Description:
This study assesses the impact of exchange control liberalisation on economic growth in
Botswana. In literature it has been very unclear of how the liberalisation of exchange controls
impacts economic growth as there has been mixed results. Botswana liberalised its exchange
controls in 1999 and to date there has been no empirical study that assesses how their
liberalisation has impacted Botswana’s growth. This study attempts to fill in the gap. It uses
quarterly data from 1981 until 2006. Cointegration and VECM methods are used for
estimation. The results show that exchange control liberalisation had no impact on economic
growth in Botswana for the period studied. Botswana’s government needs to try and develop
policies that will promote sectors that spur economic growth. Policies imposed should be in
the form which enhance growth such as increasing capital stock and human capital in order
to spur economic growth.