How Botswana’s hunting quota has earned communities millions since 2022
Botswana’s decision to lift the hunting ban has paid off for local communities, generating approximately P195 million (about USD 14.4 million) from hunting quotas between 2022 and 2025.
This was disclosed in Parliament by Labour and Home Affairs Minister Major General Pius Mokgware on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Daily News reports.
Mokgware also noted that community-based organisation activities created around 7,000 jobs per year, boosting rural employment and livelihoods. Several hunting trophies have been exported to international markets, with major destinations including the United States, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and South Africa, the latter being the largest market in Africa.
Emerging markets such as Mexico and the Middle East, particularly the United Arab Emirates, are also showing interest, though the Far East remains untapped, the minister added.
On tourism concessions, Mokgware stated that land boards and the Department of Lands manage leases on tribal and state lands, respectively. Out of 40 tourism concession leases that expired over the past two decades, 29 have been renewed, while 11 remain pending.
The minister further noted that the Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) plays a key role in advising on the allocation of tourism land and promoting sustainable tourism investments. He noted that the BTO’s facilitative role is grounded in its mandate to ensure the strategic development of tourism, as outlined in the BTO Act (CAP 42:10).
In 2014, the management of tourism sites was transferred from land authorities to the then Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Management and Tourism due to persistent delays and mismanagement in lease allocations.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
