | 2027 (e) | 2028 (e) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Volume of exports of goods and services (Annual % change) | 15.7 | 6.2 | 7.6 | 8.1 | 5.8 |
Volume of imports of goods and services (Annual % change) | 12.0 | 8.9 | 11.3 | 9.4 | 10.0 |
Source: IMF, World Economic Outlook ; Latest available data
Note: (e) Estimated Data
Member of Southern African Development Committee (SADC)
Member of African Union
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Member of the African Economic Community
Member of the Cotonou Agreement
Main Customers (% of Exports) |
2023 |
United Arab Emirates | 29.8% |
Belgium | 17.9% |
India | 12.3% |
South Africa | 11.9% |
China | 6.4% |
See More Countries | 21.8% |
Main Suppliers (% of Imports) |
2023 |
South Africa | 65.0% |
Namibia | 7.7% |
Canada | 4.9% |
China | 3.3% |
India | 2.7% |
See More Countries | 16.4% |
Source: Comtrade, 2025. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.
Source: Comtrade, 2025. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.
To go further, check out our service Import-Export Flows.
0.6 bn USD of services exported in 2022 | |
64.07% | |
Personal travelPersonal travel | 62.86% |
OtherOther | 22.92% |
Business travelBusiness travel | 1.20% |
17.67% | |
13.01% | |
4.13% | |
0.82% | |
0.22% | |
0.09% |
0.9 bn USD of services imported in 2022 | |
39.27% | |
20.28% | |
12.68% | |
10.59% | |
Personal travelPersonal travel | 9.45% |
OtherOther | 50.14% |
Business travelBusiness travel | 1.14% |
7.32% | |
5.61% | |
3.82% | |
0.23% | |
0.21% |
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, 2024. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.
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Actualitzacions: May 2025