Botswana Geoscience Institute
Botswana Geoscience Institute (BGI) is a Botswana government parastatal that serves as the statutory custodian of national geoscience information, providing geological mapping, mineral exploration data, laboratory testing, drilling, and seismic monitoring to mining companies, government agencies, farmers, and researchers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersLobatse, Botswana
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Botswana Geoscience Institute does
Botswana Geoscience Institute (BGI) is a government parastatal established by Act of Parliament (No. 29 of 2014) and operating under the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security. Headquartered in Lobatse with a metallurgical laboratory in Selebi-Phikwe, BGI is the statutory custodian of national geoscience information, succeeding the former Department of Geological Survey. The Institute began earnest operations in June 2017 and today employs 91 staff delivering geoscientific research, mineral exploration support, geotechnical assessments, groundwater monitoring, seismicity monitoring via 21 real-time stations, and laboratory testing services.
BGI's core technical platform comprises four integrated web applications: the Geoscience Publications and Report Portal (library management), the Botswana Geoscience Portal (interactive GIS-based data search and overlay), BoreHive (national borehole information catalog), and the Mining Cadastre System (mineral rights management). Underlying these portals is the National Integrated Geoscience Information System (NIGIS), a corporate data warehouse funded by NDP 11. The Institute also operates a Remote Sensing Center established through a long-standing JOGMEC partnership (since 2008), and laboratories equipped with ICP-MS, XRF, ICP-OES, X-Ray Diffraction, and Ion Chromatography instrumentation. In 2025, BGI expanded into metallurgical analysis with the launch of a new state-of-the-art laboratory and began offering ICP-MS testing for Rare Earth Element analysis.
BGI's revenue model combines annual government subvention from the Government of Botswana with project funding through National Development Plan 11 and unit-priced sales of geoscience data products, laboratory services, and drilling services. Commercial pricing is denominated in Botswana Pula on a pay-as-you-go basis, with maps ranging from BWP45 to BWP500+, reports from BWP100 to BWP850, and laboratory tests from BWP45 to BWP500 per sample. Customers span mining and exploration companies (primary), government agencies, farmers, urban planners, academic institutions, and research consultants. Distribution occurs through the e-services online shop, service request forms, web portals accessible globally, and government procurement channels.
Botswana Geoscience Institute firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Botswana Geoscience Institute
- Legal name
- Botswana Geoscience Institute
- Website
- https://bgi.org.bw
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Botswana Geoscience Institute (BGI) is a Botswana government parastatal that serves as the statutory custodian of national geoscience information, providing geological mapping, mineral exploration data, laboratory testing, drilling, and seismic monitoring to mining companies, government agencies, farmers, and researchers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Botswana Geoscience Institute industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Geoscience Research and Services
- NAICS
- Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mineral Exploration & Geoscience Services (Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Resource Modeling) (IMAKAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Geotechnical & Subsurface Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAB), Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms (BPAMANAM), Alternative Data Providers (Web, Satellite, Geolocation, ESG Signals) (FSAFAIAH), Earth Science & Geoscience Programs (EDAMABAI)
Keywords
Where Botswana Geoscience Institute is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lobatse
- HQ country
- Botswana
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices2 records
Markets served
Botswana Geoscience Institute business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Government Subvention: BGI is financed by Government of Botswana through an annual subvention in line with the Institute's needs and Strategic Plan.
- Geoscience Data and Information Sales: Sale of publications, reports, maps, geophysical, geochemistry, and geotechnical data. Pricing includes interpretation reports (BWP850), bulletins (BWP650), and various geological maps at different scales.
- Laboratory Services: Comprehensive laboratory testing services including geochemical analysis, aggregates testing, mineral identification, water quality testing, and metallurgical analysis.
- Project Funding: BGI generates additional funds through projects funded by government development budgets (e.g., NDP 11 projects).
- Drilling Services: Drilling services focused on mineral exploration, core drilling, stratigraphic drilling, water borehole drilling, and drilling for geotechnical studies.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Geological Maps - Various scales from 1:125,000 to 1:1,000,000 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Geoscience Reports and Bulletins |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Laboratory Services - Geotechnical Tests |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Laboratory Services - Geochemical Analysis |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Laboratory Services - Water Quality |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Core-Shed Services |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Library and Data Services |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | High Resolution Airborne Magnetic Data |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Botswana Geoscience Institute product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Botswana Geoscience Institute is a national geoscience research and services organization that functions as the custodian of Botswana's geoscience information. It delivers geological mapping, geotechnical assessments, groundwater and seismic monitoring, drilling, mineral resources evaluation, and advanced laboratory testing (ICP-MS, XRF, ICP-OES). It also distributes geoscience data, maps, and reports through multiple web portals and an online shop.
Product overview
Botswana Geoscience Institute (BGI) operates as a geoscientific research and services organization offering a portfolio of web-based data portals and laboratory/geoscientific services. The core digital products include four integrated web applications: the Geoscience Publications and Report Portal (library management for geoscientific reports), the Botswana Geoscience Portal (interactive GIS platform for data access), BoreHive (borehole information catalog), and the Mining Cadastre System. Supporting these portals are field services including geological mapping, geotechnical assessments, groundwater and seismicity monitoring, drilling services, and mineral resources evaluation. Laboratory services encompass geochemical analysis via ICP-MS, XRF, and ICP-OES, with a newly launched state-of-the-art metallurgical laboratory in Selebi-Phikwe. BGI also operates a Remote Sensing Center for satellite image analysis and maintains the National Integrated Geoscience Information System (NIGIS) as its corporate data warehouse. All products are available through BGI's e-commerce shop for digital data downloads.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Geoscience Publications and Report Portal Web platform that manages collections, publications, and data aggregation; serves as a repository for geoscientific reports, licenses, mineral resources, bibliographies, books, and journals. Supports consultants, researchers, and businesses.
- Botswana Geoscience Portal Interactive GIS platform with web maps for multidisciplinary geoscience data search and access, enabling map creation, data download, and overlay of diverse datasets for prospecting companies, miners, researchers, and consultants.
- BoreHive Exploration and Water Borehole Portal
Quantifiable outcome
- Identified four (4) quarries in Serowe, Palapye, and Mahalapye areas for manufactured sand production to reduce environmental impact of river sand mining
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Botswana Geoscience Institute
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Botswana Geoscience Institute technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Botswana Geoscience Institute partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST)coreMoU signed for collaboration on Research and Development, research commercialisation, innovation and growth in technology. Both parties intend to advance Botswana towards a knowledge-based economy.
- Botswana GovernmentcorePrimary government stakeholder providing annual subvention funding and policy direction. BGI operates as a parastatal under the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security.
- Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC)coreLong-standing partnership since 2008 involving establishment of Remote Sensing Center in Lobatse. JOGMEC carries out technical projects in geologic remote sensing and provides training programs. Agreement involves other SADC member countries.
- University of BotswanacoreAcademic partnership for research collaboration and skills development in geosciences.
- Botswana Institute for Development (BITRI)corePartnership for technology research and innovation in geoscience applications.
- Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO)minorInternational partnership for seismic monitoring and verification activities.
- International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS)minorGlobal geological sciences organization for international collaboration and standards.
- Organisation of African Geological Surveys (OAGS)coreRegional African organization for geological surveys collaboration across the continent.
- Paterson, Grant and Watson Limited (PGW)coreToronto-based Canadian company partnered with BGI for the P10 million Aeromagnetic data Project. Part of consortium including WRC and Sky Tract for interpretation and assessment of Northern Botswana aeromagnetic data.
- Water Resources Consultants (Pty) Limited (WRC)coreBotswana company in consortium for Northern Botswana aeromagnetic data project providing groundwater and water resources expertise.
- Sky Tract (Pty) LimitedcoreBotswana company in consortium for Northern Botswana aeromagnetic data project.
- NRG Exploration CCcoreConducted the Nosop-Ncojane Block aeromagnetic survey for BGI. Deliverables include Final Survey Report, video footage, raw flight data, and calibration reports.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Botswana Geoscience Institute competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Geological Survey of Finland (GTK): Finland's national geoscience research agency operating as an explicit partner of BGI. Comparable scope of geological mapping, mineral resource assessment, and laboratory services, with a more advanced digital data platform and broader international engagement.
- Council for Geoscience (South Africa): South Africa's national geoscience institution performing geological mapping, mineral resource evaluation, and geotechnical assessments as a government entity. Most directly comparable to BGI as a SADC-region national geological survey with similar mandate and services.
- Geological Survey of Tanzania: Tanzania's national geological survey organization providing mineral exploration data, geological mapping, and laboratory services. Comparable in scope and mandate within the East African geological survey community.
- Geological Survey of Zambia: Zambia's national geological survey department providing mineral resource data and geoscience services for the Copperbelt and broader territory. A regional peer with similar government ownership and mining-focused mandate.
- Geological Survey of Namibia: Namibia's national geological survey organization providing geoscience data, mineral exploration support, and geological mapping. A regional peer with a comparable mandate and operational scope within Southern Africa.
Broad incumbents
- British Geological Survey (BGS): UK's national geological survey providing geoscience data, geological mapping, and laboratory services with global influence. Comparable in mandate and scientific scope, though operating at significantly larger scale and with more developed commercial revenue streams.
- Geoscience Australia: Australia's national geoscience agency offering geological mapping, mineral exploration data, and geophysical surveys. Comparable mandate and services, but with much greater scale, broader international engagement, and more mature digital platforms.
- Organisation of African Geological Surveys (OAGS): Continental umbrella organization coordinating geological surveys across Africa, including BGI as a member. Comparable in its role as a coordinating body for national geoscience data, though at a higher aggregation level.
- CGG (Compagnie Générale de Géophysique): Global geoscience company providing geological data, geophysical surveys, and reservoir characterization. Operates in the same geophysical surveying space as BGI but as a commercial entity serving the oil & gas and mining industries globally.
Emerging players
- Fugro: Dutch geo-services company providing geological, geotechnical, and survey services with significant operations in Africa. Comparable in geotechnical assessment and subsurface characterization capabilities, though with much broader geographic reach and commercial orientation.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Botswana Geoscience Institute social profiles
Digital presenceBotswana Geoscience Institute financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Botswana Geoscience Institute leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Botswana Geoscience Institute funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Botswana Geoscience Institute M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Botswana Geoscience Institute
What does Botswana Geoscience Institute do?
Botswana Geoscience Institute is a national geoscience research and services organization that functions as the custodian of Botswana's geoscience information. It delivers geological mapping, geotechnical assessments, groundwater and seismic monitoring, drilling, mineral resources evaluation, and advanced laboratory testing (ICP-MS, XRF, ICP-OES). It also distributes geoscience data, maps, and reports through multiple web portals and an online shop.
Is Botswana Geoscience Institute a public or private company?
Botswana Geoscience Institute is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Botswana Geoscience Institute founded?
Botswana Geoscience Institute was founded in 2014. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Botswana Geoscience Institute based?
Botswana Geoscience Institute is headquartered in Lobatse, Botswana, in the Africa region.
How does Botswana Geoscience Institute make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Government Subvention is the primary driver. The others are geoscience Data and Information Sales, laboratory Services, project Funding and drilling Services.
Who are Botswana Geoscience Institute's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Geological Survey of Finland (GTK), Council for Geoscience (South Africa), Geological Survey of Tanzania, Geological Survey of Zambia and Geological Survey of Namibia. Broad incumbents are British Geological Survey (BGS), Geoscience Australia, Organisation of African Geological Surveys (OAGS) and CGG (Compagnie Générale de Géophysique). Fugro is listed as an emerging player.
Does Botswana Geoscience Institute have an API?
No public API is recorded for Botswana Geoscience Institute.
What industry is Botswana Geoscience Institute in?
Botswana Geoscience Institute's product category is Geoscience Research and Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAKAKAA, Mineral Exploration & Geoscience Services (Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Resource Modeling), with a secondary code of BPAHAIAB, Geotechnical & Subsurface Engineering Consulting. Its NAICS code is 54136 and its SIC code is 8731.