01/01/2026
๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐, ๐๐
๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐?
Botswana should approach its proposed Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme with extreme caution. While such schemes can provide short-term economic benefits, they carry significant risks, including the attraction of illicit actors, the erosion of the integrity of Botswanaโs passport, a key regional asset, the potential marginalisation of native Batswana within their own economy, and heightened international scrutiny related to money laundering and national security. If due diligence is not robust, Botswana risks losing the trust of international partners and global markets.
There is a real danger that unscrupulous individuals or criminal organisations could exploit a CBI programme to launder money, evade sanctions, or conceal illicit wealth, potentially turning Botswana into a financial hub for criminal activity.
CBI programmes can also expose Botswana to blacklisting or grey listing by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) if anti-money laundering (AML) and counter terrorist financing (CFT) controls are weak. Such outcomes would have severe implications for the countryโs financial system and international standing.
Terrorist groups may exploit weaknesses in vetting processes to obtain new identities, evade sanctions, facilitate illicit financial activities, and acquire passports that allow easier international travel to plan or execute attacks. These risks are heightened where due diligence is inadequate and information sharing between Botswana and other jurisdictions is limited.
Beyond this, terrorists often target CBI programmes in jurisdictions with weak AML/CFT frameworks, insufficient oversight, and potentially corrupt officials willing to accept bribes in exchange for citizenship.
From a fiscal perspective, many wealthy investors consider tax rates and tax optimisation opportunities as a primary motivation for applying for CBI. Numerous CBI jurisdictions offer generous tax advantages, including low or zero taxes on personal income, capital gains, inheritance, or worldwide income. Botswana should be cautious not to follow this path.
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https://wa.me/+26776395184