Botswana’s conventional arms control regime is based on a mix of domestic legislation and international treaties and conventions. Unlike its southern neighbour, South Africa, Botswana does not currently have a dedicated entity responsible for implementing its military or heavy arms control policies, or for ensuring compliance with its obligations under the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).
At present, Botswana’s arms control regime is rooted in the Arms and Ammunition Act (No. 19 of 2018), a law introduced regulate small arms and ammunition as well as to better align Botswana’s domestic arms control framework with its international commitments under the United Nations Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, and the SADC Protocol on Control of Firearms, Ammunition and Other Related Materials.
While the Act defines “arms of war” separately as “apparatus for the discharge of all kinds of projectiles, explosive or gas-diffusing, flame-throwers, bombs, grenades, machine-guns, and rifled small-bore breech-loading weapons or such arms as may be prescribed,” it fails to introduce any specific regulation of such weapons. There are no clauses mandating end-use verification, transit permits, or recordkeeping for arms of war. Instead, the legislation operationalises control over small arms, ammunition, and civilian ownership, something critical for internal crime prevention and for meeting the aforementioned treaty and convention obligations. However, it fails to adequately fulfil Botswana’s obligations under the Arms Trade Treaty, the principal international agreement on the regulation of conventional/heavy arms.
Botswana ratified the ATT in 2019. While the implementation of the treaty has been relatively slow, Botswana has made some progress towards compliance. Although Botswana initially failed to submit its initial report in 2020 as expected, it managed to do so in 2021. Since then, government representatives have reiterated their continued commitment to full compliance, though little meaningful progress has been evident.
However, in August 2025, the Botswana government took a significant step towards full compliance by tabling the new Conventional Arms Control Bill in Parliament. Notably, the Bill’s tabling coincides with the government’s expressed interest in fostering the development of a domestic defence industry. It is principally aimed at ensuring Botswana’s full compliance with its ATT obligations and other international norms.
If passed, the Bill is expected to establish a legal framework and national control systems for the import, export, and transfer of conventional arms, as required by the ATT and Botswana’s other international commitments, this according to Botswana’s Minister for State President, Mr Moeti Mohwasa. The Bill is expected to establish a National Conventional Arms Control Authority (NCACA), similar to South Africa’s National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC), as well as set out the requirements for reporting, permit approvals and denials, including mandatory end-user certification as well as a range of additional measures to ensure Botswana’s safe and responsible participation in the international conventional arms trade.
