France and Botswana

Political relations

Based on shared democratic values, the bilateral relationship is confident and friendly. It was boosted by the opening of an embassy in Gaborone in July 2000, when the headquarters of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) moved to the city. The head of the French diplomatic mission is also France’s Special Representative to the SADC. In March 2019, Botswana opened a fully functioning embassy in Paris (France was previously covered from Brussels) symbolizing the strength of the ties between the two countries.

French presence

The French community in Botswana: on 31 December 2017, there were 96 registered French people (including 34 with dual citizenship).

Botswanan community in France: 26 registered in 2016.

Visits

On 22 February 2018, Botswanan Minister of Defence Shaw Kgathi visited France and was received by French Minister for the Armed Forces Florence Parly.

The official visit to France on 20 and 21 March 2008 of President Mogae, and that of President Khama in June 2015, helped develop our political relationship. French Minister of the Ecology, Sustainable and Development Ségolène Royal also visited Botswana in August 2015 during COP 21 preparations.

French Ambassador to Botswana: Laurence Beau
Botswanan Ambassador to France: Mustaq Moorad

^{Updated: August 2020}