Botswana is considering launching a so-called “golden passport” programme that would offer citizenship in exchange for investments of up to US$100,000, as the country looks to offset declining revenues from diamond mining, media reports said.
Under the proposed scheme, Botswana aims to attract up to 5,000 foreign families over a five-year period, potentially raising around US$500 million in investment, according to the plan cited by the Economic Times.
The initiative would form part of broader efforts by the southern African nation to diversify its economy as diamond production a key pillar of government revenue shows signs of long-term decline.
Botswana has traditionally relied heavily on diamond exports to fund public spending and social services, but authorities have increasingly warned that output and revenues are expected to fall in the coming years.
If implemented, the programme would place Botswana among a growing number of countries offering residency or citizenship-by-investment schemes to attract foreign capital.
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Details of the eligibility criteria, investment structure and timeline for the proposed scheme have not yet been officially announced by the government.
