02/11/2025
The recently presented National Development Plan 12 emphasises the urgent need to expand youth participation and socio-economic involvement in Botswana. Minister Lesego Chombo highlighted that young people must be actively engaged in meaningful development, skills growth, volunteering and community contribution.
The B2B Programme Schemeā¢ aligns directly with this national vision.
Botswana has thousands of capable graduates, hustlers, skilled informal workers, students, artisans, small entrepreneurs and unemployed young people who need practical ways to participate economically in real time not only when programmes become available.
B2B (Benefits to Benefits) is building a socio-economic system that connects people based on what they can offer and what they need. Through this matching system:
Youth with skills can be matched directly to individuals, households, organisations, churches or small businesses that need those services.
Those who need help can instantly find someone within their community who can provide that support.
Value is exchanged efficiently, fairly and with transparency.
This system supports the informal sector, community development, volunteering, practical skill building and self-sufficiency which directly strengthens national development outcomes outlined in NDP12.
B2B does not replace government structures.
It complements them by enabling active participation at ground-level, creating daily socio-economic interaction and opportunity where young people already live, gather and operate.
Botswana needs solutions that activate its youth not later, but now.
B2B is building one of those solutions.
To collaborate, partner or support this initiative as we approach MVP launch, please follow this page for official updates.
When presenting the National Development Plan 12 (NDP 12) to Parliament, Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs, Honourable Lesego Chombo, highlighted the governmentās commitment to youth empowerment and development. She emphasised that the government aims to create an inclusive environment where young people are active participants in socio-economic, cultural, and political life. As part of this strategy, the Ministry plans to expand youth volunteering opportunities to complement existing initiatives.
Despite the government already having programs such as structured internships, the Botswana National Service Programme, and Tirelo Sechaba civic service, Minister Chombo stressed the need for additional volunteering avenues. These initiatives are designed to provide young Batswana with practical experience, build skills, and foster a sense of civic responsibility while enhancing employability and engagement in community development.
Research shows that programs like internships and Tirelo Sechaba have had mixed responses. While many youth have benefited from gaining hands-on experience, some graduates have raised concerns about limited post-program support, inconsistent opportunities, and the perception of exploitation in certain placements. The Ministryās planned volunteering programs aim to address these gaps by offering structured, skill-focused experiences that reinforce learning and personal development.
These initiatives form part of a broader government strategy under NDP 12 to mainstream youth development across sectors. The goal is to provide young people with pathways to meaningful engagement, practical skills acquisition, and opportunities to contribute to national development. By combining structured programs and volunteering, the government seeks to strengthen youth capacity, boost employability, and promote active citizenship among Botswanaās younger population.
