Diamonds are the first thing to understand about working in Botswana. The country was among the world’s poorest at independence in 1966. Today, it’s an upper-middle-income economy and one of Africa’s longest-running success stories, and its diamond mines are the main reason.
The country’s reliance on diamonds has a downside, though. There were two straight years of economic contraction in 2024 and 2025 during a long slump in global demand for natural diamonds. Lab-grown stones are far more popular than they used to be, and that’s a big part of the story. The government wants to broaden the economy and has pinned its hopes on copper mining, tourism, financial services, and tech.
The job hunt is tougher for foreigners than many expect. About a fifth of the labour force is unemployed, and the government wants to keep jobs for citizens wherever possible. Foreign employees need a work permit, and officials usually approve one only when an employer can show that no suitably qualified citizen is available. The permit is tied to a specific job, so we recommend that you secure a role before you move.
Job market in Botswana
Mining is still the centre of gravity in the job market in Botswana. Debswana runs the country’s biggest diamond mines. It’s a joint venture owned equally by the government and De Beers, and two of its mines are world record-holders. Orapa is the world’s largest diamond mine by area, and Jwaneng is the richest by value. Gaborone has been the home of De Beers’ global rough-diamond sales since 2013, so there’s also work in diamond sorting and valuation.
Copper is the newer story. Mining companies have invested heavily in the Kalahari Copper Belt in the northwest. Khoemacau and Motheo are the two biggest operations there, and the government sees copper as a key part of its plans to diversify. Mining firms still hire foreign engineers and metallurgists for specialist roles, although they’re expected to train and promote citizens.
The country has made ICT a priority and has invested a lot in data centres and digital infrastructure. Local talent is scarce in fields such as software development, cybersecurity, data analysis, and network engineering, so foreign tech professionals may find openings here.
Gaborone is the country’s financial hub, and the Bank of Botswana and the Botswana Stock Exchange are both here. Several international and local banks have head offices in the city. Asset managers are busy too, since the country has sizeable pension savings.
Qualified teachers have decent prospects at Gaborone’s international schools and at the University of Botswana. Medical doctors and pharmacists are on the public service’s list of scarce skills too, so there are openings in healthcare.
Tourism is one of the country’s biggest earners of foreign currency. Most visitors come for the wildlife of the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park. The government favours a high-value, low-volume approach in both areas, so visitor numbers are low, and rates at upmarket safari lodges are high. Maun is the gateway to the delta and the base for many safari operators. Safari companies hire foreigners for some lodge management and conservation roles, but they face steady pressure to promote citizens instead. Foreign guides also need a professional guide’s licence on top of a work permit.
Banking, Money and Taxes in Botswana
Finding a job in Botswana
Plenty of expats skip the hard part of finding a job in Botswana because they arrive on an intra-company transfer. It’s the usual route in finance and at large multinationals. Partners who move with them don’t automatically get the right to work, though, and many find it hard to secure a permit of their own. If you’re drawn to the country without a job offer in hand, you’ll need to start the search yourself.
Online job portals are the best place to start. Employers in Gaborone rely a lot on LinkedIn, so keep your profile polished and up to date. Recruitment agencies are another option, although they’re most useful for senior and specialist roles.
For the work permit application, the Botswana Qualifications Authority may need to verify your qualifications, and some professions also have their own registration bodies. Engineers need to register with the Engineers Registration Board, for example, and accountants with the Botswana Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Visas, Work Permits, and Residence Permits for Botswana
Useful links
Work culture in Botswana
There’s rarely a language barrier for newcomers to the work culture in Botswana, because English is the official language and the default in most offices. Setswana is the national language, though, and colleagues appreciate it when you learn a few phrases. A friendly dumela (hello) is a good place to start.
Workplaces are generally hierarchical, and senior managers make the final call. Most managers still consult their teams before they decide. The habit has its origins in the kgotla. In this traditional village assembly, anyone can speak, and the chief only rules once everyone has had their say. Co-workers show older staff plenty of respect, as Batswana (citizens of Botswana) do in every part of life. It’s polite to address senior men as rra and senior women as mma.
Communication is usually indirect, and most Batswana avoid open confrontation to keep the peace. Build rapport and trust before you raise anything sensitive, and you’ll find co-workers far more willing to speak candidly. You’ll also need patience in meetings. Teams can take a while to reach consensus, and it isn’t unusual to hold a second or third meeting before anyone settles on a decision.