Frequently Asked Questions

Afrilink has life long first hand knowledge of industry in Botswana coupled with a ready and extensive in-country network to ensure project success. Information/data provided to clients is very specific and objective. 

We create the practical implementation aspect of B2B meetings post investment trade shows, webinars, trade missions, etc... that usually have a low conversion rate after the initial event excitement withers. 

We pride ourselves in providing a very personal service to clients. Notwithstanding new COVID induced acceptance of remote virtual meetings, Afrilink ensures that no transaction shall take place without at least one necessary face to face meeting regardless of your location in Australia. In fact, as part of the process, Afrilink visits your business premises (if applicable) to assess the nature of your operational processes and environment for adaptability to the Botswana and African contexts.

As we establish your business in Botswana, we also ensure that your company is able to extract the full value of all the available incentive rewards provided by government and other institutions.

The short answer is: all products and services available in first world countries typically required in a developing country going through industrialization. This is what makes Botswana and the rest of Africa a tremendous destination for investors to look towards growth of their operations which may have plateaued in their native countries. Visit Opportunity Sectors to view priority products and services of interest.

No. Afrilink is registered and domiciled in Australia making it logistically advantageous in conducting face to face engagements and client company site visits. These are components we feel are important in forging effective business relationships. That notwithstanding, our services are open to companies in all countries where the products or services may be desirable in Botswana and Africa. Since COVID, remote collaborations have become easier and quite normal and hence our outreach can extend beyond the Australian borders. Work is in progress to establish offices in 5 US states, 4 European countries, China and Singapore during 2023.

No. Afrilink can provide a 100% turnkey service including sourcing the right in country operations and management team reporting to the Australian based headquarters. Client companies have the choice of relocating their management/technical representatives to reside in Botswana or we can structure a functional venture without in-country physical presence. 

As with many businesses in the developed world, Botswana in not immune to the challenges of global market influences, competition and other usual operational business risks. But what can be assured is that there is very little risk, if at all, of negative government interference, "affirmative action" business take overs, debilitating industrial action or break out of mass militant strife or civil war. Also, Botswana generally continues to have very good diplomatic relations with it's neighbors and the wider international community.

The Botswana government through its various institutions, not only goes to great lengths in assuring investors of the safety of their investment, but also actively facilitates its growth through policy and special incentives not matched by many in the global arena. Among other incentives, there are no restrictions on repatriation of profits by foreign investors. Visit Why Invest in Botswana to view the attractions of investing in Botswana.

No, there is no minimum or maximum investment amount. This depends entirely on the nature of the product or service and the investor's market share appetite among other factors. Afrilink will sometimes recommend a small pilot investment project to ascertain client's actual product performance before scaling.

There is no restriction on how the structure of a partnership could be should an investor wish to form a JV with a local entity in Botswana (Citizen or non-citizen). It can be a joint ownership, contract manufacturing, IP licensing or management contracting. Joint venturing (especially with Botswana citizen companies) is strongly encouraged as it may attract more Government incentive rewards and also provides added assurance of business success to investors. Formulating and facilitating the creation of joint ventures is a very strong point of Afrilink's services. See Our Services for more information.

This depends on the services requested and the size of the project, ranging from approximately 3 weeks for a simple desktop study market research to several months or years for full project implementation to commissioning and operations hand over stage.

Botswana itself has a small population of 2.3million people. Depending on the nature of your product or service, this may be sufficient. Generally however, we try to focus on (but not restricted to) businesses that can satisfy this local market and can be expanded to the circa 300 million regional Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) market and eventually the 1.3 billion strong wider African market. Among other advantages, Botswana being landlocked (or "landlinked" as described by others) provides an ideal location for being a distribution hub to the African market.

Botswana is one of, if not the most politically stable country in Africa. It has held peaceful, free and fair general elections every 5 years since gaining independence in 1966 and is governed by a multi party parliamentary democracy. Presidential terms are restricted to 2 terms only and there has always been an 'uneventful' transition of power after elections. 

Botswana is a peaceful place by global standards and one of the most peaceful countries in Africa. With a Global Peace Index of 1.801 (Vision of Humanity) crime is usually dominated by petty theft, break ins for robbery with more severe crimes occurring very infrequently and forming only a small percentage of the statistics. The death sentence (as controversial as it is) still exists in Botswana and it has been argued that it contributes significantly to the overall peace that prevails in the country.