Top 32 Book Publishing Companies in Botswana — Updated 2025

Botswana’s book ecosystem has grown steadily over the last two decades. While the market is still small relative to its larger southern African neighbours, it’s vibrant and diverse, comprising government and university presses, long-established printers with publishing arms, specialist cultural imprints, and an increasing number of hybrid/self-publishing and ghostwriting services that help authors reach the market.

1. Ghostwriter Inside

Who they are: An international ghostwriting and author services company that offers end-to-end writing, editing, and publishing services for non-fiction, memoir, and genre fiction authors. They operate globally and provide authors in Botswana with manuscript development, ghostwriting, editing, and paid “done-for-you” publishing packages.

Why choose: You want a hands-on, project-managed service that can take your idea from outline to finished manuscript, and you prefer working with a team (rather than negotiating with multiple freelancers). Ghostwriter Inside is positioned as a one-stop solution for authors who value convenience and professional writing support.

Strengths: Full-service ghostwriting + editing + basic publishing packages; rapid turnaround options; useful if you’re an author with a story but limited time or writing experience. (Because Ghostwriter Inside is an international service, check contract terms — rights, credits, and royalties — carefully.)

2. Printing & Publishing Company Botswana (PPCB) — Gaborone

Who they are: Botswana’s largest and oldest large-format printing/publishing company, established in the 1970s. PPCB provides commercial printing, binding, and book production and acts as a publishing partner for institutional and trade titles.

Why choose: You need reliable local printing, high-volume runs, or a publisher/printer with deep production experience in Botswana (government reports, school textbooks, trade books).

Strengths: Full production infrastructure (offset presses, binding), strong distribution links for printed educational and institutional material inside Botswana, decades of operational experience, and solid local contacts for distribution and retail placement.

3. Macmillan Education Botswana

Who they are: The well-known regional educational publisher with a Botswana arm (part of the Macmillan group focused on Southern Africa). They publish school textbooks, teacher guides, and curriculum-aligned learning materials.

Why choose: Your manuscript is an education resource, textbook, or curriculum-aligned learning material intended for schools and institutions.

Strengths: Curriculum expertise, teacher support materials, editorial rigor tailored to Southern African syllabi; strong reputation that eases adoption in schools.

4. Pula Press (The Botswana Society imprint)

Who they are: The Botswana Society / Pula Press is a respected local imprint that publishes scholarly, historical, and cultural books that document Botswana’s identity, heritage, and research. They often co-publish academic and historical works.

Why choose: Your work is academic, historical, cultural, or aimed at documenting Botswana’s society — think regional history, culture, development, or well-researched non-fiction.

Strengths: Academic credibility, editorial oversight for scholarly works, established relationship with local historians and researchers; good fit for authors wanting institutional legitimacy

5. Government Printing & Publishing Services (GPPS)

Who they are: The government’s official printing/publishing arm — primary publisher/printer for government documents, official reports, public information, and many educational support materials.

Why choose: Your project is an official report, policy paper, educational ministry curriculum, or any document requiring government imprimatur or official distribution.

Strengths: Official channels for government distribution, capacity for secure and large-volume printing, experience with public-sector tender procedures. Good if you need official standing.

6. Lightbooks Publishers (Gaborone and regional)

Who they are: A regional independent publisher that focuses on academic, cultural, and language materials relevant to Botswana and southern Africa. (Listed in regional publisher compilations.)

Why choose: You’ve written a culturally-focused non-fiction book, a language resource, or academic monograph with a Southern African audience.

Strengths: Regional editorial expertise, targeted audience reach for academic and cultural readers, and sensitivity to local languages and context.

7. Medi / Medi Roots Publishing

Who they are: A hybrid publisher and project manager that offers editing, layout, printing co-ordination, and small-press publishing services — useful for authors who want a hands-on local partner.

Why choose: You want a hybrid partner who can manage everything from editorial to print and online retail, without surrendering all rights to a traditional publisher.

Strengths: Flexible project-based services, experience with local languages and small-run printing, suitable for niche non-fiction and local-interest titles.

8. Diamond Educational Publishers / MathDummies-style educational houses

Who they are: Local/small specialist educational publishers (some small houses brand themselves around STEM or maths tutoring materials). They appear in industry lists of Botswana educational publishers.

Why choose: Your book is a supplementary educational guide (maths, science) or workbook targeted at Botswana learners.

Strengths: Curriculum-oriented, practical exercises and exam-focused materials, quicker to market for supplementary educational content.

9. University of Botswana publishing initiatives / academic units

Who they are: University presses are sometimes informal (academic units, journals, and project-based publishing) or formal imprints issuing research monographs, theses, and academic textbooks. The University of Botswana and its departments periodically publish research and textbooks.

Why choose: Your book is academic research, a university textbook, or a thesis converted into a book.

Strengths: Academic peer review, institutional credibility, access to campus libraries, and research networks. Best for scholarly authors.

10. Mmegi Publishing House (Dikgang Publishing)

Who they are: Mmegi (one of Botswana’s leading newspapers) and affiliated publishing operations produce non-fiction, reports, and print material tied to journalism and current-affairs publishing.

Why choose: Your work is journalistic, investigative, current-affairs, or reportage, and you want a publisher with newsroom credibility.

Strengths: Editorial skills for current-affairs titles, access to journalists and media channels to promote topical books.

11. Van Schaik / Academic booksellers with publishing services (Botswana presence)

Who they are: Van Schaik is a longstanding academic bookseller/publisher in southern Africa; they have distribution/publishing arrangements relevant to Botswana universities and colleges.

Why choose: You want academic distribution and bookstore placement in university environments.

Strengths: University market access, academic retail networks, and textbook placement experience.

12. Exclusive Books (Botswana retail + publishing services)

Who they are: Exclusive Books is a retailer with country operations in southern Africa and sometimes works with publishers for local distribution; in some industry lists, they appear as a trade partner for local titles.

Why choose: You need strong retail distribution and marketing presence in Botswana shopping centres and book events.

Strengths: Retail reach, event hosting (book launches, signings), and consumer-facing visibility. Good for trade titles aimed at general readers

13. Motswana / Kalahari / Small local imprints (Francistown & Gaborone)

Who they are: Small local presses focusing on Setswana-language literature, poetry, fiction, and local cultural works. Several micro-imprints appear in publisher directories and local listings.

Why choose: You’re writing in Setswana or creating culturally specific fiction/poetry and want a publisher sympathetic to local language publishing.

Strengths: Language expertise, community ties, local distribution channels, and cultural authenticity.

14. Okavango Literary Press & other literary micro-presses

Who they are: Smaller literary presses that publish fiction, short stories, and poetry with a regional focus; they show up in recent compilations and literary directories.

Why choose: Your manuscript is literary fiction, short stories, or poetry, and you want a small press that champions craft and editorial attention.

Strengths: Hands-on editorial attention, literary networks, and boutique marketing (festivals, readings). Good for authors who prioritise craft over royalties.

15. Kingdom Publishers / Maruapula / Small hybrid houses

Who they are: Boutique local publishers (some operate from Facebook pages or small offices) offering editing, design, and small-run printing for local authors. Examples and contact pages appear in social listings and local directories.

Why choose: You want a local boutique partner for a limited print-run, church or community distribution, or small memoirs and local-interest titles.

Strengths: Local contacts, flexibility, lower minimum print runs, and community-based promotional channels.

16. Pentagon Publishers / Innovation & trade imprints

Who they are: Trade and niche imprints that serve business, technical, or industry-specific publishing needs. Several appear in aggregated lists of Botswana publishers.

Why choose: You have an industry manual, technical guide, business report, or trade title.

Strengths: Niche marketing channels, B2B distribution, and the ability to produce technically accurate manuals and handbooks

17. Tsodilo Publishing House / Innovation Publishers (specialist imprints)

Who they are: Regional specialist imprints that publish topics such as mining, tourism, local history, and environmental guides — relevant due to Botswana’s mining and eco-tourism sectors. These imprints show up in publisher lists and directories.

Why choose: Your manuscript is a field guide, tourism title, mining industry report, or environmental study.

Strengths: Subject-matter expertise and direct access to industry audiences in Botswana and the region.

18. Tshiamo Press / Mosako / Ahava — community & religious publishers

Who they are: Small specialist presses focusing on children’s books, religious material, and community education; frequently local and church-affiliated. They appear in local directories and listing pages.

Why choose: Children’s books, church materials, Sunday-school curricula, devotional literature, or community education resources.

Strengths: Deep connections with congregations and schools, small-run printing, and targeted distribution to community groups.

19. Professional Ghostwriters / Cloud GhostWriting / Ghostwriting LLC — local/regionally based writing services

Who they are: Local and regional ghostwriting and author services firms appearing in Botswana publisher listings — they help authors who prefer paid writing assistance and managed publishing packages.

Why choose: You want help with manuscript drafting, structure, or you need a managed publishing route, but prefer local/regional contact.

Strengths: Hands-on manuscript development, interviews, and writing support; suitable for time-pressed professionals and leaders seeking memoirs or thought-leadership books. (As always, confirm credit/royalty arrangements before signing.

20. Local distributors & book trade partners (Exclusive Books, Van Schaik, independent retailers)

Who they are: Not publishers per se, but vital partners: retail and distribution networks that determine discoverability — Exclusive Books outlets, Van Schaik, indie bookstores, and online sellers that stock Botswana titles. They are essential contacts for authors and publishers wanting shelf presence.

Why choose: You want to prioritise distribution and point-of-sale access in Botswana’s retail scene.

Strengths: Retail visibility, event hosting (book launches), and connections to schools and universities for textbook placement

21. Book Writing Inc. / Book Writing Co.

Who they are: A regional author-services and small-press operator that appears on several 2025 lists of Botswana publishers and Gaborone-focused publishing roundups. They offer manuscript development, editing, and small-run publishing packages.
Why choose: You want a managed publishing package that helps prepare a trade or non-fiction title for market without dealing with multiple vendors.
Strengths: End-to-end services for first-time authors, practical packages for trade books and memoirs, and a local distribution focus for Botswana and neighbouring markets.

22. Alpha Book Publisher

Who they are: A smaller independent publishing service that appears in publisher lists and local business directories, offering editing, layout, and print coordination.  
Why choose: You want a budget-friendly local imprint for a straightforward non-fiction or community title.
Strengths: Affordable packages, faster turnaround for short-run printing, and community-distribution networks.

23. Mopipi Publishers

Who they are: A Botswana-based small press named in several aggregator lists; focuses on local-interest titles and school supplements.
Why choose: You have a book about Botswana communities, local schooling, or a short-run project for circulation inside schools and libraries.
Strengths: Local market knowledge, relationships with schools and community organisations, ability to do low-volume runs.

24. Mahube Publishers

Who they are: A boutique press appearing on 2025 compilation pages; often associated with community education and local-language materials.
Why choose: Your manuscript is community education, development-driven, or targeted at Setswana-speaking readers.
Strengths: Cultural and language sensitivity, community distribution channels, and small-batch publishing competence.

25. Botshelo Press

Who they are: Local publisher cited in multiple lists — typically publishes devotional, children’s, and community-oriented titles.
Why choose: You want a publisher experienced with religious, children’s, or community education materials.
Strengths: Church and community networks, experience in producing accessible children’s and devotional publications.

26. Naledi / Naledi Publishing (regional imprint)

Who they are: A regional imprint name that appears in Botswana-focused directories and trade-aggregate lists; often used by small independent publishers.
Why choose: You’re producing a regional trade title or short-run educational resource and want a nameplate with a modest footprint.
Strengths: Quick editorial cycles, regional distribution links via booksellers and academic outlets.

27. Dikgomo / Dikgomo Publishing

Who they are: A micro-press that shows in several 2025 aggregator lists; typically works with local authors for memoirs, short fiction, and community histories.
Why choose: You want a hyper-local publisher to handle family histories, memoirs, or short story collections.
Strengths: Personalised editorial attention, low minimum print runs, and community connections for grassroots promotion.

28. Mosako / Mosako Publishers

Who they are: Small press/imprint listed across Botswana publisher roundups; commonly publishes children’s, language, and cultural titles.
Why choose: Your project is children’s literature, language learning, or culturally-specific storytelling.
Strengths: Expertise in children’s formats and educational tie-ins, strong local-language editorial awareness.

29. Gaborone Publishing Group

Who they are: A full-service local publisher described in business directories and roundup posts as an imprint serving academic, professional, and general-interest books.
Why choose: You want a traditional publisher with editorial, design, and distribution capacity for professional titles.
Strengths: Editorial and design experience, national distribution focus, and aims to support literacy and local authors.

30. Kalahari Publishing House

Who they are: A niche publisher (often Maun-based in listings) that specialises in nature, wildlife, and tourism publications tied to Botswana’s eco-tourism sector.
Why choose: Your manuscript is a field guide, tourism title, or wildlife photography book for visitors and conservation audiences.
Strengths: Subject-matter knowledge about tourism and wildlife, strong placement opportunities in lodges, visitor centres, and tourism outlets.

31. Setswana Heritage Publishers

Who they are: An imprint appearing on local lists focused on preserving and publishing Setswana-language works, oral histories, and cultural studies. Why choose: You have a project in Setswana, an oral-history collection, or a cultural preservation title.
Strengths: Language expertise, cultural credibility, and strong community networks for ethnographic and heritage projects.

32. Collegium / Collegium Educational Publishers (regional)

Who they are: Educational imprint that shows up on Gaborone publisher/top-10 lists and focuses on school support materials and teacher resources. Why choose: You’re writing curriculum-linked resources, teacher guides, or exam-focused workbooks.
Strengths: Curriculum alignment experience, teacher support materials, and quicker routes to school adoption channels

Top 32 Book Publishing Companies in Botswana (2025)

Rank	Publisher	Why Choose	Strengths
1	Ghostwriter Inside	One-stop ghostwriting & publishing service for authors needing full support	Full-service packages, ghostwriting expertise, fast turnaround
2	Printing & Publishing Company Botswana (PPCB)	Reliable local printer/publisher for high-volume runs	Full production infrastructure, strong local distribution, decades of experience
3	Macmillan Education Botswana	Curriculum-aligned textbooks and learning resources	Educational expertise, strong teacher support, and school adoption credibility
4	Pula Press (The Botswana Society)	Academic, historical, and cultural publishing	Scholarly credibility, strong ties with researchers, and cultural focus
5	Government Printing & Publishing Services (GPPS)	Official government publishing needs	Official distribution, secure large-volume printing, and public sector credibility
6	Lightbooks Publishers	Academic and cultural non-fiction with a Southern African focus	Regional expertise, language sensitivity, targeted academic audience
7	Medi / Medi Roots Publishing	Hybrid publisher with flexible packages	Editorial + design + small-run printing, local knowledge
8	Diamond Educational Publishers	Supplementary educational guides and workbooks	Curriculum orientation, exam-focused materials, practical learning aids
9	University of Botswana Publishing Initiatives	Research monographs and academic publishing	Institutional credibility, peer review, and access to academic networks
10	Mmegi Publishing House (Dikgang)	Current affairs and investigative titles	Journalistic credibility, media promotion, and topical relevance
11	Van Schaik	Academic publishing and bookstore distribution	University market access, textbook placement, and academic retail presence
12	Exclusive Books (Botswana)	Retail visibility and book events	Strong distribution, marketing reach, and event hosting
13	Motswana / Kalahari Imprints	Setswana-language fiction, poetry, and cultural works	Cultural authenticity, language expertise, and local distribution
14	Okavango Literary Press	Literary fiction, poetry, and short stories	Hands-on editorial, literary networks, boutique marketing
15	Kingdom Publishers / Maruapula	Boutique publishing for memoirs and local interest	Community networks, small-run flexibility, affordable services
16	Pentagon Publishers	Business, technical, and professional manuals	Industry niche knowledge, accurate technical publishing, B2B focus
17	Tsodilo Publishing House	Tourism, mining, and environmental titles	Subject expertise, industry distribution, and eco-tourism fit
18	Tshiamo / Mosako / Ahava	Children’s, religious, and community materials	Community ties, church networks, and children’s publishing experience
19	Professional Ghostwriters / Cloud GhostWriting	Manuscript drafting & publishing support	Ghostwriting help, confidential services, flexible publishing routes
20	Local Retail/Distribution Partners	Essential for discoverability and sales	Retail presence, book launches, school/university access
21	Book Writing Inc. / Book Writing Co.	Full author service for trade/non-fiction books	End-to-end services, practical packages, and local distribution focus
22	Alpha Book Publisher	Affordable independent publishing services	Budget-friendly, fast turnaround, accessible packages
23	Mopipi Publishers	Local-interest titles and school supplements	Community ties, small-run capacity, school-friendly
24	Mahube Publishers	Community education and Setswana-language focus	Language sensitivity, cultural materials, grassroots outreach
25	Botshelo Press	Children’s and devotional books	Church/community distribution, children’s publishing expertise
26	Naledi Publishing	Regional imprint for trade and educational works	Quick editorial cycles, regional reach, school tie-ins
27	Dikgomo Publishing	Memoirs, short fiction, and local histories	Personalised editorial, small-run printing, community focus
28	Mosako Publishers	Children’s and cultural titles	Children’s book expertise, cultural relevance, and accessible materials
29	Gaborone Publishing Group	Academic and general publishing	Professional editing/design, literacy promotion, national reach
30	Kalahari Publishing House	Nature, wildlife, and tourism publications	Tourism/wildlife expertise, strong eco-tourism placement, niche subject matter
31	Setswana Heritage Publishers	Oral histories and Setswana cultural works	Heritage preservation, cultural credibility, and community networks
32	Collegium Educational Publishers	Teacher resources and exam-focused workbooks	Curriculum alignment, teacher support, and faster school adoption

Challenges and Opportunities in Botswana’s Publishing Industry

Publishing in Botswana is both promising and challenging. On one hand, the market is small compared to South Africa or Nigeria, which limits print runs and retail outlets. On the other hand, this creates opportunities for niche authors to stand out, especially in areas like Setswana literature, eco-tourism writing, and educational publishing. The growing presence of ghostwriting and hybrid publishing services means authors no longer have to rely solely on traditional presses; they can choose faster, more flexible routes. The challenge is balancing quality control and distribution with the freedom of self-publishing.

How to Choose the Right Publisher in Botswana (2025 Guide)

Selecting the right publisher is about aligning your manuscript with the strengths of each publishing house:

1. Match Genre with Speciality
   • Textbooks & educational: Macmillan Education Botswana, Collegium, PPCB.
   • Academic/cultural: Pula Press, University of Botswana outlets.
   • Fiction/poetry: Okavango Literary Press, Motswana/Kalahari micro-presses.
   • Memoirs/business: Ghostwriter Inside, Medi Roots, hybrid houses.
2. Check Rights and Royalties
   • Traditional publishers often take rights but provide marketing & distribution.
   • Ghostwriting/hybrid services let you retain more control but charge upfront fees.
3. Evaluate Distribution Power
   • For broad visibility, choose publishers with retail links (Exclusive Books, Van Schaik).
   • For community-focused works, micro-presses with local networks are better.
4. Assess Production Quality
   • Ask for sample books they’ve printed. Check binding, cover design, and editing.
5. Ask About Marketing Support
   • A strong publisher will help arrange launches, school placements, or press coverage.
6. Budget & Timeline
   • If speed matters, hybrid/self-publishing can get you to market faster than traditional publishing.

Conclusion

Botswana’s publishing industry in 2025 is a dynamic blend of tradition and innovation. Established publishers like Macmillan Education Botswana and Pula Press uphold strong editorial and academic standards, while newer hybrid and ghostwriting services empower first-time authors with faster, more flexible publishing options.

For authors, the most important step is choosing a publisher that aligns with their goals — whether that’s reaching classrooms, preserving cultural heritage, or sharing personal stories. By understanding each publisher’s strengths, asking the right questions, and preparing a clear plan for distribution, Botswana’s authors can turn manuscripts into impactful books that shape readers both locally and beyond.

FAQs

1: Can international publishers handle Botswana manuscripts?

Yes. Many authors in Botswana work with international ghostwriting firms or South African publishers for a wider reach. But for school adoption and local relevance, Botswana-based publishers are often a better fit.

2: What are the main genres that publishers in Botswana focus on?

Education (textbooks/workbooks), academic research, cultural and historical works, and children’s books dominate. Fiction and poetry are handled mostly by small presses and literary imprints.

3: Do ghostwriting services actually help in Botswana?

Yes. Firms like Ghostwriter Inside and local agencies help busy professionals create publishable manuscripts. They’re especially useful for memoirs, business books, or thought-leadership projects.

4: How can I get my book into Botswana’s bookstores?

Work with publishers tied to distribution networks (Exclusive Books, Van Schaik). If you self-publish, partner with local bookstores, and leverage online platforms.

5: What’s the biggest challenge authors face in Botswana?

Distribution and marketing. The market is small, and without retail visibility, your book may struggle. That’s why partnering with the right publisher (or hybrid service) is key.