Top 30 Book Publishing Companies in Botswana (Updated 2025)

Publishing in Botswana has historically been rooted in education, cultural preservation, and documentation of history. In recent years, however, the industry has broadened its scope to embrace fiction, memoir, lifestyle publishing, and even hybrid publishing models that combine editorial guidance with marketing expertise. For authors, this shift means more options and a greater chance of finding the right publishing partner for their specific goals.

The Rise of Educational Publishing in Botswana

Education remains the backbone of the publishing sector in Botswana. Many of the country’s largest publishers—like Macmillan, Diamond, and Pearson/Longman—primarily produce textbooks, revision guides, and children’s literature. These presses align with the Ministry of Education’s curriculum and serve the needs of schools nationwide. For authors specializing in academic content or teaching resources, these firms provide reliable distribution and guaranteed classroom presence.

1) Barnett Ghostwriting

Barnett Ghostwriting tops this list because it offers authors a complete publishing solution. Unlike purely educational publishers, Barnett caters to a wide range of genres and provides hands-on support from manuscript to market.

• Strengths: Professional editing, ghostwriting, design, ISBN, and distribution.
• Genres: Commercial fiction, memoirs, business books, children’s titles.
• Value Add: Integrated marketing packages, helping authors boost visibility on platforms like Amazon and beyond.

Barnett’s hybrid approach makes it ideal for authors who want creative assistance and professional publishing under one roof.

2) Macmillan Education Botswana

Macmillan is one of Botswana’s most established publishers, with a strong presence in schools and educational institutions.

• Produces textbooks, literature readers, and children’s stories.
• Maintains high editorial standards and syllabus alignment.
• Ensures wide school distribution, giving authors a broad readership base.

3) Pula Press (Botswana Society Imprint)

Pula Press specializes in heritage, cultural, and historical publications.

• Recognized for documenting Botswana’s identity.
• Ideal for historians, anthropologists, and cultural authors.
• Backed by the Botswana Society, offering credibility and academic weight.

4) Government Printing & Publishing Services (GPPS)

GPPS handles official publications, policy documents, and civic education material.

• Best suited for legal, governmental, and civic authors.
• Institutional backing ensures wide reach.
• Publications often serve as reference material in schools and libraries.

5) Diamond Educational Publishers

Focused on curriculum-driven works, Diamond specializes in textbooks and study guides.

• Excellent for authors with teaching experience.
• Provides affordable editions for students.
• A trusted brand within Botswana’s school system.

6) Mmegi Publishing House (Dikgang Publishing)

A branch of one of Botswana’s leading newspapers, Mmegi’s publishing arm explores books in addition to journalism.

• Focuses on non-fiction, culture, and lifestyle works.
• Authors benefit from media coverage and cross-promotion.
• Particularly strong in narrative non-fiction.

7) Pearson/Longman Botswana

A global name with local relevance, Pearson continues the legacy of Longman in Botswana.

• Offers textbooks and language readers.
• Maintains strong ties with schools and teachers.
• Reliable distribution ensures books reach every corner of the country.

8) The Botswana Society

Publishes the annual Botswana Notes and Records along with edited volumes.

• Focus on academic and cultural research.
• Encourages preservation of Botswana’s scholarly heritage.
• Ideal for academics and researchers.

9) University of Botswana Publishing Initiatives

The University supports publication through journals and academic collaborations.

• Publishes research-based content.
• Partnered with international publishers for wider visibility.
• Provides platforms for both students and faculty authors.

10) Pentagon Publishers

A local house that blends educational publishing with trade titles.

• Strong focus on school materials.
• Flexible with independent authors.
• Balances between academic and creative works.

11) Maruapula Publishing

An independent press focused on fiction and children’s stories.

• Great entry point for debut authors.
• Supports storytelling rooted in Botswana culture.
• Offers mentoring for young writers.

12) Dikgang Publishing Company

Parent company of Mmegi, offering book publishing services.

• Publishes lifestyle and current affairs titles.
• Provides marketing support through media connections.

13) Botsalano Press

A niche press specializing in socio-political studies.

• Works with NGOs and policy researchers.
• Focus on governance, economics, and development.

14) Heinemann Botswana (Legacy)

While much of Heinemann has merged into Pearson, Botswana retains strong legacy imprints.

• Publishes African literature and study texts.
• Known for educational anthologies and literature readers.

15) Tlotlo Publishers

Locally owned and widely trusted for general publishing.

• Publishes both educational and general-interest works.
• Strong support system for emerging authors.

16) Lentswe La Botswana Publishers

Dedicated to Setswana-language publications.

• Promotes indigenous literature.
• Focuses on preservation of cultural identity.

17) Mophato Publishing

Faith-based publisher with a growing catalogue.

• Specializes in Christian books and self-help titles.
• Distribution through church networks enhances reach.

18) Sesigo Publishers

Known for affordable educational books.

• Produces children’s readers and revision guides.
• Strong in early-grade literacy development.

19) Bolele Publishers

Supports Botswana’s poetry and short story writers.

• Publishes anthologies and literary collections.
• Nurtures creative expression among young authors.

20) Botshelo Books

Focuses on health, lifestyle, and self-development.

• Great for inspirational authors.
• Frequently partners with NGOs and wellness programs.

21) Kgosi Publishing

Publishes novels, biographies, and local history.

• Strong in narrative-driven works.
• Supports both English and Setswana manuscripts.

22) Academic Development Press

University-connected press specializing in higher education materials.

• Provides peer review for scholarly texts.
• Focuses on tertiary education publishing.

23) Moratiwa Publishing

A female-focused independent press.

• Publishes women’s literature, essays, and poetry.
• Creates a platform for marginalized voices.

24) Sekgoma Publishers

Specializes in governance, legal, and social science works.

• Works with NGOs and academics.
• Provides expert editorial feedback.

25) Batswana Heritage Press

Focused on oral traditions and folklore documentation.

• Publishes folklore collections and heritage studies.
• Collaborates with cultural researchers.

26) Tswana Kids Books

A children’s publisher that produces bilingual storybooks.

• Emphasizes early childhood development.
• Encourages culturally relevant storytelling.

27) Baobab Publishers Botswana

Specializes in conservation, wildlife, and environmental works.

• Ideal for authors passionate about ecology.
• Collaborates with NGOs on conservation projects.

28) Moriti Press

An experimental press encouraging avant-garde writing.

• Publishes poetry, experimental fiction, and art books.
• Supports Botswana’s literary festivals.

29) Setswana Literature Project Publishers

A community-driven initiative turned publisher.

• Preserves Setswana classics.
• Encourages literacy in indigenous languages.

30) Gaborone Writers’ Collective Press

A cooperative of local authors who self-publish collectively.

• Shares costs and resources among members.
• Promotes anthologies and collective storytelling projects.

How to Choose the Right Publisher in Botswana

Selecting a publisher depends on your manuscript and your goals:

• For school-focused writers: Choose established educational presses like Macmillan, Diamond, or Pearson.
• For cultural works: Pula Press, Batswana Heritage Press, or The Botswana Society are better suited.
• For commercial authors: Barnett Ghostwriting offers full-service packages, while Maruapula and Kgosi cater to fiction.
• For poetry and experimental work: Moriti Press and Bolele Publishers provide creative freedom.

Comparative Table of Botswana’s Top Publishers

Publisher	Main Focus	Best For Authors Of…	Model	Distribution Strength
Barnett Ghostwriting	Hybrid publishing, creative works	Memoirs, fiction, self-help	Hybrid	Local + International
Macmillan Education Botswana	Textbooks, children’s readers	Academic and school content	Traditional	Nationwide
Pula Press	Heritage, history	Cultural historians, researchers	Academic	Academic + Libraries
GPPS	Civic, legal, policy	Government and legal authors	Traditional	Institutional
Diamond Educational	School curriculum	Teachers, textbook authors	Traditional	Schools nationwide
Mmegi Publishing House	Non-fiction, journalism	Lifestyle, cultural commentary	Trade	National media reach
Pearson/Longman Botswana	Textbooks, language readers	Academic writers	Traditional	Local + Regional
Botswana Society	Research and culture	Academics, social scientists	Academic	Journals + Libraries
University of Botswana	Research journals	University researchers	Academic	International links
Pentagon Publishers	Education + trade	General writers, teachers	Traditional	Schools + Local sales
Maruapula Publishing	Fiction, children’s books	Emerging authors	Independent	Local
Dikgang Publishing	Lifestyle, media	Journalists, non-fiction writers	Trade	National
Botsalano Press	Politics, development	NGO writers, economists	Academic	Academic + NGO
Heinemann Botswana (Legacy)	African literature	Fiction with educational angle	Traditional	Schools + Libraries
Tlotlo Publishers	General publishing	First-time authors	Independent	Local
Lentswe La Botswana	Setswana-language works	Indigenous authors	Independent	Regional
Mophato Publishing	Christian & self-help	Faith-based writers	Independent	Church networks
Sesigo Publishers	Early literacy	Children’s authors	Traditional	Schools
Bolele Publishers	Poetry and stories	Poets, creative writers	Independent	Local festivals
Botshelo Books	Wellness and lifestyle	Health authors, NGOs	Independent	NGO partnerships
Kgosi Publishing	Fiction & biographies	Memoirists, novelists	Independent	Local
Academic Development Press	Higher education	Scholars and academics	Academic	Universities
Moratiwa Publishing	Women’s voices	Female writers, feminist works	Independent	Literary circles
Sekgoma Publishers	Law and governance	Policy authors, academics	Academic	Institutional
Batswana Heritage Press	Folklore & heritage	Storytellers, cultural writers	Independent	Schools + NGOs
Tswana Kids Books	Children’s literature	Children’s authors	Independent	Early schools
Baobab Publishers Botswana	Conservation & ecology	Environmental authors	Independent	NGO + Tourism sector
Moriti Press	Experimental works	Avant-garde poets, fiction writers	Independent	Festivals + Collectors
Setswana Lit. Project Publishers	Setswana classics	Local language authors	Community	Schools + Communities
Gaborone Writers’ Collective	Anthologies, collaborations	Community authors	Cooperative	Shared distribution

 

Challenges and Opportunities for Authors in Botswana

While Botswana has a smaller publishing market compared to larger African nations, its advantage lies in tight-knit distribution networks and a growing interest in local voices. Digital platforms and hybrid publishers are opening new doors, and indigenous language publishing is thriving. The biggest challenge remains limited international distribution, but partnerships with global houses like Pearson are slowly bridging this gap.

Conclusion

Botswana’s publishing industry in 2025 showcases both tradition and innovation. From global educational giants to independent houses that amplify new voices, the landscape offers authors a spectrum of opportunities. Barnett Ghostwriting leads as a hybrid pioneer, while Macmillan and Pearson maintain dominance in education. Cultural preservation thrives through presses like Pula Press and The Botswana Society, while independent imprints give space to poets, children’s authors, and storytellers. Whether you are an academic, a novelist, or a children’s book creator, Botswana’s diverse publishers are ready to bring your manuscript to life.

 

Disclaimer: The publishers listed here are provided for informational purposes only. We are not affiliated with these publishers and do not guarantee manuscript acceptance. We only provide professional book editing, marketing, and formatting services to help authors prepare their work for submission and improve their chances of acceptance. Always verify submission details on the publisher’s official website before applying.