A comprehensive and balanced approach is needed to address youth unemployment in Botswana, according to a new report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The report, titled Youth Employment in Botswana, calls for integrated interventions on both the supply and demand sides of the labour market. It recommends educational reforms to reduce skills mismatches and ease the transition from education to employment, alongside economic policy shifts to create jobs and support youth aspirations. The UNDP emphasises that Botswana’s significant demographic advantage must be harnessed to support long-term development.
The report advocates for a strong, inclusive policy framework within the education system to promote employability, entrepreneurship, equal opportunities, and job creation. It recommends the development of a new National Human Resource Development Strategy, a Skills Development and Employment Promotion Strategy, a revised National Policy on Education, and an Education and Training Sector Strategic Plan.
To foster sustainable growth, the UNDP highlights the need to enhance Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs. These must be high-quality and relevant to labor market needs to ensure young people are equipped for the workforce and can contribute meaningfully to economic development.
The integration of technology into curricula is also crucial, the report notes, as it would broaden access to education and improve digital literacy.
Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are central to the UNDP’s recommendations for tracking progress and ensuring the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing youth unemployment.
“Performance monitoring and management systems in the education sector should be introduced to ensure that decision-making is routinely informed by robust data and evidence, and corrective actions are promptly initiated,” the report states.
The report further recommends tailoring monitoring and evaluation programs to address the unique challenges faced by different youth groups.
“Monitoring and policy measures need to address separately the ‘younger youth’ and the ‘older youth,’” it notes.
On the demand side, the report stresses the importance of a private sector-led economy as the key driver of job creation across various industries. It urges the government to create an enabling environment that fosters fair competition and supports regional integration.
To attract foreign direct investment, the UNDP recommends the development of an industrial policy that cushions high-risk investments, particularly in digital manufacturing and green energy sectors.
The report also advises a rebalancing of roles between the private sector and state-owned enterprises, arguing that reforming these enterprises is critical to establishing a level playing field for all commercial participants.
