Limited empirical research on information consultancy and brokerage is documented and almost nothing originates from authors in the developing countries despite the upsurge of reasons for involvement in the services provided in the region. However, in considering investment in consultancy and brokerage services in a unique and unknown consumer environment such as Africa, it would be fool-hardy to ignore the complexities posed by the coexistence of an information-conscious population on the one hand and a semi-literate population on the other. This study investigates the need for information consultancy and brokerage services in Botswana for the advice, creation and development of information consultancy and brokerage services in the country. The study was conducted in Botswana and data was collected in Gaborone, which has 34.3% of the urban population, including 10% of the national population, and is also the capital city and seat for government and private agencies in the country. Data was collected by means of questionnaires and interviews with the public and private sectors as well as information consultants and brokers. The analysis of data and the subsequent results revealed that, while Botswana has information consultants and brokers, there is a need for their services in management mainly but also in information technology, information systems and informal training. Unexplored and less-exploited markets exist in both the private and public sector. So far, access to information used by clients is mainly through private contacts (70.6%), office files (69.6%), mass media (60.3%) and information consultancy and brokerage (34%). The study recommends that coordination, marketing, promotion and publicity of information consultancy and brokerage activities are essential. The areas identified for consultancy services need to be developed and exploited, clients’ awareness of the usefulness of information management be created and the consultants and brokers be readily available when needed. The study provides a basis for market analysis that can benefit training institutions in librarianship and information management in capacity building.
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