The Complete Guide to Project Management in Botswana 2024

• David Njoroge
• 09 Aug, 2023
• 0 Comments
• 5 Mins Read

Businesses, worldwide, are changing how they go about their work. They are employing qualified individuals to handle a certain portion of work for a specified time. These individuals have to be competent in the area of project management. This is because the work is mostly either launching a new product or service in the market or revamping an old product or service.

Without a doubt, companies and organizations in Botswana are looking for project managers. The southern African nation is seeing an expansion in various sectors such as mining, energy, financial services and tourism. It is for this reason that the country requires people with prowess in project management.

Project Management Course in Botswana

A citizen of Botswana is on track to be a project manager by enrolling in a course and earning a certification in project management. Such a course is taught at several institutions of higher learning that are accredited by the government of Botswana. The other way is earning a Project Management Institute (PMI) certification which can open the way to a job in that field.

How to Earn a Project Management Degree in Botswana

A degree in project management in Botswana can be realized. Currently, only private universities in the country offer it. The undergraduate programme carries a different name depending on the university. But the objective to produce graduates with knowledge and skills in project planning, design and implementation is the same.

Here are the universities offering degree in project management in Botswana:

1. Gaborone University College of Law and Professional Studies
2. The Institute of Development Management

Admission Requirements

Here is what is needed during application for a bachelor’s in project management in Botswana:

• Pass the Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) or equivalent with a minimum grade D in five subjects and a minimum grade C in Mathematics and English.
• OR a Diploma in a relevant field from a recognized institution.

Course Duration and Structure

The Bachelor of Project Management programme in Botswana takes four years for full time students. But it can take longer for part-time students. With a view to cater to needs of different students, these universities have a flexible schedule.

Here are the common courses in a project management degree in Botswana:

1. Introduction to Project Management
2. Quality Management
3. Risk Management
4. Cost Management
5. Human Resource Management
6. Project Planning, Organizing and Tracking
7. Project Monitoring and Evaluation
8. Stakeholder Management
9. Strategic Management
10. Research Methods

Course Fees in Botswana

Tuition fees for a bachelor of project management in Botswana per academic year is between 50,000 Botswana Pula and 100,000 Botswana Pula. This fee covers the cost of registration, tuition and examinations. Additional costs are meant for students to access university resources like library and internet.

Project Management Short Course in Botswana

There are universities and colleges in Botswana which give lectures in project management in form of a short course. Indeed, you can take it at Botswana Open University and pay about 6,000 Botswana Pula for the entire course. The course takes either a few weeks or a few months. Students gain practical skills in class that they can use in the real world.

Which is the Highest Level of Education in Project Management in Botswana?

A master’s degree in project management is generally available in Botswana. This type of degree helps students gain research experience and more specialized knowledge beyond what an undergraduate degree offers. However, a doctor of philosophy (PhD) in project management is the highest academic degree that can be awarded. There are a few universities in the country that offer this kind of graduate degree.

Which Certification is Best for Project Management in Botswana?

Typically, there are some employers who prefer to hire project managers who hold PMI certifications. This is because PMI is the primary organization offering professional certificates in project management. Many project managers pursue either a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification or a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or even both.

How to Become a Certified Project Manager in Botswana

PMI has a branch in Botswana called PMI Botswana chapter. Therefore, an aspiring project manager in Botswana is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) by PMI Botswana. It’s the most widely recognized certification in the world.

Here is what it takes to qualify for a PMP certification in Botswana:

• For those who have completed secondary school (high school) education, need to put in 60 months of experience leading projects and 35 hours of project management training or have CAPM certification
• For those who have completed a four-year degree, need to put in 36 months of experience leading projects and 35 hours of project management training or have CAPM certification
• Prepare for the PMP exam by studying. The cost of the classes depends on the institution and the format. A student can be trained either in person or online. There are several authorized training centers alongside accredited institutions in Botswana that offer PMP certification classes.
• Clearly, with a CAPM certification, a student does not need to fulfil the 35-hour education requirement.
• The next step is paying the PMP exam fee. For a PMI member, it costs US405 Dollars (about 5,500 Botswana Pula) while for a non-PMI member it costs US555 Dollars (about 7,500 Botswana Pula).
• After paying, a student can schedule their exam. The exam can be taken online or at a testing center in Botswana accredited by Pearson Vue. In case a student fails, they can retake the exam up to three times in one year.
• A student who passes the exam becomes PMP certified. A certified project manager in Botswana must keep their certification active by completing certain stages of continuing education.

Project Management Careers in Botswana

Project manager is among the jobs resulting from studying project management in Botswana. Since their work is to oversee specific projects, they can be found in every type of organization. They use their skills to create products and services for a variety of industries. The sectors where project managers work include:

• Construction and real estate
• Engineering
• Information Technology (IT)
• Manufacturing
• Hospitality
• Transportation and logistics
• Financial services
• Advertising and marketing
• Retail
• Non-profit

Project Manager Salary in Botswana

Project managers in Botswana earn an estimated salary that ranges from 180,000 Botswana Pula to 240,000 Botswana Pula a year. Besides, the salary will be different based on level of experience from entry level to mid-level to senior level. The other factor that determines a project manager’s salary is the size of the project and the industry.

Assistant Project Manager Salary in Botswana

Assistant project managers in Botswana earn an estimated salary that ranges from 84,000 Botswana Pula to 120,000 Botswana Pula. Since they help the project manager in running a project, their salary is less than their immediate supervisor. Project size, nature of the industry and level of experience are also considered in setting their pay.

Job Outlook for Project Managers in Botswana

There is a significant demand in Botswana for project managers. As businesses in the country increase the number of projects they are initiating, the higher the need for professionals who can execute them successfully. Organizations in Botswana are constantly looking for ways to improve their project management practices.