Botswana mobile money agents — fees & overcharging
In Botswana, the mobile money agent has no right to charge above the operator schedule. Here's what they can take, how to spot overcharging, and where to report.
✓ Verified June 2026.Tariffs and USSD codes confirmed against operator sources. No government levy on mobile money.
What an agent can and can't charge you
In Botswana, the published operator fee (see bands above) is the ONLY fee a mobile money agent is allowed to charge. No surcharge, no additional 'agent fee', no extra cash commission on top of the schedule.
Overcharging signs:
- The agent asks for cash 'on top' of the SMS confirmation amount.
- The actual fee differs from the operator SMS received after the transaction.
- The agent refuses to show you the operator receipt/SMS.
In any of these cases, call 123 (Orange) or the relevant operator equivalent, give the agent number and the transaction reference. Botswana operators actively suspend agents found overcharging — they protect that market reputation.
Frequently asked questions
Can the agent refuse a withdrawal for cash-shortage?
Yes — an agent can run out of cash on a large request (typically > M / E / P 2,000), especially at month-start or far from Gaborone. It's not an operator fault; find a larger agent or fractionate.
What if the agent doesn't give a receipt?
The real receipt is the operator SMS sent to your number on confirmation. That's what counts in a dispute — keep it. No paper needed.