Staff Writer
A transformative debate is currently underway on the floor of Parliament. This is a debate that could reshape the lives of over one-third of the nation. It is on the Botswana National Youth Policy (NYP) 2026–2036 has been tabled by the Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs, Lesego Chombo, representing the most extensive and inclusive policy development process in the country’s history.
While the policy is currently being debated by MPs and is yet to be formally adopted, it sets a bold vision for the next decade.
In the context of the National Assembly, a policy serves as a vital framework and a formal statement of intent for government action. While it is not a law in the form of an Act, it acts as the official blueprint that provides a well-coordinated framework for integrated programming. Therefore, Minister Chombo has clarified that this document is a necessary precursor to the upcoming Youth Development Act, which will eventually give these strategies legal force and convert broad intentions into enforceable national obligations.
Summary of the Policy (The New Pillars)
The 2026–2036 policy represents a crucial paradigm shift by adopting an asset-based approach that views young people as strategic national assets rather than a problem to be fixed. This strategy is built upon eight thematic areas designed to equip youth with market-driven skills, particularly through STEAM education and AI innovation to foster employability in a knowledge-based economy. It moves beyond mere academic completion to focus on a seamless transition into the labor market by aligning vocational training with actual industry demands. Additionally, the policy prioritizes holistic wellbeing by establishing national rehabilitation centres to reduce substance abuse and creating mental health coordinating structures to improve service delivery across all districts.
For the ordinary Motswana, the adoption of this policy translates into tangible economic and social improvements. Young entrepreneurs will benefit from a significant increase in the government procurement quota, which is targeted to reach 40% of the budget by 2030, with specific portions reserved for women-owned businesses and persons with disabilities. To ensure these opportunities reach beyond urban centres, the government aims to establish Youth Development Resource Centres in all districts and equip public libraries with co-working spaces and high-speed internet to support remote work.
Furthermore, vulnerable households are targeted through community-based agriculture projects aimed at reducing food insecurity for 80% of those in need. The policy also ensures that the population living with disabilities will have 90% of educational materials made accessible to them by 2029.
The current policy framework actively seeks to dismantle historical barriers such as bureaucratic red tape and structural exclusion. In a major shift from the status quo where the median age of decision-makers is 60, the new framework mandates a 25% quota for youth representation on all public and private management boards and sets a target for 35% of leadership positions to be held by young people. This institutional reform is further supported by the re-establishment of a functional Botswana Youth Parliament to normalize youth presence in governance. To ensure these commitments are not merely rhetorical, a National Youth Development Commission will be established to report directly to Parliament, utilizing a new Youth Development Scorecard to maintain performance discipline and ensure transparency across every government ministry.
