Botswana has signed an exclusive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Arton Capital to develop and launch a Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP). The announcement came during the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 26.
According to Arton Capital’s announcement, the program aims to attract foreign capital and international talent to sectors such as luxury tourism, renewable energy, mining, and financial services, as part of efforts to diversify the economy away from its dependence on diamonds.
President Duma Boko believes the initiative will “secure the long-term financial future of Botswana, unlocking opportunities for business owners and Batswana throughout our nation.”
According to the announcement, the government and Arton Capital have begun development work on the citizenship program, though they announced no launch date. The MoU follows a private investor event that took place at New York’s Baccarat Hotel during the UN General Assembly week.
Botswana currently holds Africa’s strongest credit rating according to Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s. The country’s passport ranks fourth strongest on the continent but 61st globally, with visa-free access to 84 destinations.
Officials target reaching the top African passport position by 2027 and expanding visa-free access to major global markets for Botswana passport holders.
The press release states that the government plans to direct program proceeds toward priority areas, including housing market investment, but did not provide further details. Boko positions the initiative as an opportunity for “affluent, talented global citizens who see the benefit of African citizenship.”
However, the website BotswanaCitizenship.com, which Arton Capital lists as “the new hub for registering interest,” states that individuals can qualify by “contributing US$75,000-90,000.” No further investment breakdowns are yet available.
Arton Capital’s official press release did not provide any details on processing timelines, dependent qualification criteria, or residency requirements.
The company’s founder, Armand Arton, characterizes Botswana as standing “at the edge of a bold new dawn” and expects the program to help establish the country as “a new regional hub for cross-industry innovation.”
Should Botswana launch its program within 2025, it would become the third African citizenship by investment program to debut this year, following Sierra Leone and São Tomé and Príncipe.
Globally, it would mark the fourth new citizenship program this year after Nauru opened its program in early 2025. Argentina could potentially bring the total to five if it launches before year-end, making a record year for new citizenship by investment programs.
