Discusses the legal requirements for selling to the host government, including whether the government has agreed to abide by the WTO Government Procurement Agreement or is a party to a government procurement chapter in a U.S. FTA. Specifies areas where there are opportunities.
Last Published: 7/22/2019

Public procurement in Botswana is centralized.  The Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board (PPADB - www.ppadb.co.bw) awards government tenders valued within a range of $5 million to $10 million (approximately 54 and 108 million Pula).  The tender process generally follows relevant regulations and procedures.  The PPADB’s Complaints Review Committee reviews PPADB decisions challenged by stakeholders.  The PPADB publishes decisions concerning awarded tenders, prequalification lists, and newly registered contractors on its web site and in the Government Gazette.  Although lobbying the PPADB directly is prohibited, foreign businesses may contact the individual government departments which request the creation of PPADB tender offers to discuss the products and services they offer.
                                                                                                                                                                        
The government is the largest consumer of goods and services in the country.  In the 2017/2018 fiscal year the GOB spent more than $1 billion in public procurements.  Generally there has been a reduction in tenders adjudicated by PPADB as it has increased the financial threshold of the ministerial tender committees and district administrative tender committees in building up towards the objective of devolving its authority to tender committees over time and focus more on oversight.  Ministerial Tender Committees and District Administration Committees collectively handled close to 5,693 adjudications, worth $506.4 million during 2017/2018 fiscal year.   The National Development Plan, Version 11 (www.finance.gov.bw/index.php?option=com_content&view), outlines key government projects through 2023 valued at 101.4 billion Pula.  The largest include defense equipment procurements to modernize the Botswana Defense Force, water transportation and treatment infrastructure, power grid investments, land servicing, and transportation infrastructure. 

The U.S. Embassy can assist in making initial business contacts with government officials through paid commercial services.  Investors should be aware that increasing government procurement requirements contain preference schemes for Botswana citizen-owned businesses and locally-based businesses.  Consult the investment climate chapter for further details.  Note that unless otherwise specified, many bids are required to be registered with the PPADB, this however does not apply to foreign companies unless the company has registered to operate as a local company.  The U.S. Embassy offers a service whereby U.S. companies interested in bidding on projects in Botswana can have tender documents delivered to them.  More information is available on our website ( bw.usembassy.gov ).

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.