10 Nov 2026

Partnerships are the foundational engine of sustainable capacity building, shifting development models away from temporary, external fixes and toward lasting, locally driven transformation.

Speaking during the State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) in Gaborone yesterday, President Advocate Duma Boko said that by pooling distinct resources, technical knowledge, and local networks, strategic alliances turn short-term training into resilient institutional systems. Therefore, he said his administration valued and recognised partnering with key local players to build a resilient economy through human capital investment.

President Boko stated that in a bid to improve the productivity of human resources and ready them for industrialisation, Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) remained a key focus of the current administration. 

Furthermore, he noted that implemented reforms have triggered interest in this educational pathway among young people.

“We have established strategic partnerships with De Beers, MMG Khoemacau, Naledi Mining Corporation, and the Maikarabelo Movement,” said President Boko.

In addition,President Boko said the partnership with De Beers provided internship opportunities, while Khoemacau was transforming Maun Technical College into a Mining Centre of Excellence. 

As for the Maikarabelo Movement, he said the partnership provided hands-on experience for TVET students, with 100 youth-owned textile entrepreneurs already trained.

He highlighted that through the skills component of the Ikageng Public Works Programme, nearly 27 600 young people were engaged, 79 percent of whom were women.

“The initiative represents a massive investment in our youth, with a total labor expenditure of over P820 million since 2025, out of which over P274 million was paid directly to Ikageng-trained youth,” said Advocate Boko.

President emphasised that Botswana would not change radically if the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC)-led government cautiously limited its imagination, belief, planning and determination within the proverbial boxes of the possible. 

Furthermore, he said due to limited resources, government had become increasingly frugal and efficient in the allocation of these resources towards their commitment.  

After decades of diamond led-growth, he noted that the UDC led-government was writing a new chapter in their development trajectory through the Diamonds for Development Fund.

Implemented this year, he said through enduring partnership with DeBeers, the fund was governed by an independent Board.

The President expressed gratitude to report that the fund had received an initial P1 billion annual payment of the P10 billion contribution from the De Beers Group. ENDS