The Bank of Botswana has announced that the Electronic Payment Services (Amendment) Regulations, 2026(Statutory Instrument No. 46 of 2026) came into effect on 2 April 2026, marking a significant update to the country’s regulatory framework for electronic payments.
According to the central bank, the amendments were introduced in response to developments in the electronic payment services (EPS) and money or value transfer services (MVTS) sectors, as well as broader changes in the national payments system.
The revised regulations align the framework with the Financial Intelligence Act, 2022, its subsidiary legislation, and the Bank of Botswana (Amendment) Act, 2022. The changes also seek to address relevant Financial Action Task Force (FATF) requirements while responding to operational, supervisory and regulatory challenges identified by industry stakeholders.
The Regulations support an enabling and proportionate regulatory framework that promotes ease of doing business and innovation while contributing to financial stability, consumer protection, and the integrity of the payment systems. They also provide greater clarity regarding entities that may offer electronic payment services in Botswana, applicable licensing and market-entry requirements, and relevant market conduct obligations. The amendments are in line with the Bank’s mandate to promote a safe, efficient, and reliable payments system. Furthermore, they form part of the Bank’s ongoing efforts to modernise the NPS and support objectives of the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP).
The key amendments introduced include:
