Botswana will introduce its first-ever Citizenship by Investment program in early 2026, according to Condé Nast Traveler. The Botswana government has branded this initiative as the “Impact Investment Program.” President Duma Boko formalized the program by signing a Memorandum of Understanding during the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 26, 2025. Foreign investors can obtain Botswana citizenship by contributing between $75,000 and $90,000.
This move aims to diversify Botswana’s economy beyond its diamond industry. The program will operate under a limited quota system, and applications will be accepted through an official registration portal developed by Arton Capital, the implementing company. At $75,000, Botswana’s program becomes the world’s most affordable option for open citizenship by investment. This undercuts São Tomé and Príncipe’s $90,000 minimum by $15,000.
Key Details About The Botswana Passport Program
Adding family members to a citizenship application will incur additional fees. A spouse or child under 18 will incur an extra $10,000 per person, while adding an adult dependent will cost $5,000. The government will use funds raised from the program to support national priorities. These include the local housing market, luxury tourism, renewable energy, mining, and financial industries.
Botswana’s $75,000 program establishes a new price floor for universally accessible citizenship-by-investment programs. This positions the country as an attractive entry-level option in the competitive market. Pakistan offers a lower price at approximately $18,000. However, Pakistan restricts its program exclusively to nationals of 54 Commonwealth countries. This makes Botswana’s offering the most affordable option available to global applicants.
Important Considerations And Unanswered Questions
Several critical details remain undisclosed despite the announcement of the base investment amount. The official portal does not provide information on additional fees, processing costs, or due diligence charges. This leaves the total investment outlay unclear. Prospective applicants should expect the final price to exceed the stated $75,000-$90,000 range after all fees are applied.
The website doesn’t specify processing timelines, dependent qualification criteria, or residency requirements. It also doesn’t mention the total number of citizenships available under the quota system. These omissions make it difficult for potential investors to fully assess the program’s value compared to alternative citizenship options.
