BOTSWANA

(BWP) Currency News >>

CURRENCY:

Botswana Pula - BWP, Symbol P

DENOMINATIONS:

NOTE: P100, 50, 20 and 10.

COIN: P5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25, 10 and 5 thebe.

US DOLLAR ACCEPTED:

Yes, though it might be wise to check this in advance.

CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS AND ATMS:

Most major credit cards are accepted and ATMs should be widely available in the larger towns and cities

CURRENCY EXCHANGE:

This is advised to be done at banks. It is more wise however to organise local currency before travel to Botswana - it might be hard to access banks in more rural areas.

TRAVELLER'S CHEQUES:

Not recommended. But if necessary, then these are best in US Dollars or Sterling.

BANKING HOURS:

Banking hours are complicated: Banks open Mon - Fri: 0800 and 0900 to between 1615 and 1715. Sat: 0800 and 0900 to 1045 and 1200. Please check in advance.

CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS:

There are no restrictions on import of local currency and the import and export of foreign currency as long as these are declared upon arrival. Local currency may only be exported up to P50.

COUNTRY OVERVIEW:

Officially called the Republic of Botswana, this country is located in Southern Africa. This was a former British protectorate, but became independent within the Commonwealth in 1966. It is surrounded by South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia. The capital is Gaborone and the official languages are English and Setswana.

POPULATION:

1,639,833

ECONOMY:

Botswana has one of the strongest economies in Africa, and is often related to South Africa's. It has elements including diamond mining, tourism, manufacture and the service sector. Botswana is known for transforming itself from one of the poorest to a middle-income country. Growth in income per capita is rapid. All this despite the fact that Botswana has been hit very hard by the AIDS epidemic, and life expectancy there is low. The government are active in trying to combat the disease.