Starting a business in Botswana: the compliance basics
To start a business in Botswana: register the company with CIPA, register for tax with BURS (corporate income tax 22% (15% for approved manufacturing); VAT 14% once over BWP 1 million), comply with the Employment Act if you hire, and meet Data Protection Act, 2018 for personal data.
First compliance steps
- 1 Register the company with CIPA.
- 2 Register for tax with BURS.
- 3 Register as an employer (workplace cover (no mandatory national pension)) and use written contracts if you hire.
- 4 Register for VAT once turnover passes BWP 1 million.
- 5 Put a basic Data Protection Act, 2018 framework in place.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to start a business in Botswana?
Register with CIPA, register for tax with BURS, and meet labour (Employment Act) and data-protection rules. Confirm specifics with BURS.
More on Botswana
- Register a company — Botswana
- Company tax — Botswana
- VAT / sales tax — Botswana
- Hiring staff — Botswana
- Data protection — Botswana
- Tax clearance — Botswana
- Empowerment / B-BBEE — Botswana
- Licences & permits — Botswana
- Payroll & employee tax — Botswana
- Importing & customs — Botswana
- Annual returns — Botswana
- Full Botswana compliance guide
Start a business elsewhere in SADC
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Reviewed June 2026 from official sources. General information only — confirm with BURS or a registered professional.