🇧🇼map Botswana [Overview]

Botswana sits in the heart of Southern Africa, land-linked by South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It’s a vast, mostly flat country where the Kalahari Desert meets the lush Okavango Delta, one of the world’s largest inland deltas and a haven for wildlife. The population is just over 2 million, spread across wide-open spaces and a handful of compact cities like Gaborone and Francistown. Decades ago, Botswana discovered diamonds shortly after independence and used that windfall to invest in schools, roads, and health systems, earning a reputation for good governance in a region where that hasn’t always been guaranteed.

Economy

Botswana’s economy is anchored by diamonds, tourism, and a growing services sector. Many people work in government, education, retail, and hospitality, while agriculture—especially cattle ranching—remains important in rural life. Natural resources include diamonds, copper-nickel, and wildlife-rich landscapes that fuel high-value safari tourism. Over the past decade, the country has pushed to diversify into financial services, logistics, and green energy, with tech startups slowly taking root in Gaborone.

Connectivity is better than you might expect for a small market. Gaborone is linked by reliable roads to South Africa and Namibia, and regional flights connect to Johannesburg, Cape Town, and other Southern African hubs. Botswana is a member of the Southern African Development Community and the Southern African Customs Union, which helps keep trade moving across borders. Mobile coverage is widespread along main corridors, and data services are improving, though rural bandwidth can lag. For expats, the ease of doing business, rule of law, and political stability are standout advantages.

Culture

Setswana and English are the dominant languages; English is widely used in business, government, and higher education. Most citizens identify as Tswana, alongside Kalanga, Basarwa (San), and other communities that reflect the country’s layered history of migration and settlement across the Kalahari. Modern Botswana blends precolonial chieftaincy traditions with a democratic state built since independence in 1966. You’ll find lively interest in football, cattle posts as a symbol of heritage and wealth, and a deep pride in the country’s conservation ethos.

Religiously, Christianity is most common, often blended with traditional beliefs and practices. Public life is easygoing and respectful, with kgotla community forums still shaping local consensus. National moments include Independence Day in late September and President’s Day in July, alongside school terms, agricultural shows, and the safari season that brings travelers to the Okavango and Chobe. For newcomers, everyday Botswana rewards patience, neighborliness, and an appreciation for the quiet beauty of the Kalahari sky.

Amara
Amara is a business strategist and cultural liaison originally from Nairobi, Kenya, with over 12 years of experience in African markets and international corporate development across the continent. Having worked for major multinational corporations and regional organizations including the African Development Bank and East African Community, Amara has extensive experience facilitating the relocation of international talent to Kenya, South Africa, and other key African markets, as well as helping African professionals navigate assignments abroad.