Botswana

Botswana

A landlocked country in the centre of Southern Africa, Botswana is bordered by Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Although most of the country is covered by deep Kalahari sand, there are rocky hills to the south-east. A large inland river delta in the north-west has a rich variety of wildlife. 

Secretariat support for Botswana 

Elections support 

In October 2018, Botswana took part in a Commonwealth Election Professionals (CEP) Initiative training. Participants learned about planning and financing elections, computers, new media, and gender equality. 

Elections work

Tackling corruption 

The Secretariat gave Botswana policy advice on public finance and managing risks. As a result, the government made progress on transparency, fairness and value for money when buying goods and services. 

The Secretariat is supporting a regional anti-corruption centre in Botswana. A Commonwealth conference for anti-corruption agencies in May 2019 helped Botswana build skills in investigation, prosecution and prevention. 

Tackling corruption work

Sport and education 

The Secretariat provided training in Botswana to help maximise the role of sport in meeting development goals in areas like health, education and gender equality.   

The Secretariat will help heads of colleges and universities in Botswana build youth workers’ skills, by making a youth work degree available and supporting short courses. 

The Secretariat assessed Botswana’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) systems and made recommendations for improvements. 

Sport for development and peace work

Education work

Trade and economic development 

The Secretariat's Hub and Spokes Programme sent a trade adviser to help Botswana revise its National Trade Policy Framework. 

In May 2019, the Commonwealth provided a technical review to support Botswana’s 5-year National Export Strategy (2019–24).  

Trade work

Connectivity Agenda

Botswana is a member of the Physical, Digital and Regulatory Connectivity clusters of the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda. The Connectivity Agenda is a platform for countries to exchange best practices and experiences to trade and investment and undertake domestic reform.

Connectivity Agenda

Botswana in the Commonwealth 

Botswana awards scholarships for postgraduate study to citizens of other Commonwealth countries under the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan. 

Find out more 

Learn more about the Secretariat's work

Total population

Key Facts

Population
2.352 million (2022)
Area
581,730 square kilometres 
Capital city
Gaborone
Joined the Commonwealth
1966, following independence from Britain