05 Apr 2022

As the clock ticks towards April 24, the date for commencement of Forbes Under 30 Summit, Botswana is pulling out all the stops to make the global event not only memorable but to usher in a new era of international collaborations.

Come April 24, all eyes will be on Botswana as 600 of the world’s most elite young entrepreneurs and game-changers convene on its soil for the five-day summit. 

Every Motswana seems to be waiting with much anticipation for the realisation of President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s vision  of making Botswana a conference destination of choice.

Themed ‘The African Century: Inspiration, Innovation, Exploration’, the summit will drive critical conversations on sustainability and global problems. 

It will inspire entrepreneurship in Botswana and abroad and further explore ways the world can invest in and engage with the growing  entrepreneurship potential across Southern Africa.

The summit comes at a time when Botswana feels reinvigorated in its pursuit of a transformation agenda that places youth at the core of development planning with well-established policy frameworks that seek to promote young people’s participation in economic development.

Besides immersing themselves in the country’s culture, delegates will have the opportunity to experience first-hand how Botswana is harnessing the power of entrepreneurial capitalism.

To the local organising steering committee, it’s all systems go. 

According to Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Mr Mmusi Kgafela, preparations are well on track.

 He says several teams,  comprising representatives from both the public and private sectors, have been constituted and are working tirelessly to ensure Botswana delivers a successful summit.

Charged with overseeing the country’s readiness and success of the historical event, Minister Kgafela says the committee has held consultative meetings with relevant stakeholders in both hosting venues, Gaborone and Kasane.

He says Botswana’s COVID-19 protocols and immigration requirements have already been communicated to all those expected to take part and reaffirmed local airlines’ commitment to consistent provision of flights on the dates in question.

Minister Kgafela is also upbeat about the hospitality industry’s readiness saying it has been inducted.

Consultations with security agencies are also at an advanced stage to ensure participants’ safety and security.

He is optimistic that the summit will boost local business since most goods and services will be procured locally.

The business community was therefore urged to position itself for maximising benefits from the summit.

Minister Kgafela notes that Forbes has extended the entry age from 30 to 33 since the summit was previously scheduled for 2020 and had to be postponed due to COVID-19.

“People should be cognisant of the fact that the summit postponement impacted on those participants who were under 30 in 2020 hence some adjustments had to be made to accommodate them,” reveals Mr Kgafela.

The minister further reveals that government, in conjunction with the private sector, will finance 200 youth entrepreneurs to give them an opportunity to interact with game changers with the possibility of establishing long term business partnerships.

He explains that for one to be considered for participation, they should have an operational business two years or older, profit generating with an active website and be available to participate in all future Forbes summits.

The benefits of hosting a Forbes summit are countless as it has attracted venture capitalists and business role models who will share ideas and experiences with local youth entrepreneurs. 

In addition, local entrepreneurs will have ample opportunities to pitch their business ideas to potential partners or uncover new market access prospects. BOPA