How to invest outside Botswana

Good morning, let’s get into it!

If you have ever been interested in investing in offshore assets or markets, it’s actually possible. With the local brokers and other fund managers, you can get access to the JSE, NYSE, TSX, and many others.

1. The Full-Service Broker: Imara Capital Securities

Best for: Investors who want human support and access to specific global stocks.

My friend and I recently reached out to Imara to clarify exactly what they can do for local investors. The good news? The world is open.

What they do:

Imara is a traditional stockbroker. You don't just download an app; you have a relationship with it. They execute trades on your behalf.

Where can they take you?

Beyond the BSE, Imara confirmed they can trade on:

• JSE (Johannesburg Stock Exchange)

• TSX (Toronto Stock Exchange)

• ASX (Australian Securities Exchange)

• NYSE (New York Stock Exchange)

How it works (The "Nominee" Structure):

When you buy international shares through a local broker like Imara, you usually don’t open a direct account with the New York Stock Exchange. Instead, they use a Nominee Account.

• In plain English: Imara buys the shares and holds them in their name on your behalf. You are the legal beneficial owner, and any dividends are repatriated and credited to you, but the paperwork stays simple.

The "Debit Order" Catch:

Imara does not run debit orders. They prefer you to set up a scheduled transfer (standing instruction) with your bank.

• Why? As they frankly put it, they are "weary of longstanding instructions to buy the same stock" blindly. They prefer you to review your instructions monthly, so you don't keep buying a stock that is crashing.

2. The Asset Manager: Allan Gray Botswana

Best for: Wealth builders who want "set it and forget it" growth.

If picking individual stocks (like deciding whether to buy Amazon or Google today) sounds stressful, Allan Gray is the solution.

What they do:

They are an investment management company. Instead of you buying shares, you give them your money, and their professional team buys a basket of shares for you.

How to invest offshore with them:

You don't need a broker. You go directly to their office in the Gaborone CBD.

• The Offshore Feeders: You invest Pula into their local funds (like the Allan Gray Botswana Balanced Fund), and a portion of that is legally allowed to be invested offshore.

• The Offshore Platform: For higher amounts, they can help you move money directly into their foreign currency funds (denominated in US Dollars or Euros), giving you protection against Pula devaluation.

3. The DIY App: EasyEquities

Best for: Tech-savvy investors starting with smaller amounts.

This is the popular "retail" option for those who want to manage everything from their phone.

What they do:

EasyEquities is a low-cost online platform. They strip away the fancy broker meetings and give you a simple "Buy" button.

How it works for Batswana:

Although they are South African, they accept citizens of Botswana.

• The Hurdle: The sign-up is manual. You generally have to email their support desk with your Passport and a bank confirmation letter to get verified.

• The Benefit: Once you are in, you can buy fractional shares. You don't need $200 to buy a Microsoft share; you can buy $10 worth of Microsoft.

Summary: Which one is for you?

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always conduct your own research or consult a registered financial advisor before investing.

Source:

Allan Gray Botswana

Imara Capital

EasyEquities