Keypoints:
- More than 1,000 people register interest
- Minimum contribution starts at $75,000
- Viral applicant ranking lacks published support
BOTSWANA’S proposed citizenship-by-investment programme, with an advertised minimum contribution of $75,000, has attracted more than 1,000 registrations from people across 99 nationalities.
But a widely shared claim that Nigerians form the largest group of African applicants is not supported by the clearest figures published so far.
The available numbers relate to prospective investors who registered their interest, not completed or approved applications. As of July 19, 2026, the programme portal was still inviting registrations and said applications were expected to open in 2026, without confirming that formal processing had begun.
Early interest comes from across Africa
Figures published by Arton Capital, the investment migration consultancy working with Botswana’s government, showed that Zimbabweans accounted for 10 percent of the first 1,000 registrations.
South Africans represented eight percent.
Nigeria was not listed among the five largest nationality groups in that update. The leading countries overall were the United States, Zimbabwe, India, South Africa and Pakistan.
Earlier figures painted a slightly different picture.
After the registration portal’s first week, Investment Migration Insider reported that South Africa had recorded 39 registrations, followed by Nigeria with 30 and Zimbabwe with 29.
That meant South Africa, not Nigeria, led the three African countries in the earliest published data.
The viral ranking placing Nigeria first, Zimbabwe second and South Africa third therefore does not match either of the main datasets reviewed by Africa Briefing.
The claim’s attribution to the ‘Government of Botswana’ is also imprecise. The figures were released by Arton Capital, the private company helping the government develop and promote the proposed programme.
Final cost remains unclear
The programme portal has advertised a contribution ranging from $75,000 to $90,000.
However, a later Arton Capital update placed the upper figure at $95,000.
The difference suggests that the final price structure has not yet been settled. Processing fees, due-diligence charges and additional costs for dependants could also push the total above the advertised minimum once formal applications open.
Botswana has presented the initiative as an ‘Impact Citizenship Program’ intended to channel private investment into national development.
President Duma Boko announced the proposal in September 2025 as part of efforts to find new sources of revenue beyond diamonds.
Reuters reported that possible investment areas included housing, tourism, renewable energy, mining and financial services.
The proposal comes as Botswana struggles with falling diamond revenues, increasing pressure on the government to diversify its economy.
That challenge has intensified debate over how Botswana can build an economy less dependent on diamonds while maintaining its reputation for political stability and prudent financial management.
The government has also sought new investment partnerships, including a reported $12bn investment agreement with Qatar, as it looks for capital to support economic transformation.
Citizenship bill moves forward
Botswana’s Parliament approved the Citizenship Amendment Bill at its second reading on December 17, 2025, allowing it to proceed to committee scrutiny.
According to the state-owned Daily News, the proposed changes would permit multiple citizenship, particularly for high-value investors.
The vote did not mean the bill had become law. It still required further parliamentary consideration and presidential assent.
Supporters say the programme could attract foreign capital, create jobs and help finance economic diversification. Critics have warned that weak safeguards could expose Botswana to corruption, money laundering and other financial crimes.
Similar programmes elsewhere have faced criticism over transparency, due diligence and whether the money raised produces lasting benefits for ordinary citizens.
For Botswana, the real story is not that Nigerians dominate an active citizenship programme. It is that a proposal starting at $75,000 has already generated strong regional and global interest, even before its final rules, safeguards and application procedures are fully in place.
