10 Legal Steps Every Botswana Entrepreneur Must Take—Before It’s Too Late

10 Legal Steps Every Botswana Entrepreneur Must Take—Before It’s Too Late. With entrepreneurship on the rise in Botswana, understanding the legal framework is becoming critical for anyone looking to start or grow a business. Last Sunday, veteran lawyer and entrepreneur, Senior Counsel with 38 years of experience, led a session unpacking the Top 10 Legal Essentials for Business Owners in Botswana. The session, aimed at local entrepreneurs, emphasized the importance of legal compliance from day one.

The talk highlighted the need to choose the right business structure—such as a company (Pty Ltd) or partnership—and to formally register with the Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA). “Your business vehicle determines your tax, liability, and operational obligations,” the speaker advised.

Contractual clarity also featured prominently. Entrepreneurs were urged to rely on written contracts, MOUs, and SLAs rather than oral agreements, which are harder to enforce.

Another key takeaway was the value of protecting intellectual property. “Logos, product names, and original content are assets—register them early,” attendees were told, especially if planning to attract investors or franchise.

Compliance with Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) and sector-specific licensing laws was stressed, particularly the requirement to register for VAT if annual turnover exceeds P1 million.

Other legal must-knows included employee rights under the Employment Act, zoning and bylaw compliance, proper record-keeping, and the importance of formal succession planning.