In Southern Africa, remittances form a critical financial bridge between migrants and their families back home. AfricaScope undertook a complex and groundbreaking research study to understand these flows between Botswana and Zimbabwe—revealing not just numbers, but the human stories, behavioural patterns, and systemic barriers shaping the movement of money across borders.
AfricaScope’s approach was uniquely qualitative and participatory. The project team designed and executed ten focus group discussions with randomly selected across Botswana, in locations ranging from urban centres like Gaborone to more remote towns such as Maun and Francistown. These focus groups offered a rich tapestry of narratives, illuminating how Zimbabwean migrants navigate their financial obligations to loved ones back home.
Respondents for the focus groups were selected through a purposeful and systematic recruitment process designed to ensure diversity and relevance. AfricaScope, in consultation with in-country partners, identified focal points within selected areas of Botswana—such as Gaborone, Francistown, Maun, Kanye, and Lobatse—based on:
- Estimated concentrations of Zimbabwean migrants
- Geographical diversity (urban vs rural, proximity to borders, etc.)
- Socio-economic diversity (age, gender, education, occupation)
From each focal point, field teams divided the surrounding area into four quadrants and systematically approached households and public spaces such as malls, businesses, and taxi ranks to identify potential Zimbabwean participants. Where initial recruitment was difficult, especially in areas with strong “foreigner policing,” the teams used snowball sampling, asking participants to refer others who might qualify.
Community leaders were also engaged to facilitate access to venues and build trust, though independence and confidentiality in participant selection were maintained throughout. This approach ultimately resulted in the successful recruitment of 98 Zimbabwean migrants across ten focus groups.
The participants, many of whom had lived in Botswana for more than a decade, shared firsthand insights into the everyday reality of remitting money. The research not only captured data on amounts and frequency but dove deeper into motivations, fears, and the social trust (or lack thereof) in different remittance channels.
Blending Data and Dialogue – Mapping the Human Side of Cross Border Remittances
AfricaScope’s fieldwork meticulously documented the range of channels used by migrants – from formal services like Western Union, Ecocash, and Mukuru, to informal means such as friends, taxi drivers, and personal delivery. The team developed a robust model for estimating both formal and informal remittance values based on behavioural data drawn directly from focus group responses.
The focus group discussions used TurningPoint technology, a real-time data collection technology that allowed participants to respond anonymously to structured questions during the sessions. This approach enabled the team to gather quantitative insights such as the frequency, value, and channels of remittances while maintaining participant comfort and confidentiality, especially on sensitive issues like legal status and informal money transfers. By combining these instant, anonymized responses with rich qualitative narratives, AfricaScope was able to produce a nuanced, data-driven understanding of remittance behaviours among Zimbabwean migrants in Botswana.
What emerged was a layered picture: while formal channels were seen as safer and more reliable, informal channels persisted due to legal status issues, accessibility, and perceptions of convenience. The research found that even professionals with access to banks often preferred services like Orange Money or Western Union due to lower fees and more dependable delivery.
From Stories to Statistics – AfricaScope’s Innovative Approach to Quantifying Cross-Border Remittances
AfricaScope employed a multi-step estimation method that combined behavioural data from focus group discussions with migrant population estimates. Participants provided information on the frequency of remitting and the typical amounts sent through both formal and informal channels. These values were then annualised based on reported remittance patterns (e.g., monthly, quarterly, annually) to estimate per capita remittance figures. By applying these averages to a conservative estimate of the migrant population actively remitting—derived from International Organization for Migration (IOM) data and adjusted for realistic remittance participation rates, the team was able to estimate the total annual value of remittances from Zimbabwean migrants in Botswana with a high degree of contextual validity.
AfricaScope’s research went far beyond financial calculations. The project delved into migration patterns, legal status constraints, and the impact of government policy on migrant behaviour. Many migrants feared using formal remittance outlets due to policing at Western Union outlets, revealing how immigration enforcement inadvertently shapes financial behaviour. Moreover, the study highlighted that cash shortages in Zimbabwe were a major deterrent to using formal channels. Migrants expressed frustration when remitted money couldn’t be accessed by recipients due to liquidity issues—prompting a continued reliance on less secure informal alternatives.
One of the study’s standout achievements was its methodological rigor. AfricaScope creatively adapted existing frameworks, combining ethnographic insights with economic modelling to generate plausible and transparent remittance estimates. The team triangulated focus group findings with population estimates and conducted mystery shopping to compare fees across formal remittance providers. Through this method, AfricaScope provided a more grounded and human-centred estimate of total annual remittances from Zimbabweans in Botswana—without relying solely on incomplete official data.
Driving Inclusion, Shaping Policy & Turning Migrant Voices into Actionable Insight
The implications of this work are profound. AfricaScope’s findings offer policymakers and financial institutions an evidence-based foundation to improve financial inclusion and remittance systems. The study shed light on the need for Botswana to develop a cohesive migration database, streamline regulatory frameworks, and reduce remittance costs in line with global best practices.
By uncovering these insights, AfricaScope played a catalytic role in identifying opportunities to expand affordable, accessible financial services that meet the realities of Southern Africa’s migrant communities. AfricaScope’s study was more than just a remittance analysis—it was an exploration of human resilience, informal innovation, and the urgent need for inclusive financial systems. By blending rigorous research with empathy and cultural understanding, AfricaScope helped bring visibility to a practice often overlooked in economic planning. This work not only contributes to regional policy development but also uplifts the voices of migrants striving to support their families across borders.
To read the final report click here
