It is the largest component of the governing Umbrella for Democratic Change coalition; party leader Duma Boko has been president of Botswana since 2024.

The initial goal of the BNF was to reunite the various strands of the Botswana People's Party, which had experienced a split in 1963–1964, and others opposed to the BDP.

In 1969, Bathoen Gaseitsiwe resigned from his state-recognized position as chief of the Bangwaketse (a group in Southern Botswana) and joined the BNF.

The electoral success and change of motto largely reflected decreased standard of living, civil unrest and rising levels of AIDS in the country.

The split followed an aborted BNF party congress, dissolution of the central committee by Koma, and a bitter court case.

In 2003, ongoing factional conflict prompted the BNF's founder, Kenneth Koma, to form the New Democratic Front.

An increase in the number of constituencies from 40 to 57 allowed the BNF to win 12 seats in 2009 despite no meaningful change in its vote share.

In 2008 and 2009, the BNF suspended or expelled several prominent members, including several of its parliamentary representatives, and fought several court battles related to primary elections.

The BCP formed an electoral pact with the Botswana Alliance Movement and the NDF and increased its representation from one seat to five.