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  3. Business Botswana and Ministry of Youth & Gender Affairs Sign MoU to Boost Youth and Women Entrepreneurship

Business Botswana and Ministry of Youth & Gender Affairs Sign MoU to Boost Youth and Women Entrepreneurship

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15 Aug, 2025

This morning, Business Botswana (BB) and the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs (MYGA) have formed a strategic partnership to create new opportunities for youth and women entrepreneurs, especially in the SMME and informal sectors. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed at a ceremony in Gaborone, establishes a foundation for collaboration in market access, skills development, policy advocacy, and public-private partnerships.

In her welcome remarks, Permanent Secretary in the MYGA, Ms. Bridget Poppy John, emphasised the importance of ensuring that empowerment efforts produce tangible results, stating but practical, sustainable, and directly linked to the needs of Botswana’s modern economy.”

Under the agreement, both parties will:

1) Create platforms for youth and women-owned businesses to access local and international markets;

2) Develop entrepreneurial and technical skills to boost competitiveness;

3)Share market intelligence, research, and business opportunities;

4) Advocate for policies and reforms that lessen barriers to growth; and

5) Promote local and international public-private partnerships.

Speaking at the ceremony, Business Botswana CEO, Mr. Norman Moleele, noted that the collaboration comes at a critical time, saying, “With over half of Botswana’s population under 30, and many women leading enterprises in the SMME and informal sectors, this MoU is a bold step toward diversifying our economy, creating jobs, and forstering innovation. Together, we are building a stronger, more dynamic, and inclusive Botswana”

Mr. Moleele also highlighted BB’s extensive market linkages, citing its role as Chair of the SADC Private Sector Forum, founding member of the SADC Business Council, and member of the International Organisation of Employers, networks that will aid youth and women entrepreneurs in gaining broader market access.

Ms. John added that women need impactful facilitation to ensure they can equally contribute to economic growth. Both organisations have committed to establishing a Joint Implementation Committee to oversee the execution of the MoU and ensure it yields measurable results.

This partnership aligns with the broader goal of developing a private sector-led, export-oriented, high-income economy, while ensuring that youth and women actively participate in the nation’s economic transformation.