Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Botswana to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Italian Republic, and Head of the Permanent Delegation to the European Union
His Excellency Justice Dr. Zeinub Kebonang is an accomplished jurist, diplomat, academic, and strategic leader with more than twenty-five years of distinguished service across the judiciary, public administration, financial services, telecommunications regulation, higher education, and international governance.
Prior to his appointment as Ambassador of the Republic of Botswana, Justice Dr. Kebonang served as a Judge of the High Court of Botswana from 2017 to 2025. During his judicial career, he also served as Acting Chief Justice and Acting Judge of the Court of Appeal, where he presided over complex constitutional, commercial, administrative, and public law matters, contributing significantly to the advancement of Botswana’s jurisprudence and the rule of law.
Justice Dr. Kebonang possesses an exceptional academic background that combines law, business, entrepreneurship, technology, and public policy. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Investment Law from the Australian National University, a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Harvard Law School, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Botswana, and a Master of Entrepreneurship from the University of Botswana. He is also pursuing an Executive Master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain through Eaton Business School in collaboration with Guglielmo Marconi University.
His multidisciplinary education reflects his commitment to preparing leaders capable of navigating the rapidly evolving intersection of law, economics, innovation, digital transformation, and global governance.
Before joining the Judiciary, Justice Dr. Kebonang held several senior executive positions within Botswana’s public and private sectors. He served as Director of Legal Services and Acting Deputy Chief Executive of the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA), where he played a leading role in telecommunications regulation, digital policy development, competition law, and institutional governance.
Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership positions with Barclays Bank of Botswana in investment and corporate finance, Botswana Unified Revenue Service, Botswana Telecommunications Authority, and the Botswana-UPenn Partnership, where he oversaw strategic operations, finance, legal affairs, procurement, information technology, and organizational development.
Justice Dr. Kebonang began his professional career in academia as a Lecturer in Law at the University of Botswana, where he taught taxation, constitutional law, company law, labour law, administrative law, property law, and commercial law. He has also served internationally as a Visiting Professor at the University of Ottawa (Canada), a Visiting Scholar at Harvard Law School, and a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Pretoria.
Widely recognised as a thought leader, Justice Dr. Kebonang has authored and co-authored numerous books, book chapters, technical reports, and peer-reviewed publications on international investment law, taxation, competition law, constitutional governance, public administration, democracy, leadership, telecommunications regulation, and African development. His research has appeared in internationally respected academic journals and continues to influence policy discussions within Africa and beyond.
His distinguished public service extends beyond the judiciary and academia. He has chaired and served on several national boards and commissions, including as Chairperson of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DISS), Founding Chairperson and Commissioner of the Botswana Competition Authority, and Member of the Botswana Tax Adjudication Board. Throughout these appointments, he has contributed to strengthening governance, regulatory oversight, institutional accountability, and public sector reform.
Justice Dr. Kebonang has represented Botswana at numerous international conferences and high-level policy forums across Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, and Australia, covering subjects including digital transformation, telecommunications, cybersecurity, competition policy, investment law, international taxation, financial regulation, and sustainable development.
As Ambassador, he is committed to deepening Botswana’s longstanding relations with Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy, and the institutions of the European Union. His diplomatic priorities include strengthening political dialogue, expanding trade and investment, promoting innovation and digital cooperation, supporting educational and cultural partnerships, advancing sustainable development, and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships that contribute to Botswana’s national development agenda.
Justice Dr. Kebonang combines legal excellence, strategic vision, academic distinction, and extensive leadership experience with a steadfast commitment to public service. His career reflects Botswana’s enduring values of integrity, good governance, innovation, and international cooperation.
He is fluent in English and Setswana.