17 Aug 2025

Business Botswana and the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs have formalised a partnership aimed at bridging the gap between policy and opportunity, ensuring that youth and women led businesses thrive and contribute to the economy.

Speaking at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Gaborone on August 15, Mr Norman Moleele, chief executive officer of Business Botswana, said the organisation mandate was to stimulate growth, competitiveness and sustainability of businesses across all sectors.

Mr Moleele said the partnership would strengthen joint commitment to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators through targeted youth initiatives. “Business Botswana brings the collective strength of the private sector, including access to markets, investment networks and advocacy platforms,” he said.

He outlined that the MoU would focus on creating platforms for youth and women-led businesses to expand and access markets, develop skills and capabilities necessary for competitiveness, and promote public-private as well as international partnerships to broaden opportunities.

Additionally, he said the partnership aims to advocate for policies and reforms that lower barriers to enterprise growth.

Supporting the youth, Mr Moleele argued that it would lead to a stronger, more dynamic and inclusive economy.Business Botswana pledged to mobilise its members, networks, and resources to support youth and women led enterprises.

The organisation also committed to active participation in the joint implementation committee, which will monitor and evaluate progress.

He called for the establishment of a practical, action-oriented implementation plan to track achievements, address challenges, and ensure that youth and women led businesses not only survived but throve and made meaningful contributions to the economy.

In her remarks, Ms Bridget John, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs, affirmed that the partnership aimed to ensure empowerment initiatives were not merely well-intentioned but were practical, sustainable, and directly aligned with the needs of the modern economy.

She stressed that the collaboration would focus on issues such as youth and women empowerment, bridging skills gaps, advocacy and policy reform, entrepreneurship, networking, mentoring and promoting women’s leadership. ENDS