Zimbabweans emerge as biggest beneficiaries of Botswana citizenship
Published: 30/Oct/2026
Source: The South African
Zimbabweans account for nearly half of Botswana’s 5 957 new citizens since 2018, with South Africans ranking second.
By Dumani Moyo
Zimbabweans have emerged as the largest group of foreign nationals granted Botswana citizenship since 2018, accounting for almost half of the successful applicants.
A total of 2 947 Zimbabweans acquired Botswana citizenship during the period, significantly ahead of South Africans, who recorded 1 327 successful applicants.
The figures were disclosed by Botswana’s Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Major General (Rtd) Pius Mokgware, in a parliamentary response to a question from Kgosi Khama IV of Ga-Mmangwato.
According to the minister, Botswana granted citizenship to 5 957 foreign nationals between 2018 and the period covered by the parliamentary question.
Zimbabweans accounted for approximately 49.5% of all successful foreign applicants, while South Africans represented about 22.3%.
India was the third-largest nationality group, with 320 people acquiring Botswana citizenship, followed by Zambia with 209 and Angola with 142.
Other nationalities included Malawi (103), Lesotho (101), the Democratic Republic of Congo (66), Namibia (64), Kenya (62), Pakistan (53) and Britain (50).
Read further: https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/zimbabwe/zimbabweans-emerge-as-biggest-beneficiaries-of-botswana-citizenship/