Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Moving to a new country for work often means experiencing a phase of euphoria, then doubt, before finding your footing. For an expat, the difference between a failed expatriation and a successful expatriation often comes down to one key point: the quality of the professional network built on the ground. In Botswana, this is even more true. The business culture relies heavily on trust, personal relationships, and the principle of botho, which emphasizes community, respect, and mutual support.
To develop your network in Botswana, combine local networks, participation in events, use of digital tools, and respect for intercultural best practices. A concrete, multi-dimensional approach is recommended.
Understanding the Playing Field: Botswana, a Stable Economy and the Culture of Botho
To network well, you first need to understand the context. Botswana is often described as a “rising star” of business in Africa: a stable economy, rich in natural resources, close to key Southern African partners, and with a fairly favorable business climate. The country shows a desire for economic diversification, with a particular interest in technology, renewable energy, agribusiness, tourism, financial services, and entrepreneurship.
The concept of *botho*, similar to Ubuntu, is central to the relational culture of business. It emphasizes respect, empathy, solidarity, and the value of each member of the community. In practice, this means that business transactions rarely rely solely on a contract or a well-structured pitch. Business is primarily done with people you know, respect, and trust, thus prioritizing the human relationship over the mere transaction.
Communication is generally indirect, polite, and measured. Direct confrontation and pressure tactics in meetings are avoided. The tone is measured, words are chosen carefully, and silence is accepted as a time for reflection or consent. Batswana (the people of the country) may seem reserved at first, especially with foreigners, but are actually very welcoming to those who make an effort to understand local customs.
In this context, building a network is not about accumulating business cards, but about weaving lasting relationships, based on reciprocity, patience, and respect for protocol.
Basic Codes for Introducing Yourself and Exchanging with Batswana Professionals
Before even talking about events or platforms, it is essential to master a few fundamentals of professional etiquette in Botswana, as they condition the quality of your first contacts.
Greetings are central. Not greeting properly is seen as downright rude. A typical exchange begins with “Dumela” or “Dumelang” (hello) and a few polite questions about the person’s or their family’s well-being. It is frowned upon to get straight to the point without going through this phase. In professional settings, titles are readily used: “Mr,” “Mrs,” “Ms,” “Dr,” or in Setswana, “Rra” (for a man) and “Mma” (for a woman), followed by the surname. First names come later, once the relationship is established.
A firm, smiling handshake is the norm. In traditional contexts, it is common to use both hands or to lightly touch the elbow of your interlocutor as a sign of respect. Eye contact is important, but it may be less direct with a superior or an elder, particularly in rural areas.
The communication style is deliberately measured. Raising your voice, adopting an aggressive tone, or using sarcastic humor can be very poorly received. Disagreements are usually expressed indirectly, with nuances, circumlocutions, or through questions. Non-verbal cues matter a lot: silences, changes in tone, physical distance.
For a first meeting or with public officials, formal attire is recommended (suit for men, conservative business attire for women). In informal or rural settings, business casual may be accepted, but it is better to err on the side of formality during initial contacts.
Finally, time management follows a double standard. On one hand, punctuality is interpreted as a sign of respect and is expected, especially in institutional settings. On the other hand, the notion of “African time” applies: meetings starting late, last-minute rescheduling, decisions taking weeks or even months. Reconforming your appointments 24 hours in advance is a reflex to adopt. The key for the expat: arrive on time, stay patient, and avoid showing annoyance.
Where to Network Physically: Conferences, Trade Shows, and Key Locations in Botswana
Botswana offers a richer ecosystem of professional events than one might imagine. Gaborone, in particular, is establishing itself as a leading conference city in Southern Africa: modern conference centers, audiovisual equipment, security, decent air connectivity (Air Botswana, regional connections, Kenya Airways, etc.), and most importantly, the possibility of combining meetings with safaris or team-building activities.
Several major events represent powerful opportunities for an expat looking to expand their network.
The Global Expo Botswana is often presented as one of the country’s main multi-sector B2B trade fairs. Organized by the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), it is usually held at the end of the year in Gaborone. It attracts local and international companies from various sectors, with a structured program of B2B meetings, including a business matchmaking system to set up one-on-one appointments. For a newcomer, it’s a concentration of prospects, partners, and institutions all in one place.
Number of high-level executives expected at the 2026 edition of the Botswana Mining & Energy Conference and Exhibition.
The country also hosts numerous thematic events in the areas of technology, education, health, tourism, online gaming, and media and entertainment. Gaborone has, for example, hosted:
Discover the main events, trade shows, and conferences held in Botswana, covering varied sectors such as technology, education, tourism, and agriculture.
Major technology summit held at Boipuso Hall, bringing together innovation and digital players.
Events organized at the University of Botswana or the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (Palapye), covering engineering, management, and education.
Specialized trade shows in areas like tourism, agriculture, telecommunications, or gaming and betting with the BiG Africa Summit.
For an expat, these events are as many gateways to sector-specific networks (mining, energy, IT, tourism, finance…) as well as to institutional players (BITC, Business Botswana, ministries, development agencies).
The table below provides a simplified overview of a few meeting formats useful for networking in Botswana.
| Event Type | Example in Botswana | Primary Networking Interest |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-sector B2B Trade Fair | Global Expo Botswana (GEB) | Meet suppliers, buyers, public agencies |
| Sector-specific Mining & Energy Conference | Botswana Mining & Energy Conference (BME) | Access regional leaders, investors |
| Tech / Innovation Summit | Botswana Tech Summit & Expo | Connect with startups, developers, tech hubs |
| Economic and Policy Forum | Botswana Economic Forum, African Economic Conference | Cross paths with public decision-makers, donors, think tanks |
| Tourism & MICE Trade Show | Africa Tourism Leadership Forum, Travel expos | Forge links with tour operators, DMCs, hoteliers |
| Targeted Networking Events | Clevenard Award & Business Networking Seminar | International networking, visibility, partnerships |
These structured venues are in addition to the country’s major conference centers, such as the Gaborone International Conference Centre (GICC) with its Tsodilo Suite capable of accommodating over 1,800 people, or the Botswana Conference & Exhibition Centre whose main hall, Ditshupo, can host up to 10,000 people.
For the expat, the winning strategy rarely consists of “doing all the trade shows.” It is more effective to target the events that overlap with your sector or your objectives (raising funds, finding a distributor, getting known by the government, etc.), prepare your participation (meeting agenda, key messages, pitch adapted to the local culture), and seriously work on follow-up after the event.
Associations, Clubs, and Hubs: The Structural Nodes of the Local Network
Beyond the major trade shows, a significant part of Batswana professional life takes place within associations, chambers of commerce, and innovation hubs. For an expat, joining them or at least being present regularly can very strongly accelerate integration into local networks.
Among the key players is Business Botswana, the country’s main employers’ organization. It acts as an interlocutor with public authorities and offers events, workshops, and meetings with company leaders. For an entrepreneur or expatriate executive, it is an entry point for understanding major policy directions, reforms, and private sector issues.
The Botswana Trade and Investment Centre (BITC) is a key player for businesses. It organizes trade missions, supports exporters, and promotes the country to foreign investors. Establishing a relationship with it can facilitate access to market information, introductions to local partners, and participation in trade fairs.
Depending on their profile, an expat may also approach more specialized structures: Botswana Chamber of Mines for extractive industries, Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH) for tech startups, Young Entrepreneurs Association of Botswana (YEAB) or Youth Empowerment and Development Organization (YEDO) for a youth and entrepreneurship focus, Botswana Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA) for finance and accounting professionals, or the Botswana Exporters and Manufacturers Association (BEMA), which even offers an online sales platform (BEMA Stores) for local producers.
There are also bilateral business clubs, such as the France-Botswana Business Club (FBBC), which brings together French and Batswana companies, with the goals of defending common interests, developing mutual networks, and improving the business environment. For expats from specific countries, organizations like the American Business Council (ABC) or diaspora associations (like KEBODIA for Kenyans in Botswana) play a similar role in connecting, supporting, and representing.
France-Botswana Business Club (FBBC) and other organizations
The following table illustrates a few useful structures for an expat depending on their profile.
| Type of Structure | Organization / Club | For Which Expat Profile? |
|---|---|---|
| Employers’ Organization / Advocacy | Business Botswana | Executives, entrepreneurs, investors |
| Trade & Investment Promotion | Botswana Trade and Investment Centre (BITC) | Companies prospecting or expanding |
| Technology Hub | Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH) | Startups, engineers, digital players |
| Young Entrepreneurs | YEAB, YEDO | Early-stage entrepreneurs |
| Finance Professionals | BICA | Auditors, accountants, CFOs, financial consultants |
| Exporters & Manufacturers | BEMA | Industrial SMEs, manufacturers, exporters |
| Franco-Batswana Business Club | France-Botswana Business Club (FBBC) | French companies / Batswana partners |
| American Business Council | American Business Council (ABC) | US firms, subsidiaries, executives tied to the US market |
Joining these networks brings not only business opportunities. You also find mentors, peers capable of sharing feedback, training, or even structured mentorship programs, like the Tshipidi Mentorship Program of the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) to prepare SMEs for listing.
Leveraging Expat Communities and Social Clubs
In a country where personal relationships matter so much, expat networks are not just a space for socializing: they can be powerful professional levers, provided you approach them with strategy.
The InterNations platform, present in over 420 cities worldwide, for example, has an active community in Botswana and particularly in Gaborone. It offers monthly events, dinners, cultural outings, hikes, and sports meetups through groups like “City Trotters” (music, culture, art) or “Fitness, Wellness and Sport Group.” Excursions are organized to iconic destinations like the Okavango Delta or the edges of the Kalahari.
InterNations forums also serve as a source of practical information (how to find a nanny speaking a certain language, where to buy a stuffed turkey in Gaborone, how to navigate administrative procedures, etc.). The platform even has sub-communities by nationality, for example for Americans living in Botswana.
Alongside InterNations, there is a “Botswana Expats Club” that organizes activities to foster meetings between expats and locals, as well as a myriad of Facebook groups dedicated to expats of different nationalities or professions. They share job offers, housing deals, recommendations for service providers, and also announcements of networking events.
Sports and leisure clubs are key places to develop a valuable informal network. In Gaborone, the Gaborone Golf Club and the Phakalane Golf Estate (in the heart of a residential area popular with expats) offer 18-hole courses frequented by executives, business leaders, and senior civil servants. The Gaborone Tennis Club and the Botswana Sports Club bring together enthusiasts of tennis, rugby, cricket, and football. Modern gyms (like Virgin Active at Riverwalk Mall), running clubs near the Gaborone Dam, and private club pools are also spaces where the boundaries between social and professional life are very porous.
This fabric of activities also helps cushion the culture shock, described by anthropologists as a multi-phase process: honeymoon, confrontation, adjustment, adaptation. Participating in these communities helps avoid isolation, find informal mentors, gather advice, and sometimes land professional opportunities through word of mouth.
Mastering Social Networks in Botswana: Facebook Reigns, WhatsApp is Indispensable, LinkedIn is Strategic
On the digital front, Botswana presents a particular landscape that the expat must integrate into their networking strategy.
According to data collected in the country, more than three-quarters of the population use Facebook, which has established itself as the dominant network, particularly since the 2014 general elections. An Afrobarometer survey from 2020 indicated that social media use for news had doubled in five years, with about a third of the population using Facebook, Twitter, or WhatsApp to follow current events. Facebook is therefore the main channel for following local life, interacting with businesses, media, and even some ministries. It is also widely used by small businesses to promote their products.
WhatsApp, thanks to its low data consumption and widespread mobile adoption, is a preferred channel for B2C communication (orders, updates, invitations, group management). However, many local entrepreneurs acknowledge they are not yet fully exploiting its potential for marketing and customer relations.
Twitter remains the favored tool of elites, journalists, and political actors, but with a smaller user base. Instagram and TikTok are gaining ground, especially among urban youth in cities like Gaborone and Francistown. YouTube is also widely used for educational content and entertainment. Additionally, African solutions are emerging, like Konnect, a platform that allows content creators to monetize their posts, although their adoption is still limited.
With over a billion users, LinkedIn is the indispensable professional platform. In Botswana, it allows you to connect with company executives, consultants, senior civil servants, and association leaders. It serves as a dynamic resume, a source of professional content, and a space for groups and events. For expats, it is a valuable tool for positioning yourself as an expert, following key players, and expanding your network beyond Gaborone, particularly with regional or international contacts interested in the local market.
Building Your Online Presence for the Botswana Market
Developing your network in Botswana without investing a minimum in LinkedIn is a risky bet today. An optimized profile serves simultaneously as a business card, a showcase of skills, and an anchor point for deeper conversations.
On the form side, ensure you have a quality professional photo and a banner adapted to your sector. On the content side, go beyond a generic title to specify your concrete added value (results, expertise). Your summary should tell a coherent story aligned with your local objectives: explain your interest in Botswana, the issues you want to address there, the type of partners you are seeking, and how your approach integrates with the logic of *botho* (community impact, skills transfer, sustainability).
Particular attention should be paid to professional experiences and quantified results. Batswana are sensitive to education level and the solidity of the academic background, but also to concrete proof of success (“increased sales by X%”, “implemented a project involving public and private stakeholders”, etc.).
To be visible, a weekly publication of quality content is recommended (analysis, feedback, commentary, or testimonial). Commenting judiciously on posts by influential Batswana players allows you to be identified as a serious interlocutor, respecting the local indirect culture.
The following table summarizes a few optimization focuses for a LinkedIn profile oriented towards Botswana.
| Profile Element | Specific Recommendations for Botswana |
|---|---|
| Photo & Banner | Professional, understated, possibly with a nod to the local context |
| Headline | Highlight expertise + contribution to the Botswana market |
| Summary | Tell your story/project in Botswana, values, long-term vision |
| Experience | Illustrated by quantified results, collaborative projects, local impact |
| Skills | Combine technical and intercultural skills (negotiation, African leadership, etc.) |
| Published Content | Focus on local trends, participation in Batswana conferences and forums |
This online presence can be amplified by automation tools (Sales Navigator, messaging solutions), but always with caution: generic mass-sent messages go down very poorly in a culture that prioritizes personalization, discretion, and authenticity. It’s better to send few but well-crafted messages, personalizing each approach (reference to a shared event, genuine interest in the person’s project, mention of mutual contacts).
Forum, Kgotla, and Face-to-Face: Combining Digital and Relational in Batswana Style
A point often underestimated by expats is the importance of intelligently combining digital tools with traditional forms of dialogue. In Botswana, the kgotla – the village assembly, a place for discussion and community decision-making – remains a respected institution, especially in rural areas. It is perceived as more credible and trustworthy than the media or even social networks for certain topics, particularly when it comes to crises or sensitive decisions.
Many public institutions use the kgotla, a traditional assembly, to communicate with citizens, ease tensions, and address their concerns. For a company, especially one led by an expat, participating (directly or through local partners) is a strong gesture of recognition of community values and can strengthen its local roots.
At the same time, organizations, especially government ones, use Facebook to disseminate information, but rarely respond to comments publicly. More sensitive exchanges are moved to private messages (Messenger, SMS, phone calls), and then, if necessary, to physical meetings or dialogue during a kgotla.
For an expat, the lesson is clear: social networks are useful for making yourself visible, initiating contact, showing interest in local issues. But solid relationships are still largely built face-to-face: office meetings, lunch, participation in community events, field visits, interventions in forums or workshops. Digital serves as a gateway, not a substitute.
Very Concrete Strategies for an Expat Starting Out in Botswana
Beyond general principles, a freshly arrived expat needs practical bearings. Here are a few concrete action points, to be adapted according to your sector and experience level.
Identification and analysis of relevant events in Botswana over the next twelve months to optimize your participation and business meetings.
Use of conference alert platforms and websites of local organizations (BITC, Business Botswana, Botswana Innovation Hub) to list trade shows, forums, and conferences aligned with your objectives.
For each event, clarification of the participants present, meeting formats (B2B, speed networking, workshops, cocktails), and the level of preparation required (pitch, materials, business cards, QR codes).
Gaborone concentrates the majority of major events, but cities like Francistown, Maun, Palapye, or Kasane also host sectoral gatherings (mining, tourism, science, etc.).
A second area involves structuring your entry into the most relevant associations and clubs (Business Botswana, FBBC, BEMA, YEAB, BIH, etc.). Don’t just pay a membership fee: get involved in committees, propose a workshop, give a short presentation on a panel, attend AGMs or informal events. In a culture where initial mistrust towards foreigners exists, engagement in a local organization – over time – is a signal of seriousness.
To facilitate your integration in Botswana, it is advisable to regularly participate in expat community activities and sports or cultural clubs. Plan one or two InterNations meetings per month, join a club (like tennis or golf), and take part in outings organized by the Botswana Expats Club. These commitments help build a social safety net, meet fellow countrymen or well-integrated residents, and can lead to professional recommendations or introductions to influential Batswana.
On the digital side, a fourth area consists of taking LinkedIn seriously: perfect your profile, publish at least once a week, comment on posts by Batswana leaders or organizations like BITC, Business Botswana, BSE, BIH, BEMA. Send out a few targeted connection requests each week, always with a personalized message highlighting a common point (event, sector interest, shared contact) and a clear but non-opportunistic intention (exchange on a topic, ask for feedback, invite for coffee, etc.). A courteous follow-up within the week after the connection is accepted allows you to turn a purely virtual relationship into a real exchange.
Mentorship, Learning, and Skills Transfer: The Network as Exchange, Not as Hunting
One final structuring ingredient in Botswana is the value placed on mentorship and transmission. Many structured programs exist, whether in the private sector (e.g., the Tshipidi Mentorship Program of the Botswana Stock Exchange which supports SMEs towards IPO readiness), in engineering (the mentorship program of the Engineers Registration Board, with dozens of registered mentors in various technical specialties), or in civil society (mentorship programs for youth, for women, for specific professions).
Participating in mentorship programs, as a mentor or mentee depending on your experience, is an effective method for developing a quality network in Botswana. For a senior expat, becoming a mentor in a recognized local program allows you to gain the community’s trust, show your long-term commitment, and embody the principle of *botho* (humanity). For a junior expat, finding a local mentor through associations, hubs, or official programs helps avoid cultural missteps, benefit from practical advice for collaborating with the administration or large companies, and strengthen your credibility with Batswana interlocutors.
In all cases, the logic should remain the same: consider the network as a system of exchanges, of giving and receiving, rather than a mere hunt for opportunities. Offering help, sharing a useful resource, recommending a reliable service provider, connecting two people who can bring something to each other, sending a congratulatory message on the occasion of a promotion or a public success – all of this nurtures relational capital whose returns will materialize often much later.
Underlying: Patience, Consistency, and Respect for the Codes
Developing a professional network in Botswana is done neither in a few weeks, nor by simply chaining cocktails and lunches. Society values the long term, consistency of actions, restraint, and keeping one’s word. Decision-making processes can seem slow, with many consultations, but they reflect the desire to build consensus.
To succeed in professional and social integration in Botswana, the expat must combine two approaches. On one hand, actively use modern networking tools (trade shows, hubs, social networks, platforms like InterNations or LinkedIn). On the other hand, and crucially, respect and integrate Batswana cultural codes, especially the values of respect, hierarchy, indirect communication, and community, embodied by the concept of *botho* and by traditional institutions like the kgotla.
Under this condition, Botswana is not just a promising market or a career step: it is an environment where the professional network becomes the natural extension of a rich social and cultural fabric, in which the expat, if they play the game, can find much more than a simple address book.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
