Regulatory AlertsBotswana: lending & credit regulation
RegulatedNBFIRA regulates non-bank lending; BoB regulates banks; Credit Info Act 2021 active
- Lead regulator
- Non-Bank Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority (NBFIRA)
- Also involved
- Bank of Botswana (banking) · NFIU (AML/CFT)
- Core law
- Non-Bank Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority Act
- Entry capital
- —
- Approval timeline
- —
- Customer assets
- Licensed entity only
- Data protection
- Credit Information Act 2021 · NBFIRA
- Sandbox
- —
Non-bank lending is strictly supervised by NBFIRA under its enabling Act, with recent directives enforcing the Credit Information Act 2021 and standardized disclosures. Bank of Botswana (BoB) regulates traditional banks under the Banking Act 2023. The regulatory environment is tightening regarding consumer protection, data reporting, and fee transparency.
Which licence do you need?
| Your activity | Requirement | Capital | Timeline | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer lending | LicenceNon-Bank Lender Licence[1] Must comply with Credit Information Act 2021 reporting mandates. | — | — | NBFIRA |
| SME / commercial lending | LicenceNon-Bank Lender Licence[1] Subject to NBFIRA prudential and conduct directives. | — | — | NBFIRA |
| Microfinance | LicenceMicro Lender Licence[2][3] Specific caps on early settlement fees and disclosure rules apply. | — | — | NBFIRA |
| Buy-now-pay-later | Uncertainverify with regulator Likely falls under non-bank lender or micro lender categories. | — | — | — |
| P2P lending platform | Uncertainverify with regulator No specific P2P regime identified; likely requires NBFIRA licence. | — | — | — |
| Credit bureau / scoring | LicenceCredit Bureau Licence[1] Lenders must submit data to NBFIRA-authorized credit bureaus. | — | — | NBFIRA |
| Debt collection | Uncertainverify with regulator Regulated under general NBFIRA conduct rules for lenders. | — | — | — |
New — what changed recently
- 2025-06-12Credit Information Act 2021 Compliance — NBFIRA directed non-bank lenders to legally submit prescribed consumer credit data to licensed credit bureaus.[1]
- 2025-01-25Early Settlement Guidance for Micro Lenders — NBFIRA mandated caps on early settlement fees for micro lenders at sixty calendar days' interest.[2]
- 2025-01-21Repayment Schedule Directive — NBFIRA required standardized repayment schedules and clear disclosure of total cost of credit prior to signing.[4][5][6]
- 2025-01-01Banking Regulations 2025 — Established comprehensive licensing and prudential standards for banks, including P20 million minimum capital.[7]
Market-entry checklist
- 1Apply for NBFIRA LicenceSubmit application to NBFIRA for non-bank lender or micro lender status.
- 2Implement Credit ReportingEstablish systems to submit prescribed data to authorized credit bureaus per Credit Information Act 2021.
- 3Standardize DisclosuresIssue formal repayment schedules disclosing principal, interest, and total cost before loan execution.
- 4Cap Early Settlement FeesEnsure early settlement fees do not exceed statutory caps (e.g., 60 days interest for micro lenders).
- 5Register with NFIUComply with AML/CFT obligations by registering with the National Financial Intelligence Unit.
Sources
- Non-Bank Lenders Circular – Credit Information Act · 2025-06-12
- Early Settlement Guidance Note for Micro Lenders · 2025-01-25
- Early Settlement Guidance Note for Micro Lenders · 2025-01-21
- Repayment Schedule Directive for Pawnshops, Finance and Leasing Companies · 2025-01-21
- NBFIRA Directive on Issuing Repayment Schedules to Borrowers · 2025-01-21
- NBFIRA Repayment Schedule Directive for Micro Lenders · 2025-01-21
- Banking Regulations 2025