Botswana Districts and their Capitals

Botswana’s Administrative District System

Botswana is a unitary state whose territorial administration is structured to balance centralized governance with effective local administration. The country is divided into administrative districts and urban districts, which together form the foundation of local government. These districts are administered through local authorities, including district councils, city councils, and town councils, which are responsible for service delivery, local development planning, and community administration.

At the core of this system are Botswana’s ten main administrative districts, each with a designated capital that serves as the administrative and political center of the district. These districts vary significantly in population density, geographic size, and economic activity, reflecting Botswana’s diverse physical and demographic landscape.

Administrative Districts of Botswana

Botswana has ten administrative (rural) districts, which collectively cover the majority of the country’s land area. These districts are primarily rural, although many contain large villages and growing semi-urban settlements.

Below is a detailed overview of each district, including its capital, population, land area, and population density based on recent census estimates.

Districts of Botswana: Capitals, Population, and Area

Administrative DistrictCapitalPopulation (2022)Area (km²)Population Density (/km²)
Southern DistrictKanye221,92828,4707.80
South-East DistrictRamotswa111,4401,78062.61
Kweneng DistrictMolepolole387,98331,10012.48
Kgatleng DistrictMochudi121,8827,96015.31
Central DistrictSerowe652,085147,7304.41
North-East DistrictMasunga69,3525,12013.55
Chobe DistrictKasane28,74320,8001.38
North-West DistrictMaun198,436109,1301.82
Ghanzi DistrictGhanzi56,555117,9100.48
Kgalagadi DistrictTsabong58,857105,2000.56

Key Characteristics of the Administrative Districts

Central District

The Central District is both the largest by area and the most populous district in Botswana. Its capital, Serowe, is one of the country’s most historically significant settlements and a major administrative hub. Despite its large population, the district has a relatively low population density due to its vast land area.

South-East District

The South-East District is the smallest by land area but one of the most densely populated districts. Its proximity to the capital city region contributes to its high population density, with Ramotswa serving as the administrative center.

Kweneng and Southern Districts

These districts contain some of Botswana’s largest traditional villages, including Molepolole and Kanye, which function as important cultural, political, and economic centers within their respective districts.

North-West and Chobe Districts

These districts are notable for their ecological significance and tourism-driven economies. Maun, the capital of the North-West District, is widely regarded as the gateway to the Okavango Delta, while Kasane, the capital of Chobe District, supports tourism linked to Chobe National Park.

Ghanzi and Kgalagadi Districts

These districts are among the least densely populated in the country. They are characterized by arid and semi-arid environments, pastoral livelihoods, and dispersed settlements, with Ghanzi and Tsabong acting as essential administrative and service centers.

Urban Districts in Botswana

In addition to the ten administrative districts, Botswana has seven urban districts, which are not classified as rural administrative districts but are instead governed by city or town councils. These urban districts include:

  • Cities
    • Gaborone
    • Francistown
  • Towns
    • Lobatse
    • Jwaneng
    • Selibe Phikwe
    • Orapa
    • Sowa Town

These urban districts are administratively separate from the rural districts and are designed to address the governance needs of densely populated urban and industrial areas.

Botswana Districts and Their Capitals

Sub-Districts

To improve administrative efficiency, Botswana further subdivides some large districts into sub-districts. Sub-districts facilitate decentralized service delivery, especially in geographically extensive districts such as Central, Kweneng, and Southern. While they do not function as independent districts, they play a critical role in day-to-day governance and public administration.

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