Botswana Employer of Record & Payroll

Africa Deployments Botswanaย offers our clientsย Employer of Record (EOR)ย servicesย covering all of the regions within.ย  We offer full-time employment or fixed terms contracts based on your requirements in Botswana ย for locals or expatriates.ย  ADS will take care of the work permit under our umbrella and will issue local work contracts to your contractors.ย  We will also advise our clientโ€™s on best Human Resource (HR) practices when setting up the employeeโ€™s locally in Botswana.

ADSย takes care of theย local tax & PAYEย remittances to the Revenue Services on a monthly basis ensuring that they are fully compliant with the law.ย  We will also ensure that their salaries are paid on time monthly and issue them with their pay slips. In addition to our services, we can offer you the employee in Botswana,ย Medical, Disability, Life,ย and Workmenโ€™s Compensation Insurances. Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana, is a country along theย Gulf of Guineaย and the Atlantic Ocean, in the subregion of West Africa.

Blessed with some of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth, Botswana is one of the best safari destinations in Africa. 38% of Botswanaโ€™s total land area is devoted to national parks, reserves and wildlife management areas.

Accordingly there are many diverse areas to explore, including the grass plains of the Central Kalahari, salt pans, marshes and the watery world of the Okavango Delta.

Population

2.588 million (2021)

Currency
Botswanan Pula
Capital

Gaborone

Language

English

GDP

17.61 billion USD (2021)

Industries

Agriculture & Manufacturing

What is the main language spoken in Botswana:

In Botswana the official languages are English and Tswana.

English is used for official business and most written communication, whilst Tswana is the country’s national language, spoken by most of the population.

The number of individual living languages listed for Botswana is ยฑ31; 26 being indigenous and 5 being non-indigenous.

What type of employment contracts can you offer in Botswana:

Through our employer of record (EOR) solutions in Botswana, we can offer the following types of employment contracts:
  • Fixed Term
  • Indefinite term
Contracts and Offer Letters must:
  • Be in writing
  • Be in the official local language and the local currency
  • Include salary/compensation, benefits and termination requirements
Full-time Employees:
  • Have specific working terms and conditions
  • Can be eligible for organizational perks and/or other benefits
  • Tend to be more focused [as only one employer] and familiar with the specific business โ€“ due to e.g. ongoing company training etc.
  • Probationary period is 12 months [maximum]; probationary terms to be provided in writing to the employee ahead of employment.

WHAT INCOME IS TAXABLE IN Botswana:

Any individual who works and lives in Botswana for more the 183 days a year will be subject to local taxes in Botswana. They maintain a permanent home in Botswana. The tax years from effectively from 1 August to 30 September the following year. They may not be present for more than 122 days in the tax year and the two preceding tax years after that.

Any income earned in the form of cash, wages, salary, overtime, leave pay or payment in lieu of leave, commissions, gratuity, bonus, or any amount that has benefited the employee. All income will be taxed in accordance with the law and the final payroll issued monthly.

What income is exempt from taxes in Botswana:

Exempt income/earnings include: The value of contractual travel benefits for employees and their families. Medical fund contributions and medical attention paid for by the employer. One third of contractual terminal gratuities payable to expatriate employees.

Standard working hours: Number Overtime to be paid?

In Botswana, the standard workweek is 45 hours. Overtime is any time worked beyond this, and employees must be paid at least 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for these extra hours. It’s important for employers and employees to understand the rules around overtime pay to ensure fair treatment in the workplace.

Mandatory contributions?

Employee

Contribution Type Contribution Rate Threshold
Social Security Fund (CNaPS)
2%
P500
National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM)
1%
None
National Pension Fund (CNAPS)
1%
P1,000

Employer

Contribution Type Contribution Rate Threshold
Social Security (CNaPS)
3%
P500
National Health Insurance (CNAM)
1%
None
National Employment and Vocational Training Fund (FNEF)
1%
P1,000

Social

Contribution Type Employers Employees
Social Security (CNaPS)
3%
2%
National Health Insurance (CNAM)
1%
1%
National Employment and Vocational Training Fund (FNEF)
1%
1%

What is the Maternity and Paternity policy within Botswana:

Maternal leave:
  • In most cases:
    • Paid at minimum 50% of basic pay for employees [usually part employer part insurance]
    • Doctorโ€™s certificate required
  • 12 weeks [minimum of 6 weeks to be post birth]
Paternal leave:
  • There is no statutory paternity leave in Botswana

What type of leave is allowed in Botswana:

Annual leave
  • 15 days paid leave annually
Sick leave
  • 20 days per year

Do I need to pay a mandatory bonus annually OR is it discretionary in Botswana:

In Botswana there is no statutory requirement to pay the 13th or 14th month salary/bonus. Bonuses are generally at the employerโ€™s discretion, and agreed within the employment contract.

What Gratuity / Severance payments do you need to provide for Botswana:

  • Gratuity or severance payments are not mandatory for all employees in Botswana. They are typically required for permanent employees who have been terminated or retrenched.
  • The amount of the gratuity or severance payment will depend on various factors such as the length of employment, reason for termination, and the terms of the employment contract.
  • However, the minimum amount of gratuity or severance payment required under the law is:
    • One month’s salary for each completed year of service if the employee has been employed for less than 10 years.
    • Two months’ salary for each completed year of service if the employee has been employed for 10 years or more.
  • Employers are also required to provide notice of termination to their employees, which varies depending on the employee’s length of service:
    • Less than 2 years: 1 week’s notice
    • 2-5 years: 2 weeks’ notice
    • 5-10 years: 4 weeks’ notice
    • More than 10 years: 3 months’ notice

CAN YOU GIVE FRINGE BENEFITS IN Botswana:

Yes you can but keep in mind that Fringe Benefits will be subject to employee PAYE tax. Only benefits that cannot be converted to cash will not be subject to tax. If the employer covers some of the employeesโ€™ expenses i.e. mobile phone then it must be subject to PAYE tax and either the employer will cover this portion for the employee or the employee will bear the PAYE tax.

Mandatory Probation period of Botswana:

Botswana labor laws do not require a mandatory probation period.

What are the Corporate and VAT / Sales tax rates in Botswana:

Corporate Tax Rates: 22% [in general]

VAT / Sales Tax Rates: 14% [on most goods and services]

Public Holidays in Botswana:

  • January 1 - New Year's Day
  • January 2 - Public Holiday
  • January 3 - New Year's Day
  • Aprilย  07 - Good Friday
  • April 10 - Easter Monday
  • May 1 - Labour Day
  • May 18 - Ascension
  • July 17 - President's Day
  • July 18 - President's Day
  • September 30 - Botswana Day
  • October 01 - Botswana Day
  • October 02 - Botswana Day
  • December 25 - Christmas Day
  • December 26 - Boxing Day
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What Industries we support in Botswana:

  • Non-Governmental Organization’s (NGO) / Non- profit
  • Engineering & Construction
  • Government / Development Agencies
  • Oil & Gas
  • FMCG & Manufacturing
  • Private Equality, Finance, Insurance & Banking
  • Mining
  • Agriculture

The information provided above is for an “informative decisionโ€ and may change at any given time without prior notice.ย  We always suggest speaking to one of our Sales Consultants before engaging in country.

Can we help you with Botswana?