Research rules
Data protection law in Botswana: registration and research permits
What a survey team needs to know about personal data and survey authorization in Botswana.
Summary for planning; confirm requirements with the regulator before fieldwork.
Status
operational regulator
Data protection law
Data Protection Act 2018 (Act 32 of 2018) (2018)
Registration
registration of data controllers and processors required
National statistics office
Note
Data Protection Act 2018 fully effective from October 2022.
Botswana research rules: common questions
Is there a data protection law in Botswana?
Data Protection Act 2018 (Act 32 of 2018) (2018).
Who regulates personal data in Botswana?
Data Protection Commissioner (Office of the Data Protection Commissioner).
Do I need to register to collect personal data in Botswana?
Registration of data controllers and processors required.
Do I need a permit to run a survey in Botswana?
Statistics Botswana permit required under the Statistics Act 2009.
Sources: the regulator and statistics office pages linked above, retrieved 10 Oct 2026. See our methods.