Botswana is accelerating efforts to modernise its financial ecosystem with the development of a National Fintech Strategy (2025–2030) and the implementation of a National Retail Payments Switch (NRPS), two key initiatives aimed at boosting financial inclusion, innovation, and regional competitiveness.
According to the Bank of Botswana’s 2024 Annual Report, a National Fintech Working Group—comprising the central bank, NBFIRA, BOCRA, key government ministries, commercial banks, infrastructure providers, and the Fintech Association of Botswana—is leading the formulation of the country’s first comprehensive fintech strategy.
The plan is expected to position Botswana as a regional fintech hub, expand digital financial services to underserved communities and small businesses, and support cross-border digital trade.
In parallel, the Bank is facilitating the rollout of the NRPS, a major payments infrastructure reform under the National Payments System Vision and Strategy (2020–2024). The switch is designed to enable inclusive, low-cost, real-time retail transactions across platforms and institutions. It will also support the integration of fintechs via open APIs and ensure interoperability across banks, mobile money operators, and other payment service providers.
The NRPS project is being carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of State President, and Ministry of Communications, Knowledge and Technology, alongside key players in the private sector.
Both initiatives mark a significant step in Botswana’s ambition to build a resilient, digitally driven financial sector that supports inclusive growth and economic transformation.