Botswana’s youth unemployment rate rises

The Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance Report released on Monday has painted a bleak picture of the prospects of youth in sub-Saharan Africa. The report indicates that Africa is struggling with improving the quality of life of its people, particularly youth. It further notes that while human rights have improved, freedom of expression is threatened and civil society is not open to express their grievances publicly for fear of negative repercussions. The report findings indicate that youth employment and participation in governance remains at an all time low. The report also indicates that African governments have failed to create substantial opportunities for youth, who make up for a larger percentage of the population on the continent. The report notes that Africa’s population has increased by about 26% in the past decade comprised of largely youth, and it is anticipated to increase in the coming years. It further notes that unemployment in Botswana was at its all time high, citing an increase to 18.1% in 2017 from 17% in 2016, Mo Ibrahim has been quoted on his social media page noting that it is time for Afro-realism and sound policies that are aimed at delivering results. The Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance is a tool that measures and monitors governance performance in 54 African countries on an annual basis, and covers sustainable economic opportunity, human development, safety and rule of law, participation and human rights. During his inaugural speech as president earlier this year, President Mokgweetsi Masisi vowed to tackle youth unemployment, which has been a challenge in Botswana for several years. Government has in the past years tried to create initiatives to address unemployment including internships, skills up-skilling and entrepreneurship funding. Reports from different parties in society have complained that the current education system releases “unskilled and illiterate” graduates who lack the knowledge, insight, skills and competence to take part in the workforce and hence contribute to economic growth.