Partner risk indices

Country Risk Index

49.4

Political Risk Index

44.9

Short-Term Economic Risk Index

51.3

Long-Term Economic Risk Index

57.7

Operational Risk Index

49

Source: Partner Research Partner, as of 8 Nov 2026. 0-100, higher means higher risk.

Key indicators

Market overview

• Botswana is in Southern Africa and is classified by the World Bank as Upper middle income. (World Bank)
• Population: 2.6 million (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• GDP: US$19.9bn in 2025 (estimate). (IMF WEO)

Economic conditions

• Real GDP growth: -0.7% in 2025 (estimate); the IMF projects 4.4% for 2026. (IMF WEO)
• Average consumer price inflation: 2.8% in 2025 (estimate); projected 7.2% for 2026. (IMF WEO)
• General government gross debt: 34% of GDP in 2025 (estimate). (IMF WEO)
• Current account balance: 3.1% of GDP in 2025 (estimate). (IMF WEO)
• Government net lending/borrowing: -6.1% of GDP in 2025 (estimate). (IMF WEO)
• Official exchange rate averaged 13.5 local currency units per US dollar in 2025, against 13.6 in 2023: 0.7% more units per dollar fewer (the currency strengthened against the dollar). (World Bank WDI)

Key risks

• Partner risk indices (0-100, higher = higher risk), as of 8 Nov 2026: Country Risk Index 49.4 (rank 7 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Political Risk Index 44.9 (rank 11 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Short-Term Economic Risk Index 51.3 (rank 15 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Long-Term Economic Risk Index 57.7 (rank 29 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Operational Risk Index 49 (rank 5 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk). (Partner Research Partner)
• Highest-scoring Partner risk component: logistics risk (55.6, operational). (Partner Research Partner)
• World Bank governance scores (2025, 0-100, higher is better): control of corruption 6; government effectiveness 61; political stability and absence of violence 85; rule of law 63; regulatory quality 62. (World Bank WGI)
• External debt stocks: 12.8% of GNI (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Unemployment (modelled ILO estimate): 24.5% of labour force (2025). (World Bank WDI)

Investment considerations

• Foreign direct investment, net inflows: -3.3% of GDP (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Domestic credit to the private sector: 33.2% of GDP (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Bank lending interest rate: 6.3% (2024). (World Bank WDI)
• Trade (exports plus imports): 69.5% of GDP (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• The Meridian holds 355 published records tagged to Botswana. (The Meridian)

Sector snapshot

• Energy and power: access to electricity 80.2% of population (2024); renewable share of final energy consumption 27.4% (2021). (World Bank WDI)
• Mining and minerals: mineral rents 0.2% of GDP (2021); ores and metals exports 10.7% of merchandise exports (2023). (World Bank WDI)
• Financial services: foreign direct investment, net inflows -3.3% of GDP (2025); bank lending interest rate 6.3% (2024). (World Bank WDI)
• Technology, media and telecoms: internet users 57.5% of population (2024); mobile subscriptions 164 per 100 people (2024). (World Bank WDI)
• Agriculture: agriculture, forestry and fishing, value added 1.8% of GDP (2025); employment in agriculture 18% of employment (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Manufacturing and industry: manufacturing, value added 5.7% of GDP (2025); industry (including construction), value added 27.9% of GDP (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Infrastructure and real estate: urban population 68% of population (2025); access to electricity 80.2% of population (2024). (World Bank WDI)

Data limitations and sources

• Older data, shown with its period and not described as current: Renewable share of final energy consumption (Latest published value is for 2021); Oil rents (Latest published value is for 2021); Fuel exports (Latest published value is for 2023); Mineral rents (Latest published value is for 2021); Ores and metals exports (Latest published value is for 2023).
• IMF figures for the most recent year are IMF estimates and later years are projections. World Bank series typically lag by one to two years. Headlines come from automated news monitoring and are not verified by The Meridian.
• Sources last checked 15 Nov 2026.

Meridian transactions

• Continental Reinsurance revises its Botswana Stock Exchange IPO as ACA Cornerstone keeps its 14.8%
• Kholo Capital invests R150 million in a downstream energy platform in Botswana
• Circle Ventures invests in CrissCross’ operations in Africa
• Fortis Green Renewables and Zeitinger Invest invest in GRIPS Energy Group’s operations in sub-Saharan Africa
• Fortis Green Renewables and Zeitinger Invest back GRIPS Energy with growth equity
• Kholo Capital invests R275 million in DCC Holdings’ operations in South Africa