- Following Botswana’s independence, the coordination and management of foreign relations was bestowed upon the Department of External Affairs, guided by the leadership of Honourable Moutlakgola P.K. Nwako as the country’s first Foreign Minister, a portfolio he combined as Minister of State, Office of the President from 1966 to 1969.
- Honourable Edwin S. Masisi then took over the helm from 1969 -1972 followed by Honourable B. Kgari from 1972 to 1974. Honourable Archibald A.M. Mogwe then assumed the position from 1974 to 1984. The first woman to serve as Minister of Foreign Affairs, was Honourable Dr. Gaositwe Chiepe from 1984 to 1994, a period which coincided with the Ministry being elevated from a Department to a fully-fledged Ministry in 1992. Honourable Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Mompati S Merafhe followed suit and was at the helm from 1994-2008, after which Honourable Phandu Skelemani occupied the position from 2008 to 2014.
- Subsequently, Honourable Dr. Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi took over as Foreign Minister from 2014 to 2018, after which the office was occupied by Honourable Vincent T. Seretse for a short period during 2018. Honourable Dr. Unity Dow took over the position from 2018 to 2020, followed by Honourable Dr. Lemogang Kwape, who served from 2020 to 2024. The current Foreign Minister is Honourable Dr. Phenyo Butale who assumed the Ministerial portfolio in 2024.
