Working in Botswana

Thanks to its world-renowned diamond industry and fast-growing service, tourism, and manufacturing sectors, Botswana is an upper-middle-income country. Its economy is one of the most successful in Africa, with close economic links to South Africa.

Relatively liberal economic policies and strong financial institutions attract foreign investment, allowing for substantial economic growth. Botswana is also ranked among the least corrupt countries in the world.

You're in luck if you're looking for work in Botswana, as the country's job market is growing, with vacancies in diverse sectors. You'll need a work permit to work in Botswana legally, and its issuance is typically attached to an offer of employment, so we recommend securing a role before coming to the country. 

Job market in Botswana

Botswana’s wealth of minerals and raw materials cannot be overlooked when discussing the job market. Most of the country's exports are in unmounted diamonds. Botswana is also home to the Orapa diamond mine – the world's largest diamond mine by area.

The country has experienced rapid growth in its ICT sector, driven by both public and private sector investment. This has expanded internet services, making it easier to do business and find jobs within the information systems sector.

There is also a well-respected financial industry that attracts many expats. The Botswana Stock Exchange performs well, and several international and local banks operate here. If you have education qualifications, you can also find work teaching at one of the country's prestigious international schools or universities. 

Botswana's immense and thriving biodiversity contributes to a robust tourism industry. The country is blessed with abundant wildlife, as well as the natural landscapes of wetlands and the semi-arid sandy savannah of the Kalahari Desert. Jobs in tourism hope to conserve this natural beauty while boosting the economy at the same time.

Finding a job in Botswana

Many expats who relocate to Botswana do so through an intra-company transfer. This is often the case for those working in the financial industry or for a large multinational. If you find yourself drawn to the country without a job offer on hand, you will need to look for work.

For expat jobseekers in Botswana, searching the internet is a good start. We recommend leveraging your updated profile on popular networking sites like LinkedIn, while also keeping tabs on listings on job portals. Newspaper classifieds, whether physically or digitally, can also be useful. Alternatively, you can go through a recruitment agency.

Useful links

• Jobs Botswana
• Expat Botswana

Work culture in Botswana

English is commonly spoken in business and used in everyday life in Botswana. Still, if you are doing business in Botswana, you are encouraged to try to use some basic phrases in the local language, Setswana.

Work culture and communication hierarchies are generally top-down. That said, employers, managers, and employees often collaborate and consult. As across all spheres of life in Botswana, elders are treated with respect in the workplace.

The communication style is typically indirect, with locals often avoiding confrontation to keep the peace. It's essential that, as an expat, you build rapport and trust before attempting to engage in candid or frank conversations. Meetings also require patience, as consensus-building can take a long time due to the indirect communication style.