Botswana pula
| |||||
| ISO 4217 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Code | BWP (numeric: 072) | ||||
| Subunit | 0.01 | ||||
| Unit | |||||
| Unit | pula | ||||
| Symbol | P | ||||
| Denominations | |||||
| Subunit | |||||
| 1⁄100 | thebe | ||||
| Banknotes | 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 pula | ||||
| Coins | 5, 10, 25, 50 thebe, 1, 2, 5 pula | ||||
| Demographics | |||||
| Date of introduction | 23 August 1976 | ||||
| Official user(s) | Botswana | ||||
| Unofficial user | Zimbabwe | ||||
| Issuance | |||||
| Central bank | Bank of Botswana | ||||
| Website | www | ||||
| Valuation | |||||
| Inflation | 2.50% (April 2020) | ||||
| Source | Bank of Botswana, 7 July 2016 | ||||
| Method | CPI | ||||
The pula is the currency of Botswana. It has the ISO 4217 code BWP and is subdivided into 100 thebe. Pula literally means "rain" in Setswana, because rain is very scarce in Botswana—home to much of the Kalahari Desert— playing a major role in rites of traditional Tswana belief; therefore valuable and the word extends its meaning as "blessing" or "fortune". The word also serves as the national motto of the country.
A sub-unit of the currency is known as thebe, or "shield", and represents defence. The names were picked with the help of the public.