Effective date: 21 July 2026
These Terms of Use govern access to and use of smallbusinesses.co.bw and the services provided by Small Businesses Botswana (“we”, “us” or “our”). By accessing or using the website, creating an account or submitting a listing, you agree to these terms. If you do not agree, do not use the service.
1. Our service
Small Businesses Botswana provides an online directory and related content to help users discover businesses, professionals, entrepreneurs and service providers in Botswana. We may offer free, paid, featured or sponsored listings and advertising opportunities.
2. Eligibility and accounts
- You must have legal capacity to accept these terms. A person under 18 may use account or listing features only with the involvement and consent of a parent or legal guardian.
- You must provide accurate registration information and keep it current.
- You are responsible for safeguarding account credentials and for activity under your account. Notify us promptly of suspected unauthorised use.
3. Listings and user content
You retain responsibility for content you submit. You confirm that you have the rights and permissions needed to submit it and to make any supplied business contact details public.
- Listings must be truthful, current and not misleading.
- Content must not be unlawful, fraudulent, defamatory, discriminatory, obscene, threatening, harmful, infringing, malicious or designed to deceive.
- You must not impersonate another person or business, submit duplicate or deceptive listings, manipulate reviews or misuse another person’s personal data.
- You grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to host, reproduce, format, display and distribute submitted content only as reasonably necessary to operate, promote and improve the directory.
- We may review, edit, reject, suspend or remove content or accounts that violate these terms, create risk, are reported as unlawful, or are otherwise unsuitable for the platform.
4. Acceptable use
You may not interfere with the website, bypass security, introduce malware, scrape or harvest personal data without lawful authority, send spam, overload the service, reverse engineer protected components, or use the platform for unlawful activity. Automated access requires our prior written permission unless allowed by law.
5. Paid and featured services
Prices, billing periods and features for paid services will be stated when offered. You are responsible for applicable charges and taxes. Unless the relevant offer states otherwise, payments are non-refundable except where a refund is required by law. We may change future pricing or features with reasonable notice, but changes will not retroactively alter a completed purchase.
6. Newsletters, email and WhatsApp messages
Where you consent, or where otherwise permitted by law, we may send newsletters, promotions and related communications by email or WhatsApp. These messages may contain third-party advertising, sponsored content and partner offers.
We do not give advertisers your personal contact information or subscriber details for their independent marketing. Advertisements are included within communications sent by us or by service providers acting on our instructions. You may unsubscribe, reply STOP where available, adjust preferences or contact us. Essential service, account, security and transaction messages may still be sent.
7. Third-party advertising and links
An advertisement, sponsored feature or link does not constitute our endorsement or guarantee. We do not control third-party websites or the accuracy, safety, legality, availability or quality of advertised goods or services. Dealings between users and third parties are solely between those parties.
8. Privacy and personal data
We process personal data as described in our Privacy Policy, which forms part of these terms. Users who submit personal data about another person must have a lawful basis and any required permission to do so.
9. Intellectual property
The website’s name, logo, design, software and original editorial content are owned by or licensed to us and are protected by applicable intellectual-property laws. Except for normal personal use of the service, you may not copy, reproduce, republish, sell or exploit protected material without permission or another lawful basis.
10. Suspension and termination
You may stop using the service at any time. We may suspend or terminate access, remove a listing or restrict features where reasonably necessary to enforce these terms, protect the platform or users, respond to legal requirements, prevent harm or discontinue a service. Where appropriate, we may provide notice or an opportunity to correct the issue.
11. Disclaimers and liability
The service is provided on an “as available” basis. We do not guarantee the accuracy of third-party listings, uninterrupted availability or any particular business outcome. To the fullest extent permitted by Botswana law, we are not liable for indirect, incidental, special or consequential losses arising from use of the platform, third-party content or dealings with listed businesses or advertisers. Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.
12. Changes to the service or terms
We may change the platform or these terms to reflect legal, operational or service changes. Updated terms will be posted on this page with a revised effective date. If a material change requires additional notice or consent under applicable law, we will provide it.
13. Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Botswana. Subject to any mandatory rights or dispute procedures under applicable law, disputes will fall within the jurisdiction of the courts of Botswana.
14. General
If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in effect. A failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver. These terms, together with the Privacy Policy and Disclaimer, constitute the agreement governing use of the platform.
15. Contact
Questions, complaints or legal notices may be submitted through the Contact Us page.