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The twenty imports Botswana is best placed to replace.

Botswana imported USD 3.4bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 380m. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well, with how concentrated the supply of each is.

USD 495mthe twenty, imported in 2024
30products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
95products Botswana already exports well
65product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Botswana already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Botswana would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Botswana does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Cement: portland, other than white, whether or not artificially colouredHS 252329

    Comes fromSouth Africa 80%, 2 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 10k
    Countries that export it well54

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 56m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Botswana's export strengths in the top 2 per cent (3); South Africa supplies 80 per cent (2).

    USD 56mup 3% on 2022
  2. 2

    Washing and cleaning preparations: surface-active, whether or not containing soap (excluding those of heading no....HS 340290

    Comes fromSouth Africa 100%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaints and varnishes: (based on polymers other than acrylic or... (exports USD 632k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 46k
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 35m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Botswana's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); South Africa supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 35mup 40% on 2022
  3. 3

    Sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matterHS 170199

    Comes fromSouth Africa 100%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFlours, meals and pellets: of meat or meat offal, greaves (exports USD 743k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1k
    Countries that export it well44

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 31m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Botswana's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); South Africa supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 31mdown 67% on 2022
  4. 4

    Sauces and preparations therefor: mixed condiments and mixed seasoningsHS 210390

    Comes fromSouth Africa 100%, 6 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 14k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 12m
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 25m, top 22 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Botswana's export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3); South Africa supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 25mup 1% on 2022
  5. 5

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectorsHS 854449

    Comes fromSouth Africa 73%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 334k
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 49m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Botswana's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); South Africa supplies 73 per cent (2).

    USD 49mup 1% on 2022
  6. 6

    Beverages, fermented: (e.g. cider, perry, mead, sake)HS 220600

    Comes fromSouth Africa 100%, 2 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 38m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Botswana's export strengths in the top 31 per cent (1); South Africa supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 38mdown 3% on 2022
  7. 7

    Juices: mixtures of fruits or vegetables (but not nut juice), unfermented, not containing added spirit, whether or not...HS 200990

    Comes fromSouth Africa 99%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMeat preparations: homogenised preparations of meat, meat offal... (exports USD 109k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 27k
    Countries that export it well40

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 19m, top 38 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Botswana's export strengths in the top 8 per cent (3); South Africa supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 19mup 82% on 2022
  8. 8

    Waters: including mineral and aerated, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavouredHS 220210

    Comes fromSouth Africa 99%, 7 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 61k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 16m
    Countries that export it well60

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 19m, top 40 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Botswana's export strengths in the top 3 per cent (3); South Africa supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 19mdown 22% on 2022
  9. 9

    Cosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments...HS 330499

    Comes fromSouth Africa 99%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaints and varnishes: (based on polymers other than acrylic or... (exports USD 632k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 6k
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 34m, top 11 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Botswana's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1); South Africa supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 34mup 17% on 2022
  10. 10

    Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308HS 730890

    Comes fromSouth Africa 89%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or steel: structures and parts thereof, props and similar... (exports USD 1m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 27m, top 17 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Botswana's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); South Africa supplies 89 per cent (2).

    USD 27mdown 14% on 2022
  11. 11

    Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10HS 210690

    Comes fromSouth Africa 98%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 31k
    Countries that export it well51

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 23m, top 28 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Botswana's export strengths in the top 15 per cent (2); South Africa supplies 98 per cent (2).

    USD 23mup 34% on 2022
  12. 12

    Beer: made from maltHS 220300

    Comes fromSouth Africa 100%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 4k
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 23m, top 29 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Botswana's export strengths in the top 12 per cent (2); South Africa supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 23mdown 37% on 2022
  13. 13

    Dog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feedingHS 230990

    Comes fromSouth Africa 96%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFlours, meals and pellets: of meat or meat offal, greaves (exports USD 743k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 153k
    Countries that export it well48

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 20m, top 35 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Botswana's export strengths in the top 15 per cent (2); South Africa supplies 96 per cent (2).

    USD 20mup 32% on 2022
  14. 14

    Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, containing indentations, ribs, grooves...HS 721420

    Comes fromSouth Africa 100%, 2 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 10m, top 98 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Botswana's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); South Africa supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 10mup 120% on 2022
  15. 15

    Wood: coniferous species, of pine (Pinus spp.), sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed...HS 440711

    Comes fromSouth Africa 89%, 2 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 21m, top 32 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Botswana's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); South Africa supplies 89 per cent (2).

    USD 21mdown 7% on 2022
  16. 16

    Sanitary towels (pads) and tampons, napkins (diapers), napkin liners and similar articles, of any materialHS 961900

    Comes fromSouth Africa 97%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 1k
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 19m, top 37 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Botswana's export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1); South Africa supplies 97 per cent (2).

    USD 19mdown 6% on 2022
  17. 17

    Food preparations: sweet biscuits, whether or not containing cocoaHS 190531

    Comes fromSouth Africa 95%, 7 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 2k
    Countries that export it well52

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 12m, top 74 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Botswana's export strengths in the top 25 per cent (2); South Africa supplies 95 per cent (2).

    USD 12mdown 3% on 2022
  18. 18

    Vegetable preparations: potatoes, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozenHS 200520

    Comes fromSouth Africa 100%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFlours, meals and pellets: of meat or meat offal, greaves (exports USD 743k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2k
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 12m, top 75 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Botswana's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); South Africa supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 12mup 25% on 2022
  19. 19

    Soap and organic surface-active products: in the form of bars, cakes, moulded shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and...HS 340111

    Comes fromSouth Africa 99%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 1k
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 12m, top 77 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Botswana's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); South Africa supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 12mup 179% on 2022
  20. 20

    Soups and broths and preparations thereforHS 210410

    Comes fromSouth Africa 100%, 1 source country
    Nearest export strengthFlours, meals and pellets: of meat or meat offal, greaves (exports USD 743k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 13k
    Countries that export it well31

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 10m, top 100 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Botswana's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2); South Africa supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 10mup 42% on 2022

The bill and its path, the sources and their unit values, who exports the line well, the nearest strengths, the public buyers where a country publishes them, and the method. We reply by email. Privacy

One line per customs heading. Products Botswana already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Tractors: road tractors for semi-trailers, with both compression-ignition... imports USD 11m, exports USD 68k, top source South Africa 100%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 65 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-03. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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