Finance Insights with Tshoganetso

Explore how Botswana’s labour laws may be limiting youth employment opportunities. Featuring expert insights, policy analysis, and reform recommendations. A Generation Left Behind Botswana’s youth are more educated than ever before but also more unemployed. With youth unemployment rising to  34.4% in 2023 , compared to a national average of 25.9%  1 , many are asking:  Are Botswana’s labour laws helping or hurting youth employment opportunities? Understanding Botswana’s Labour Laws A Framework Built for Stability, Not Flexibility Botswana’s labour laws are designed to protect workers’ rights and promote fair employment. However, critics argue that these laws are  rigid, outdated , and  ill-suited to the modern economy . “The current labour framework was built for a different era,” says  Neo Dimbungu , a development economist at the University of Botswana. “It prioritizes job security over job creation, which is problematic in a country with high youth unemp...

Discover why Botswana's graduates are still jobless despite increasing education levels. Explore the deep-rooted skills mismatch crisis and expert insights on how to fix it. A Paradox in Progress Botswana, a nation that has invested heavily in education since independence, is facing an ironic challenge: thousands of graduates are still jobless. Despite academic qualifications, young Batswana are struggling to find work. The core issue? A persistent and widening skills mismatch crisis in Botswana . According to recent labor force surveys, youth unemployment stands at over 36%, with graduates comprising a significant proportion. As the country strives to diversify its economy beyond diamonds, this disconnect between education and employment threatens long-term development. What Is a Skills Mismatch? A skills mismatch occurs when the skills possessed by workers (or graduates) do not align with the needs of employers. In Botswana, this mismatch manifests in three main forms: Vertical ...

Explore whether Botswana’s 2024/2025 budget truly serves the people or primarily benefits politicians. Featuring expert quotes, budget analysis, and reform suggestions. Budgeting for Whom? Botswana’s 2024/2025 national budget has been hailed as “transformational” by government officials. But many citizens and economists are asking a more critical question:  Is Botswana’s budget serving politicians or the people? With a 23.5% increase in spending and billions allocated to “Game-Changing Programmes,” the stakes are high. But so is public scepticism. Inside the 2024/2025 Budget: Priorities and Pitfalls Where the Money Is Going According to the Ministry of Finance  1 , the budget includes: P20.82 billion  for strategic investments P5.43 billion  for water and sanitation P3.71 billion  for roads and rail P2.63 billion  for food security P1.1 billion  for research and innovation “The numbers look impressive, but the real question is: who benefits?” asks...

Discover how Botswana can build a future-proof economy for the next generation through diversification, innovation, and inclusive growth. Featuring expert insights and actionable strategies. Botswana at a Turning Point Botswana, once one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, is now grappling with slowing growth, rising inequality, and overdependence on diamonds. As the country faces a 3.1% economic contraction in 2024  1 , the question becomes urgent:  How can Botswana build a future-proof economy for the next generation? The Middle-Income Trap: A Warning Sign Botswana’s economic growth has slowed from over 7% annually in the early 2000s to just 3% in recent years  1 . The country appears to be caught in the  middle-income trap , where growth stagnates due to limited diversification and declining productivity. “Botswana’s economy has become less efficient over the past decade,” notes a recent World Bank report. “To escape the trap, the country needs sustained produc...

  Botswana, often lauded for its stable democracy and prudent fiscal management, faces a pressing question: Should the wealthy contribute more to bridge the widening income gap? With the top 1% earning over 20 times the average income, discussions around wealth redistribution have gained momentum. Mmegi Online +1 Africa Press Arabic +1 Understanding Botswana's Income Inequality Despite economic growth, income disparity remains a challenge. The richest 1% earn at least P142,601 monthly, while the average formal sector worker earns P6,014. This stark contrast raises concerns about equitable wealth distribution. Africa Press Arabic +1 Mmegi Online +1 Current Tax Structure: Is It Progressive Enough? Botswana's tax system features a maximum personal income tax rate of 25% for those earning above P13,000 monthly. Critics argue that this flat rate lacks progressivity, as it taxes high earners and middle-income individuals at the same rate. In contrast, countries like Sout...