Botswana recorded a significant turnaround in its trade position in April 2025, achieving a merchandise trade surplus of P943.8 million—its first in over 18 months—according to the latest data from Statistics Botswana. The country’s total exports for the month surged to P7.62 billion, representing a 29.2 percent increase from the revised figure of P5.89 billion in March 2025. This jump was largely attributed to a 46 percent rise in diamond exports, which contributed nearly 80 percent (P6.09 billion) of total export earnings. Copper exports also played a significant role, accounting for 11 percent of total exports.
Conversely, imports declined by 12.4 percent month-on-month, falling from P7.62 billion in March to P6.68 billion in April. The drop was driven primarily by a 65 percent decrease in diamond imports and a 21.4 percent drop in Machinery and Electrical Equipment imports. Fuel remained the largest import category, accounting for 27 percent (P1.81 billion) of total imports, followed by Food, Beverages & Tobacco at 16 percent and Machinery & Electrical Equipment at 14 percent.
The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) remained Botswana’s dominant import source, accounting for nearly 70 percent of total imports. South Africa alone supplied 62.1 percent of the imports, followed by Namibia with 6.6 percent. Imports from Asia and the European Union accounted for 9.5 percent and 5.9 percent, respectively, with China, India, and Germany among the top suppliers.
On the export front, Asia absorbed 68.3 percent of Botswana’s goods, led by the United Arab Emirates and India, which accounted for 35.6 percent and 23.6 percent of total exports, respectively. The European Union received 16.2 percent of exports, with Belgium dominating that figure through diamond purchases. South Africa remained the key SACU destination for Botswana’s exports, receiving 5.7 percent of total outbound trade.
Air transport played a critical role in export logistics, handling 81.1 percent of outbound shipments, while road and rail accounted for 18.5 percent and 0.4 percent, respectively. In contrast, 78.2 percent of imports were transported by road, with rail and air contributing 15.1 percent and 6.7 percent, respectively.
Transit trade also featured prominently, with goods worth P16.82 billion passing through Botswana en route to other countries. Martins Drift was the busiest border post, handling 55.7 percent of transit cargo, followed by Kazungula Bridge at 30.1 percent. Copper and related products led transit goods by category, comprising 46.1 percent of the total.
The April trade figures suggest a positive shift for the country’s balance of trade, underpinned by strong performance in diamond exports and a strategic diversification of export markets. However, the data also reflect continued dependence on mineral exports and South African imports.
