The Embassy of Botswana in London

Amb. Shimane Lawrence Gaokgethelwe Kelaotswe

H.E. Shimane Gaokgethelwe Lawrence Kelaotswe is a seasoned Botswana diplomat with more than twenty-five years of service in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration from the University of Botswana in 1991, a foundation that prepared him for a long career in public service and foreign diplomacy. Over the decades, he rose through the ranks of the Ministry, eventually serving as a Deputy Director, a role that placed him at the centre of Botswana’s diplomatic planning, policy coordination, and international engagement.

In November 2023, the Government of Botswana appointed him High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, one of the country’s most strategically significant diplomatic postings due to historic Commonwealth ties and strong economic relations. He formally presented his Letters of Commission to His Majesty The King in November 2024, officially beginning his tenure in London. Beyond the UK, his portfolio extends to multiple other countries to which he is concurrently accredited, reflecting the government’s confidence in his capability to manage complex, multi-country diplomatic responsibilities.