Botswana's Currency: The Pula (BWP) — Complete Guide
The Pula (BWP) — meaning "rain" in Setswana — has been Botswana's currency since 1976, replacing the South African rand at par.
Denominations in Circulation
| Coins | Banknotes |
|---|
| 5 thebe | 10 pula |
| 10 thebe | 20 pula |
| 25 thebe | 50 pula |
| 50 thebe | 100 pula |
| 1 pula | 200 pula |
| 2 pula | |
| 5 pula | |
100 thebe = 1 pula.
Key Features
- Peg: Crawling band vs. basket (ZAR ~45%, SDR ~55%). Not fixed to USD.
- Issuer: Bank of Botswana (independent, inflation-targeting).
- Stability: 3–5% inflation range; BWP/USD ~13.5 (2024).
- Legal tender in SACU: Rand also circulates freely in Botswana; pula accepted in Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia (limited).
For Visitors
- ATMs widespread (Visa/Mastercard); dispense pula.
- Credit cards accepted at lodges, supermarkets, urban restaurants.
- Carry cash for markets, fuel in remote areas, tips.
- Exchange: Banks, Forex bureaus (better rates), hotels (worst). No black market.
The pula's stability reflects Botswana's prudent fiscal management — rare for a resource-dependent economy.
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