Formally established in 1989, the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) trace its humble beginnings to when it was known as Botswana Share Market (BSM). At that time there was no formal stock exchange in Botswana and the BSM traded as an informal market with only 5 listed entities and a single broking firm.
In order to encourage foreign investors to botswana, an interim exchange committee was set up in october 1990 with representatives from the private and public sector, including the secretary of the Zimbabwe stock exchange.
In september 1994, the legislation to transform the BSE into a full exchange was passed by Parliament paving the way for the establishment of the Botswana Stock Exchange where trading opened in November 1995.
Equities, bonds, Exchange Trade Products and Commercial Papers are traded on BSE.