Botswana’s Sustainable Development

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Botswana's Sustainable Development Report 2024

Botswana recently released its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Domesticated Indicator Framework Report 2024, providing a comprehensive overview of the country's progress toward achieving the UN's 2030 Agenda. Here’s a simple breakdown of the most important findings — and why it matters for your future.

Quick Highlights

• Poverty: 13.9% of Batswana live below the national poverty line.

• Food Security: 53.29% experience moderate or severe food insecurity.

• Unemployment: The overall unemployment rate is 25.9%; youth unemployment (NEET) stands at 38.5%.

• Education: Literacy rate is 86%; teacher qualification rate is an impressive 99%.

• Electricity Access: 73.9% of Batswana have access to electricity.

• Internet Use: 57.9% of the population uses the internet.

• GDP Growth: 2.7% in 2023 — still below the 7% target for developing economies.

• Gender Equality: 55.5% of agricultural land parcels are owned by women.

How This Affects Young Entrepreneurs

• Business Opportunity: Gaps in food security, internet access, and electricity highlight areas where young entrepreneurs can innovate.

• Agri-business: With food insecurity high, there's a big opportunity for youth-led agribusinesses, food production, and distribution startups.

• Green Energy Startups: Only 73.9% access to electricity shows opportunities in renewable energy solutions for underserved areas.

How This Affects Young Professionals

• Job Market: With high unemployment rates, especially for youth, young professionals should target industries aligned with national development — agriculture, education, health, and tech.

• Skills Upgrade: Sectors like renewable energy, digital finance, and social services are areas where demand for skilled workers is expected to grow.

How This Affects Students

• Education Opportunities: Strong literacy rates and teacher qualifications mean a solid base — but students should focus on STEM, environmental sciences, health, and digital fields.

• Internet Access: With just under 60% internet usage, there's still a digital divide — students who leverage online learning platforms will stay ahead.

Botswana is making progress, but challenges remain. For the next generation of leaders, workers, and innovators, these gaps represent opportunities to build businesses, careers, and projects that not only create wealth but also help move Botswana closer to the 2030 goals.