Religion in Botswana

According to the 2022 census, 86.5 percent of the 1,680,964 people counted identified as Christian. 4.6 percent named Badimo or African traditional religions, 7.1 percent no religion, 0.6 percent Islam, 0.2 percent Hinduism, and 0.2 percent Rastafarianism. Other religions accounted for 0.8 percent; the share of Bahai was rounded to 0 percent. Regional differences at city or administrative level are not reliably documented for this overview. Article 11 of the Constitution protects freedom of conscience, thought, and religion. People may change their religion and, alone or together with others, worship, teach, practice, and observe religious customs publicly or privately. The state may not force anyone to follow a religion. Restrictions are possible only under legal conditions, for example to protect defence, public safety and order, health, morality, or the rights of others. Religious communities can operate as charitable religious organizations. Registration is handled by the civil and national registration department (Department of Civil and National Registration) or the societies registrar (Registrar of Societies). Usual requirements are at least 20 members, a letter of intent, the official registration form (Form A) in triplicate, a membership list, and three copies of the constitution. After review, the authority issues a certificate; processing takes approximately 14 days. According to the researched information, the government fee is 500 BWP for associations or churches and 250 BWP for other societies. Requirements, fees, and processing times should be checked with the responsible office before applying. Religious communities may establish and manage educational institutions at their own expense and offer their own religious instruction. Under Section 22 of the education law (Education Act), religious instruction may be provided. Parents or guardians may request in writing that a child be fully or partially exempted from it. A clergyman may, by agreement, gain access to pupils of the same denomination; alternative instruction may entail costs for the family. The state public-holiday calendar for 2026 lists Good Friday on April 3, Public Holiday on April 4, Easter Monday on April 6, Ascension Day on May 14, Christmas Day on December 25, and Boxing Day on December 26. This does not establish that Eid or Diwali are nationwide statutory holidays. Holiday dates should be checked again each year. The marriage law (Marriage Act No. 18 of 2001) applies to marriages. The government generally provides for the registration of marriages in Botswana, but notes exceptions for customary law and certain Muslim, Hindu, and other religious rights. Depending on the procedure, a notice of intention to marry with a 21-day period and banns, or a special marriage licence, may be relevant. The ceremony may take place at the district administration office (District Administration) or be conducted by a pastor. Government information on the minimum age conflicts; the responsible authority and the current law should therefore be checked before the marriage. Religious funeral services and memorial rituals take place in communities, but no uniform nationwide religious burial rule or uniform price is documented. The national council of Christian churches (Botswana Council of Churches; BCC) brings together Christian churches, while local ministers' fraternities (Ministers Fraternal) and individual religious communities enable further cooperation. Interfaith exchange occurs primarily informally or on occasion; at a state-documented prayer event in 2025, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and African traditional spiritual groups participated. A formal nationwide interfaith council structure is not reliably documented.