Cabo Verde
Egypt
Ethiopia
Zambia
ZimbabweNikolai Timofejev
15 years in FinTech and payments. Maps your business model to the right NBFIRA licence and leads the file to launch, including banking and payment rails.
Get a crypto license in Botswana.
A crypto license in Botswana is a licence from NBFIRA under the Virtual Assets Act, 2025, which replaced the 2022 Act in January 2025: a virtual asset service provider licence or an issuer of initial token offerings licence, held by a company incorporated in Botswana and run from a physical office in the country. Unlicensed virtual asset business is an offence, with fines up to P1 million or prison up to 10 years. A Botswana company at 22% corporate tax, in a stable, well-governed economy. We build the company and the licence file.
27 yrs
on the international marketon the market
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
400+
Crypto licenses obtainedlicenses obtained
Updated · Reviewed by the Prifinance team
Botswana in brief
Crypto license in Botswana: an early African mover, enforced.
Botswana was among the first African countries to write a dedicated crypto law, and in 2025 it rewrote it. The Virtual Assets Act, 2025 - Act No. 4 of 2025, assented to on 24 January 2025 - repealed the Virtual Assets Act of 2022 and keeps virtual-asset business under NBFIRA, the Non-Bank Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority. It applies to every provider and token issuer doing business into or from Botswana, wherever it sits. Nobody may carry on a virtual asset business without a virtual asset service provider licence or an issuer of initial token offerings licence, and only a company incorporated in Botswana can hold one; licences issued under the 2022 Act carried over. Unlicensed business is an offence under section 36 - a fine up to P1,000,000, prison up to 10 years, or both - and NBFIRA publishes the licensed names: seven VASPs in its notice of 25 September 2026.
The appeal is a stable, well-governed African economy with a credible regulator and a framework now in its second edition - a base to serve the continent lawfully rather than grey-market. Botswana is an onshore market with a 22% corporate tax, so it is a regime-and-position play, not a tax one, and we say so. What you build is a Botswana company with a physical office and decision-makers in the country, the NBFIRA licence for each class of activity, and the business plan, fit-and-proper and AML file behind it. We assemble the company, the licence and the compliance together.
An early African mover, updated: the Virtual Assets Act, 2025 replaced the 2022 Act and is run by NBFIRA.
A VASP or token-issuer licence for a Botswana company with an office in the country. A stable African base - a regime play, not a tax one.
The licence
Licence your virtual-asset business with NBFIRA.
The Virtual Assets Act, 2025 licenses by class: a business spanning several classes applies for each one. We scope the licences to what the business does and build the file NBFIRA expects.
A licence for each class - exchange, custody, transfers, token issuance - with due diligence and AML.
01 - VASP LICENCE
Exchange, custody and transfers
Operating a venue, holding client assets or moving virtual assets for others - a virtual asset service provider licence from NBFIRA, one class for each activity the business runs.
Operating a venue, holding client assets or moving virtual assets for others - a virtual asset service provider licence from NBFIRA, one class for each activity the business runs.
- ✓VASP licence by class of activity
- ✓Fit-and-proper owners and officers
- ✓Physical office in Botswana
02 - TOKEN ISSUER
Initial token offerings
Issuing virtual assets or tokens to the public - an issuer of initial token offerings licence, with the white paper and disclosure the Act sets for an offering.
Unlicensed business is an offence (up to P1 million or 10 years). The compliance core is the work.
- ✓Issuer of initial token offerings licence
- ✓White paper and disclosure
- ✓Investor-protection standards
03 - COMPLIANCE CORE
Due diligence and AML
Whatever the class, NBFIRA expects real customer due diligence, Travel Rule data on transfers and AML under the Financial Intelligence Act - the compliance core that keeps the licence live.
Whatever the class, NBFIRA expects real customer due diligence, Travel Rule data on transfers and AML under the Financial Intelligence Act - the compliance core that keeps the licence live.
- ✓Customer due diligence
- ✓AML/CFT programme and Travel Rule
- ✓Fit-and-proper principals
Unlicensed virtual asset business is an offence under section 36 of the Act. Licence fees and capital are set by regulations under the Act and confirmed against current NBFIRA rules for your case before any work begins.
Why Botswana
Early, stable, and enforced.
A settled early-mover framework in one of Africa's most stable economies - the value is a credible African base, not tax.
✓
Early, and already updated
Botswana licensed virtual-asset business from 2022 and replaced its first Act with the Virtual Assets Act, 2025 in January 2025 - a framework with practice behind it, now in its second edition.Since 2022; new Act in 2025.
✓
A stable, well-governed economy
Botswana is consistently among Africa's best-governed, most stable economies. That stability is part of the value of a base here - it reassures banks and counterparties.Among Africa's best-governed.
✓
A credible regulator that enforces
NBFIRA licenses, supervises and publishes the licensed names, and unlicensed business is a criminal offence. A licence reads as real precisely because the regulator means it.Unlicensed is an offence.
✓
A base for the continent
A lawful African foothold to serve the region's fast-growing crypto adoption - direct and credible, rather than reaching Africa grey-market from abroad.Serve the continent lawfully.
✓
The honest trade-off
We say it plainly: 22% corporate tax, an onshore market and an office in the country. You come for the regulated African position, not a tax break, and we plan the tax properly.22% tax for a regulated base.
✓
The honest structure wins
NBFIRA licenses on the file - fit-and-proper owners, a business plan, AML policies and real decision-making in Botswana. We build all of it to the standard the regulator and correspondent banks read as legitimacy.Licensed on the file.
How it compares
How Botswana differs from other routes.
Botswana is an early, enforced African licensing regime in a stable economy - a regulated regional base, not a tax haven. The honest comparison is below.
Botswana vs other jurisdictions
| Feature |  Botswana | Other jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|
| Model today | NBFIRA VASP licence | From registration to full licensing |
| Maturity | Since 2022, new Act in 2025 | Varies |
| Enforcement | Active - unlicensed is an offence | Varies |
| Corporate tax | 22% | 0% offshore, or 9-30% onshore |
Model today
BotswanaNBFIRA VASP licence
Other jurisdictionsFrom registration to full licensing
Maturity
BotswanaSince 2022, new Act in 2025
Other jurisdictionsVaries
Enforcement
BotswanaActive - unlicensed is an offence
Other jurisdictionsVaries
Corporate tax
Botswana22%
Other jurisdictions0% offshore, or 9-30% onshore
Country by country
| Country | License type | Taxation | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Botswana | VASP licence (NBFIRA) | 22% corporate | Botswana company + local office |
 Namibia | VASP licence classes (Bank of Namibia) | Onshore corporate tax | Class-based, licensed |
 South Africa | CASP / FSP licence (FSCA) | 27% corporate | Fit-and-proper + operations |
 Seychelles | VASP Act - four activities (FSA) | 1.5% local · territorial | Resident director + office |
BotswanaLicense typeVASP licence (NBFIRA)
Taxation22% corporate
RequirementsBotswana company + local office
NamibiaLicense typeVASP licence classes (Bank of Namibia)
TaxationOnshore corporate tax
RequirementsClass-based, licensed
South AfricaLicense typeCASP / FSP licence (FSCA)
Taxation27% corporate
RequirementsFit-and-proper + operations
SeychellesLicense typeVASP Act - four activities (FSA)
Taxation1.5% local · territorial
RequirementsResident director + office
Africa
Crypto licences in neighbouring jurisdictions
Doing it properly
Crypto license requirements in Botswana: what the NBFIRA licence file contains.Botswana crypto license requirements.
An enforced regime with real standards. The checklist below is what we build and file - and keep live.
01
Botswana company - incorporated under the laws of Botswana, with ownership transparent to the UBOs.
02
The right licence class - a VASP licence for each activity, or an issuer of initial token offerings licence.
03
Business plan - financial and operational projections, the nature and scale of the business, technology and staffing.
04
Fit-and-proper owners, associates and officers - financial standing, qualifications, competence and reputation.
05
AML/CFT policies under the Financial Intelligence Act, with customer due diligence on founders, investors, owners and officers.
06
Travel Rule - originator and beneficiary data on every transfer, with fines up to P5,000,000 for breaches.
07
Physical office in Botswana - NBFIRA looks at where strategy and risk decisions are taken and whether the responsible officers live in the country.
08
Client-asset safeguarding where custody is involved, and market-abuse controls on an exchange.
09
Capital and financial requirements as prescribed under the Act.
10
Ongoing NBFIRA supervision and reporting - unlicensed operation is an offence, not an option.
01
Botswana company.
02
NBFIRA licence for each class.
03
Business plan with projections.
04
Fit-and-proper owners and officers.
05
AML/CFT and customer due diligence.
06
Travel Rule on transfers.
07
Physical office in Botswana.
08
Safeguarding for custody.
09
Capital as prescribed.
10
Ongoing NBFIRA supervision.
Reflects the Virtual Assets Act, 2025 (No. 4 of 2025), which repealed the 2022 Act, and NBFIRA's public notice of 25 September 2026, as of 2026.Virtual Assets Act 2025 + NBFIRA, as of 2026.
Verify it yourself
Official sources
Regulator pages, legal texts and public registers the figures on this page are based on.
- LawNBFIRA - Virtual Assets Act, 2025 (Act No. 4 of 2025)nbfira.org.bw
- RegulatorNBFIRA - Public notice of 25 September 2026: licensed virtual asset service providers under the Virtual Assets Act, 2025nbfira.org.bw
- RegisterNBFIRA - List of regulated virtual asset service providersnbfira.org.bw
How it works
From first call to an NBFIRA licence.
01
Strategy and scope
Which licence classes you need, the honest timeline and the compliance plan - fixed in writing before anything incorporates.Which classes, timeline - in writing.
02
The Botswana company
Incorporated with clean governance, ownership transparent to the UBOs and a physical office in the country.Botswana company and office.
03
The NBFIRA file
The application for each class, the business plan, the fit-and-proper documents and the AML policies.Application, plan, fit and proper, AML.
04
Compliance and banking
The compliance function, Travel Rule data and safeguarding in place; accounts arranged on disclosure.Function, Travel Rule, accounts.
05
Licence and run
NBFIRA issues the licence; ongoing supervision keeps it clean and lawful.NBFIRA licenses; kept lawful.
Quick facts
RegulatorNBFIRA
LawVirtual Assets Act 2025
In force24 January 2025
ModelVASP or ITO licence
EnforcementActive - unlicensed is an offence
VehicleBotswana company + office
Corporate tax22%
Why hereStable African base
Botswana's regime is early, updated in 2025 and enforced. The value is a credible, stable African base - the compliance is the work, the standing is the reward.
On the ground for Botswana
Run from our international desks.
Prifinance - Botswana desk
Run from our Dubai office
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower, Dubai, UAE
01
Botswana company
The vehicle the licence sits on - incorporated clean, owned transparently to the UBOs, with a real office in the country.The vehicle, with a real office.
02
The NBFIRA licence
The licence classes, the business plan and the fit-and-proper file, assembled the way the regulator expects.Classes + business plan.
03
AML and governance
The AML programme, Travel Rule data and the fit-and-proper governance - the compliance core NBFIRA enforces, built to stand up.The compliance core.
04
Banking and rails
Accounts or a payment provider, arranged on full disclosure with a real licence behind you.Arranged on full disclosure.
We also have offices in
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
Prague
Czech Republic
Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov
London
United Kingdom
7 Bell Yard
Dubai
UAE
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower
Istanbul
Turkey
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
Good to know
Taxation and the honest position in Botswana.
A moderate onshore African rate - 22% corporate tax. Botswana is a regime-and-stability play, and we set the tax out plainly.
22% corporate tax
Botswana companies pay corporate income tax at 22%. This is an onshore market, not an offshore zero - the tax is the price of a regulated African base.Onshore African rate.
Crypto follows general rules
There is no special crypto tax break - digital-asset income is taxed under the general corporate rules, and we plan it into the model.No crypto carve-out.
The reason is stability
You come to Botswana for a stable, well-governed economy and an early, enforced regime - not for the rate. The tax is planned, not avoided.The reason to be here.
A predictable system
Botswana has a stable, well-administered tax system - predictable rules, which is exactly what a regulated regional operation wants.Well-administered.
No crypto-specific surtax
There is no separate digital-asset tax layer - crypto follows the general corporate position at 22%.General corporate position.
Home-country tax still matters
Group and owner-level tax depends on where you sit. We model how a Botswana entity fits a wider structure.Group position modelled.
Tax and access summary
Corporate income tax22%
Crypto incomeTaxed - general rules
Crypto-specific reliefNone
Why hereStable African base, not tax
RegimeEarly, enforced
SystemPredictable
*As of 2026. Botswana is a regime-and-stability decision - we model the tax honestly against the value of the base.
Turnkey professional support
Experienced lawyers and international consultants.
We provide end-to-end support, from company registration and the NBFIRA file to regulatory interaction and compliance oversight - with an individualized approach to each client.
Oleksii Kindratenko
Builds the application itself: the Botswana company, the NBFIRA licence file and the due-diligence and AML policy set. His document sets are the reason reviews finish cleanly.
Eugeniu Bevziuc
First point of contact for international founders. Runs the whole setup remotely, across time zones and languages - from the first call to a clean, licensed business.
Follow Prifinance
Active across our channels.
Botswana · Virtual Assets Act 2025
Get your crypto license in Botswana with expert support.
Full-service setup - the company, the NBFIRA licence and the compliance, assembled as one.
Get a consultation →Free legal opinion
Is Botswana the right fit for your project?
Our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which activity, jurisdiction or route fits your business.
Written assessment within 2-5 business days
Request a free conclusion →FAQ
The Botswana crypto licence, answered honestly.
Is there a real crypto regime in Botswana?+
Yes - the Virtual Assets Act, 2025, which replaced the 2022 Act in January 2025 and is run by NBFIRA. Virtual asset business needs a licence, and carrying it on without one is an offence punishable by a fine up to P1,000,000, prison up to 10 years, or both.
Who needs a licence?+
Every virtual asset service provider and issuer of initial token offerings doing business into or from Botswana, wherever it is based. The licence holder must be a company incorporated in Botswana and run its business from a physical office there.
Why Botswana rather than offshore?+
For a stable, well-governed African base with a credible, enforced regime - a lawful foothold to serve the continent. Offshore gives tax, not a regulated African position.
How is it taxed?+
22% corporate tax, with crypto following the general rules - it is not a tax haven. You pay onshore tax for a regulated African base, and we plan it into the model.
How strict is enforcement?+
Real. Unlicensed business is a criminal offence, NBFIRA publishes the licensed providers - seven in its notice of 25 September 2026 - and warns the public against everyone else.
How long does a crypto license in Botswana take?+
Realistically a few months once the file is complete. The quality of the business plan, the fit-and-proper documents and the AML policies is what keeps the NBFIRA review moving.
Botswana or Namibia?+
Both are Southern African licensing regimes. Botswana licenses providers and token issuers under its 2025 Act through NBFIRA; Namibia's 2023 Act is class-based and run by the Bank of Namibia. Model, market and comfort decide, and we help you choose.
Why Botswana with you?+
Because NBFIRA licenses on the file - the business plan, fit and proper and AML. We build Botswana licence files to the standard the regulator and the banks read, which is what makes them usable.
A real regime?+
Yes - Virtual Assets Act 2025 (NBFIRA).
Who needs a licence?+
Providers and token issuers - or it is an offence.
Why not offshore?+
For a stable, regulated African base.
Tax?+
22%; crypto on general rules.
Enforcement?+
Real - licensed names published.
How long?+
A few months once complete.
Botswana or Namibia?+
NBFIRA licence vs Bank of Namibia classes.
Why with us?+
File to NBFIRA and bank standard.
Client notes
Google4.7★★★★★
Founders who wanted it done right.
Google4.7★★★★★
“As a software development crew at FewMoreTaps OÜ, we've had the pleasure of working with Prifinance on some key financial moves.First of all, navigating the world of corporate banking and finance can be a maze, but Prifinance made it feel like a walk in the park. They helped us set up a corporate bank account without the hassle of jumping on a plane or drowning in paperwork. Everything was done remotely, smoothly…”
Google
“I had their assistance in company registration and I would recommend them. They were answering all my clarification during the process and offering all their supportThank you Daniel and Irinia”
Google
“We found PRIFINANCE COMPANYvia the Internet and asked for help in organizing the opening of their company in Estonia. PRIFINANCE COMPANY specialists helped us a lot with this. Their professional, competent approach and knowledge of their business left us with only the best impressions.”
Google
“I'm thrilled with my experience with PriFinance! They helped me obtain a crypto license in Estonia without any hassle. The team was super understanding and always available to answer my questions and assist. It was great to see how they put effort into preparing the documents to ensure everything went smoothly. I'm delighted with the outcome and highly recommend PriFinance to anyone looking to get a license…”
Google
“Opening an account with Prifinance in a Swiss bank was such an easy and quick process that I was shocked. It all started with the first call, where I received detailed guidance on the required documents and the entire procedure.One of the key highlights was their attention to detail. As someone who usually gets tangled up in paperwork, I was pleasantly surprised when they sent me all the documents and…”
Google
“I recently had the pleasure of working with Boris.. and I must say, it was a fantastic experience. Boris went above and beyond to assist me with my residency needs. His professionalism, knowledge, and dedication truly stood out. I highly recommend working with Boris and the team!”
Google
Start today
One message away from your Botswana licence.
Get a free legal opinion on your project - our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which activity, jurisdiction or route fits your business.Free legal opinion: which Botswana activity fits your project and what it will cost.
✓Written legal opinion within 2-5 business days - free of charge✓A clear recommendation on the right activity, not a sales pitch✓Transparent fixed fees, confirmed up front✓EN · RU · ES speaking team
Prifinance is an independent law and advisory firm. We are not a regulator and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of NBFIRA or the Government of Botswana. Registrations are granted by, and obtained directly from, the competent authority.