Botswana, Africa's largest diamond producer, plans to launch a new "Golden Passport" program that will allow foreign investors to obtain citizenship through a donation of US$75,000 (or US$90,000 for family applications).
Botswana's fast-track citizenship program aims to diversify the country's economy beyond diamond exports, which account for approximately a third of GDP and have declined in recent years. As a reminder, Botswana is the world's leading diamond producer by value. Botswana's authorities plan to attract international capital into sectors such as housing, tourism, mining, and renewable energy.
According to the Financial Times, interest in the program is already high at the initial stage, with leading applications coming from India, the United States, South Africa, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe. The program is expected to operate on a quota system, with a limited number of spots available once legislation is finalized and applications officially open in early 2026.
Dual Citizenship
Botswana's citizenship-by-investment initiative will allow dual citizenship, a significant policy change for a country that has historically restricted multiple citizenship. Investors will not be required to renounce their first citizenship.
Nearest Competitors
This initiative places Botswana on par with other African countries that already have citizenship-by-investment programs (Egypt, Sierra Leone, and Sao Tome and Principe).