Flag of Botswana
countryThe flag of Botswana was adopted on September 30, 1966. Light blue field with black and white horizontal centre stripe. It uses 3 colours: light blue, white and black. The official proportions are 2:3.
Hoist
Ratio 2:3
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Botswana |
|---|---|
| Country | Botswana |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Botswana |
| Capital | Gaborone |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Southern Africa |
| ISO Country Code | BW / BWA |
| Internet Domain | .bw |
| Calling Code | +267 |
| Currency | Botswana pula (BWP) |
| National Language(s) | English, Tswana |
| Demonym | Motswana |
| Area | 582,000 km² |
| Population | 2.7 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Botswana |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | September 30, 1966 |
| First Used | 1966 |
| Current Version Adopted | September 30, 1966 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Light Blue, White, Black |
| Design Type | Light blue field with black and white horizontal centre stripe |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Botswana |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light Blue | #75AADB | 117, 170, 219 | 47, 22, 0, 14 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Black | #000000 | 0, 0, 0 | 0, 0, 0, 100 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Light Blue colour | Represents water and rain — the national motto is Pula, “let there be rain” |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents racial harmony |
| Black colour | Represents racial harmony |
| Black and white stripe | Harmony between the country’s peoples, and the stripes of the zebra, the national animal |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1966 | The design was first used |
| 1966-09-30 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Width | 2 units (hoist) |
| Length | 3 units (fly) |
Botswana Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Botswana
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 60 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | September 30, 1966 |
| Oldest Version | 1966 |
| Most Common Color | Light Blue |
| Similar Flags | Azerbaijan, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, El Salvador |
| Unique Feature | Light blue field with black and white horizontal centre stripe |
Other horizontal tricolour flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Botswana
- The black band fimbriated in white on a light blue field is a direct statement about racial harmony, adopted at independence in 1966 in pointed contrast to neighbouring South Africa.
- The light blue stands for water and rain — the national motto is Pula, meaning rain, and it is also the name of the currency in a country that is mostly desert.
- Botswana's flag deliberately avoids the Pan-African red, gold and green, which most of its neighbours use.
- The flag of Botswana was officially adopted on September 30, 1966.
- The flag in its present form is 60 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Light blue field with black and white horizontal centre stripe.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: light blue, white and black.
- The light blue on the flag stands for water and rain — the national motto is Pula, “let there be rain”.
- The white on the flag stands for racial harmony.
- The black on the flag stands for racial harmony.
- Black and white stripe: Harmony between the country’s peoples, and the stripes of the zebra, the national animal.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal tricolour" family, shared with 32 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Azerbaijan, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba and El Salvador.
- Botswana became independent on 30 September 1966 from the United Kingdom.
- Football is the most popular sport, with athletics the strongest internationally.
- The national animal is the plains zebra, which gives the flag its black and white bands.
- The national anthem is "Fatshe leno la rona".
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Botswana
When was the flag of Botswana adopted?
The flag of Botswana was officially adopted on September 30, 1966.
What do the colours of the flag of Botswana mean?
Light blue for water and rain — the national motto is Pula, “let there be rain”, white for racial harmony and black for racial harmony.
When did Botswana gain independence?
Botswana became independent on 30 September 1966 from the United Kingdom.
What is the national sport of Botswana?
Football is the most popular sport, with athletics the strongest internationally.
What do the symbols on the flag of Botswana represent?
Black and white stripe — Harmony between the country’s peoples, and the stripes of the zebra, the national animal.
What are the proportions of the flag of Botswana?
The official ratio is 2:3, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 82 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Botswana?
The national anthem is "Fatshe leno la rona".
When is the national day of Botswana?
It falls on 30 September, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Botswana?
The national animal is the plains zebra, which gives the flag its black and white bands.
What is the capital of Botswana?
The capital is Gaborone. The currency is the Botswana pula (BWP) and the language spoken is English, Tswana.