15 Jul 2026

In a significant step toward democratising access to global markets, the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) hosted a bell-ringing ceremony to mark the secondary listing of three Satrix Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). 

The move enables local investors to gain diversified international equity exposure directly in Botswana Pula through the familiar infrastructure of the local market.  

In an interview with BOPA recently, Mr Kopano Bolokwe, Head of Product Development at the BSE, described the listings as a clear statement of the direction Botswana’s capital market was heading.   For years, ordinary Batswana faced significant hurdles when investing in international markets, including the need for foreign brokers, currency conversions, complex tax implications, and unfamiliar regulatory environments. 

The new Satrix listings fundamentally change this landscape.  

“Investors can now buy and sell units in these ETFs on the BSE using the same trusted platforms they use for local shares. This simplifies the process, reduces costs, and lowers complexity.”  Mr Bolokwe explains.

The three ETFs listed are the Satrix MSCI World Equity Feeder ETF, which provides exposure to a broad range of developed market companies worldwide, the Satrix MSCI Emerging Markets Feeder ETF, which tracks opportunities in fast-growing emerging economies and the Satrix S&P 500 Feeder ETF, which offers access to the 500 largest US companies, a key benchmark for global equity performance.  

Mr Bolokwe noted that the three were feeder ETFs that tracked well-known global indices, thereby making international diversification readily accessible to Batswana. 

He highlighted the BSE’s broader strategy of using innovation to promote financial inclusion. “Exchange Traded Funds do exactly that. They simplify investing, lower barriers to entry, promote diversification, and most importantly make investing accessible to ordinary people,” he said.   According to Mr Bolokwe , the three ETF’s specifically addressed everyday citizens such as teachers saving for retirement, young graduates making their first investments, entrepreneurs building wealth, members of community savings groups (Metshelo), SACCOs, churches, and parents investing in their children’s futures.  

“These ETFs are not products reserved for institutional investors or the financially privileged. They are for everyone,” he emphasised. 

An Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) is essentially a basket of many stocks (or other assets) that trades on a stock exchange like a single share. Unlike actively managed funds, most ETFs passively track a market index. 

This offers instant diversification across hundreds or thousands of companies, reducing risk compared to picking individual stocks. 

An Exchange Traded Fund also typically feature low costs, high liquidity (allowing trading throughout the day), and full transparency through publicly disclosed holdings.  

In Botswana’s context, these global feeder ETFs allow investors to own a ‘slice’ of the world economy without needing offshore accounts or navigating complex foreign investment processes.  

The listings also underscores Botswana’s growing appeal as an investment destination and reflect the strength of its regulatory framework. Satrix, a leading South African provider of index-tracking products, selected the BSE as part of its African expansion.   

Mr Bolokwe acknowledged the partnership with Satrix and the valuable contributions of the Non-Bank Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority (NBFIRA), the government, Motswedi Securities, legal advisers, and the BSE team.  Investors interested in the new ETFs can contact BSE-licensed stockbrokers for more information. ENDS