Latest news with #DumaBoko
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Repositioning an african child from labour to leadership in global energy, banking & investment markets
Introduction: A New Season for Africa Africa stands at the threshold of a defining era. Our continent, blessed with abundant natural resources and a youthful population, has long contributed to global markets. Yet, too often, the African child has been prepared for labour, not leadership. The time has come to shift this paradigm — not through blame or confrontation, but through deliberate repositioning, innovation, and unity. This is an invitation to policymakers, business leaders, youth, and change-makers: let's shape a new Africa together. Energy, Investment & Banking: Africa's Power Levers These three sectors are not just pillars of modern economies — they are global power levers. Control these, and you control economies. Influence these, and you influence policy. Lead these, and you lead nations. Energy is the fuel of every industrial and digital revolution. Investment is the language of power and future-proofing. Banking is the bloodstream of economic systems. Together, they determine who sits at global tables and who waits in corridors for crumbs. We are no longer preparing our youth merely to take jobs. We must equip them to structure deals, advise governments, innovate fintech solutions, and develop transformative energy policies. An Example of Regional Leadership: Namibia & Botswana's Oil Refinery Vision Recently, President Duma Boko of Botswana visited Namibia, marking a milestone in regional cooperation. The two nations discussed the possibility of jointly developing an oil refinery — a strategy that could pioneer sustainable value-chain investment within Southern Africa. This initiative signals more than economic opportunity; it represents the region's first steps toward creating capacity for leadership, technical expertise, and long-term collaboration. But for it to truly succeed, youth must be deliberately included at every level — from conceptualisation to execution. I challenge both the Namibian and Botswana governments to prioritise youth engagement within such strategic projects. The leaders of today must ensure that succession is planned through mentorship, skills transfer, and shared leadership. Building a Future-Ready African Workforce For too long, Africa's youth have been positioned to inherit industries without the skills, networks, or platforms to lead them. If Africa is to compete in tomorrow's global energy, finance, and investment markets, we must: Establish sector-specific mentorship and leadership pipelines. Incorporate youth advisory councils within national and regional projects. Create Pan-African investment clubs for young professionals. Invest in financial, energy, and fintech education aligned with future markets. Promote African languages, cultures, and regional unity alongside global competitiveness. As Dr. Sam Nujoma once said, 'A united people, fighting for a common goal, will always emerge victorious.' Our common goal must be economic sovereignty, shared leadership, and collective prosperity. A New Tone for African Thought Leadership Let my articles and work be known not for fighting nations, but for liberating minds, changing the tone, and inspiring honest conversations. Let them call upon African leaders to mentor the next generation, to share wealth with wisdom and peace, and to shape economies that reflect our unity, resilience, and aspirations. This is about repositioning the African child — not by removing others, but by claiming our rightful space at global tables. It's about signalling what Africa has been missing and what we could achieve together. Conclusion: It Starts With Us Africa's greatest untapped asset is not its minerals, oil, or land — it's its young people. We are capable of becoming Africa's deal originators, investment strategists, energy policymakers, and fintech pioneers. But this requires bold leadership, deliberate mentorship, and youth-centred succession planning. Our leaders must make it part of their agenda to see it through. And we, the youth, will hold them accountable with wisdom, respect, and unity. Copyright © 2022 - All materials can be used freely, indicating the origin Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
The Star
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Global venture partners joins forces with Botswana to drive economic growth and media expansion
Staff Reporter | Published 3 hours ago Global Venture Partners (GVP) is excited to announce a landmark strategic partnership with the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) that will deliver substantial media value, estimated at about $13 million, to enhance Botswana's global profile. This collaboration will help drive Botswana's economic diversification and elevate the country's standing within the media, tourism, luxury, and sustainability sectors. Through this strategic partnership, GVP intends to establish its African headquarters in Botswana, leveraging its prestigious media brands, Billboard Africa, Rolling Stone MENA, and Robb Report Africa. This partnership is made possible through GVP's collaboration with Penske Media Corporation, ensuring the expansion of Botswana's visibility on a global scale. GVP is based in Dubai, which serves as the hub for global operations. This partnership with Botswana is part of a broader global movement by GVP, with a specific focus on Botswana as a key gateway to Africa. Botswana represents a stable, forward-looking environment that aligns with GVP's vision for long-term, sustainable growth across the continent. Joshua Wilson, Managing Director of GVP, stated, 'GVP is focused on investing across the African continent, with a mass expansion agenda in mind. We are investing in key sectors such as financial services and infrastructure in Rwanda and Ghana, while focusing on expanding the creative sector in South Africa. Our strategy also includes pursuing strategic investments in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania, and other key jurisdictions to drive growth and innovation across Africa.' Under the leadership of President Advocate Duma Boko, Botswana continues to drive a vision for diversification that positions the country as a model of stability, sustainability, and ethical governance. With its commitment to responsible mineral sourcing, conservation, and prudent economic management, Botswana stands as a beacon of opportunity and growth in Africa, yet it remains underappreciated for its extraordinary accomplishments. Through this collaboration with BITC, GVP is poised to provide tangible value in the following areas: Media Expansion: A substantial media value infusion, using GVP's renowned media brands to promote Botswana as a leading global investment and tourism destination. Infrastructure Development: Supporting Botswana's diversification efforts with key projects in residential and commercial infrastructure, energy, and large-scale arena developments. Banking & Finance: Driving financial innovation and cross-border trade with GVP's banking operations, further enhancing Botswana's financial landscape. Research & Analytics: Expanding research initiatives that will provide actionable insights for investment and development opportunities across Botswana and Africa. As Botswana continues its forward-thinking approach to economic growth and diversification, GVP's African headquarters will serve as the foundation for expanding its brands and commercial operations across the continent. Further quotes from the Government of Botswana and other key stakeholders will follow, underscoring the significance of this transformative strategic partnership. 'We appreciate GVP for recognising the value of locating the headquarters of their African operations in Botswana. ''For Botswana, this partnership holds great significance; it is a first that Botswana will be present in key global media spaces. ''This will amplify our visibility and positioning on the global stage, and we will now have the opportunity to share Botswana's profound story of growth and opportunity, resulting in a significant positive impact on our investment promotion efforts, tourism awareness, and the growth of the creative sector. ''I'm confident that BITC, through the Brand Botswana initiative, will bring together stakeholders to partner and ensure a collective implementation of this partnership for Botswana to derive maximum benefit', Hon Tiroyaone Ntsima, Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship.
Business Insider
19-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Southern Africa expecting new refinery as Namibia, Botswana deepen energy cooperation
Southern Africa is expecting a new refinery as a result of a joint collaboration between the governments of Namibia and Botswana, as they move to deepen cooperation in the energy sector with the construction of a new refinery. Southern Africa is planning a joint oil refinery project initiated by Namibia and Botswana. The collaboration aims to improve energy security and reduce import dependence. The region's shift toward oil exploration reflects attempts to tap unutilized hydrocarbon reserves. Botswana and Namibia are taking concrete steps toward greater regional energy integration, with discussions underway to establish a jointly-owned oil refinery. The Namibian reports that this initiative, aimed at boosting energy security and reducing reliance on imports, was a key agenda item during Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's recent working visit to Gaborone, where she met with her Botswana counterpart, President Duma Boko. If realized, the project could mark a significant shift in Southern Africa's energy landscape, signaling a move toward collaborative infrastructure development and economic self-reliance. According to a statement issued by the office of the Namibian president, ' The two leaders agreed that bridging the gap between the 'haves and the have-nots' and the fight against poverty through job creation required urgent and concrete programmes and projects to be implemented by both countries. ' Namibia, Botswana to reduce dependence on diamonds Botswana and Namibia are key diamond producers in Africa and are actively pursuing strategies to reduce their economic dependence on diamonds, a sector that has historically underpinned their national revenues. This shift is driven by declining global demand for natural diamonds, the rise of lab-grown alternatives, and the inherent risks of relying heavily on a single commodity. ' As diamond-producing countries, Nandi-Ndaitwah and Boko directed that sector officials in both countries needed to work together to maximise revenue and value from diamonds in both countries, ' the statement says. Botswana and Namibia, long reliant on diamond exports, are facing mounting pressure to diversify as global demand declines. In 2024, Botswana's Debswana cut production by 6 million carats, ending the year at 17.9 million, while Namibia's Debmarine plans a 5% reduction in 2025 after a 13% cut the year before. With their economies exposed to market volatility, both nations are now prioritizing diversification and regional collaboration to ensure long-term stability. Oil refining - Next revenue source The joint collaboration between Botswana and Namibia to develop an oil refinery and possibly coordinate oil production efforts could significantly improve the region's energy landscape in several ways. In 2023, Namibia imported $1.52 billion worth of refined petroleum, making it the country's top import and placing Namibia 92nd among global importers. Key suppliers included India ($395M), the UAE ($284M), Saudi Arabia ($206M), Oman ($163M), and Malaysia ($108M), underscoring Namibia's reliance on foreign energy, particularly from Asia and the Middle East. In 2023, Botswana imported $1.08 billion worth of refined petroleum, making it the country's top import and ranking it 105th globally among 226 importers. The majority of these imports came from South Africa ($773M), followed by Namibia ($242M), Mozambique ($59.4M), the UAE ($1.98M), and India ($1.96M), highlighting Botswana's regional reliance on neighboring energy suppliers. Oil drilling in Southern Africa is gradually gaining momentum as several countries in the region seek to tap into untapped hydrocarbon reserves to boost energy security and economic growth. Nations like Namibia, Mozambique, and South Africa have shown increasing interest in exploring and developing oil and gas fields offshore and onshore.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Proud to be young' - Beauty queen, lawyer and Botswana's youngest cabinet minister
Lesego Chombo's enthusiasm for life is as infectious as her achievements are impressive: she has won the Miss Botswana 2022 and Miss World Africa 2024 crowns, is a working lawyer, has set up her own charitable foundation - and made history in November, becoming Botswana's youngest cabinet minister. She was just 26 years old at the time - and had clearly impressed Botswana's incoming President Duma Boko, whose Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) had just won a landslide, ousting the party that had governed for 58 years. It was a seismic shift in the politics of the diamond-rich southern African nation - and Boko, a 55-year-old Harvard-trained lawyer, hit the ground running. His main focus, he said, was fixing an economy too reliant on diamonds, telling the BBC ahead of his inauguration that he wanted young people to be the solution - "to become entrepreneurs, employ themselves and employ others". Key to this was finding a suitable ambassador - and Chombo was clearly it: a young woman already committed to various causes. He made her minister of youth and gender. "I've never been more proud to be young," she told the BBC at the ministry's headquarters in the capital, Gaborone. "I'm a young person living in Botswana, passionate about youth development, gender equality, but also so passionate about the development of children." The beauty queen did not campaign to be an MP - she is what is called a specially elected member of parliament - and is now one of just six female MPs in the 69-member National Assembly. Chombo said becoming an MP and then minister came as a complete surprise to her. "I got appointed by a president who had never met me," she said. "Miss World and the journey that I thought I was supposed to pursue as my final destination was only the platform through which I would be seen for this very role." It was her crowning as Miss Botswana in 2022 that raised her profile and enabled her to campaign for social change, while trying to inspire other young women. It also gave her the opportunity to set up the Lesego Chombo Foundation, which focuses on supporting disadvantaged youngsters and their parents in rural areas – and which she is still involved with, its projects funded by corporate companies and others. "We strive to have a world where we feel seen and heard and represented. I'm very thrilled that I happen to be the very essence of that representation," she said. As she prepared for last year's Miss World pageant, she said: "I really put myself in the zone of service. I really channelled it for this big crown." Now in political office, she is aware of the expectations placed on her in a country where approximately 60% of the population is below 35 years. It also has a high level of unemployment - 28%, which is even higher for young people and women who have limited economic opportunities and battle systemic corruption. Chombo said this was something she was determined to change: "Currently in Botswana, the rates of unemployment are so high. "But it's not just the rate of unemployment, it's also just the sphere of youth development. "It's lacking, and so my desire is to create an ecosystem, an environment, a society, an economy in which youth can thrive." Chombo said her plan was to develop a comprehensive system that nurtured youth-led initiatives, strengthened entrepreneurship and ensured young people had a seat at the table when decisions were being made. With Botswana's anti-corruption policy undergoing a rigorous review, she said this would ensure that quotas for young entrepreneurs - when state departments and agencies put out tenders for goods and services - were actually reached. The government has begun a 10-month forensic audit of government spending that will include 30 state-owned enterprises. Indeed President Boko is intent on cracking down on corruption, seeing this as a way to bolter investor confidence and diversify the economy - something his deputy has been seeking to do on recent trips to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Switzerland. And a key deal has now been secured with UAE-based CCI Global, a provider of business process outsourcing, to open a hub in Botswana. While youth development is a central pillar of her work, gender equity also remains close to her heart. Her short time in office has coincided with a growing outcry over gender-based violence. According to a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report, over 67% of women in Botswana have experienced abuse, more than double the global average. "It hurts to know that it could be me next," she admitted. A month into her appointment, she was criticised for voting against an opposition motion in parliament to create "peace desks" at police stations and magistrate courts to quickly deal with victims. At the time she said such provisions already existed within the law and what was needed was more public awareness. This was followed in January by a police report noting that at least 100 women had been raped and another 10 murdered during the festive season - this caused public outrage with many lashing out at her on social media over the issue. The minister reiterated - on several occasions, including before parliament in March - that Botswana had many laws and strategies in place and what was important was to ensure these they were actually applied. But she told the BBC the government would be pushing for the implementation of a Gender-Based Violence Act, aimed at closing legal loopholes that have long hindered justice for survivors. She said she was also advocating a more holistic approach, involving the ministries of health, education and local government. "We want curriculums that promote gender equity from a young age," Chombo said. "We want to teach children what gender-based violence is and how to prevent it. "It will boil down to inclusion of teaching gender equity at home, how parents behave around their children, how they model good behaviour." She has also been vocal about the need to address issues affecting men, particularly around mental health and positive masculinity, encouraging chiefs "to ensure that our patriarchal culture is not actively perpetuating gender violence". "I hear a lot of people say: 'Why do you speak of women more than men?' "It's because as it stands in society, women are mostly prejudiced [against]. "But when we speak of gender equality, we're saying that it should be applied equally for everyone. But what we strive for is gender equity." Chombo, who studied law at the University of Botswana, said she was thankful to her mother and other strong women for inspiring her - saying that women had to work "10 times harder" to succeed. "[My mother] has managed to create an environment for me to thrive. And growing up, I got to realise that it's not an easy thing. "As women, we face so many pressures: 'A woman cannot do this. A woman can't do that. A woman can't be young and in leadership.' I'm currently facing that." She also credited Julia Morley, the CEO of Miss World, for helping her: "She has managed to create a legacy of what we call beauty with a purpose for so many young girls across the world. "She has just inspired us so deeply to take up social responsibility." Chombo is serious about this. The beauty queen-cum-lawyer-cum-minister knows she has made history - but is also aware that her real work has only just begun. "Impact. Tangible impact. That's what success would look like to me," she said. "I want to look back and see that it is there and it is sustainable. That when I leave, someone else is able to carry it through." Additional reporting from Innocent Selatlhwa in Gaborone 'Without sport I'd probably be a criminal' - Olympic champion Tebogo Botswana's politician who did the unthinkable Why voters fall out of love with liberation movements Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Proud to be young' - Beauty queen, lawyer and Botswana's youngest cabinet minister
Lesego Chombo's enthusiasm for life is as infectious as her achievements are impressive: she has won the Miss Botswana 2022 and Miss World Africa 2024 crowns, is a working lawyer, has set up her own charitable foundation - and made history in November, becoming Botswana's youngest cabinet minister. She was just 26 years old at the time - and had clearly impressed Botswana's incoming President Duma Boko, whose Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) had just won a landslide, ousting the party that had governed for 58 years. It was a seismic shift in the politics of the diamond-rich southern African nation - and Boko, a 55-year-old Harvard-trained lawyer, hit the ground running. His main focus, he said, was fixing an economy too reliant on diamonds, telling the BBC ahead of his inauguration that he wanted young people to be the solution - "to become entrepreneurs, employ themselves and employ others". Key to this was finding a suitable ambassador - and Chombo was clearly it: a young woman already committed to various causes. He made her minister of youth and gender. "I've never been more proud to be young," she told the BBC at the ministry's headquarters in the capital, Gaborone. "I'm a young person living in Botswana, passionate about youth development, gender equality, but also so passionate about the development of children." The beauty queen did not campaign to be an MP - she is what is called a specially elected member of parliament - and is now one of just six female MPs in the 69-member National Assembly. Chombo said becoming an MP and then minister came as a complete surprise to her. "I got appointed by a president who had never met me," she said. "Miss World and the journey that I thought I was supposed to pursue as my final destination was only the platform through which I would be seen for this very role." It was her crowning as Miss Botswana in 2022 that raised her profile and enabled her to campaign for social change, while trying to inspire other young women. It also gave her the opportunity to set up the Lesego Chombo Foundation, which focuses on supporting disadvantaged youngsters and their parents in rural areas – and which she is still involved with, its projects funded by corporate companies and others. "We strive to have a world where we feel seen and heard and represented. I'm very thrilled that I happen to be the very essence of that representation," she said. As she prepared for last year's Miss World pageant, she said: "I really put myself in the zone of service. I really channelled it for this big crown." Now in political office, she is aware of the expectations placed on her in a country where approximately 60% of the population is below 35 years. It also has a high level of unemployment - 28%, which is even higher for young people and women who have limited economic opportunities and battle systemic corruption. Chombo said this was something she was determined to change: "Currently in Botswana, the rates of unemployment are so high. "But it's not just the rate of unemployment, it's also just the sphere of youth development. "It's lacking, and so my desire is to create an ecosystem, an environment, a society, an economy in which youth can thrive." Chombo said her plan was to develop a comprehensive system that nurtured youth-led initiatives, strengthened entrepreneurship and ensured young people had a seat at the table when decisions were being made. With Botswana's anti-corruption policy undergoing a rigorous review, she said this would ensure that quotas for young entrepreneurs - when state departments and agencies put out tenders for goods and services - were actually reached. The government has begun a 10-month forensic audit of government spending that will include 30 state-owned enterprises. Indeed President Boko is intent on cracking down on corruption, seeing this as a way to bolter investor confidence and diversify the economy - something his deputy has been seeking to do on recent trips to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Switzerland. And a key deal has now been secured with UAE-based CCI Global, a provider of business process outsourcing, to open a hub in Botswana. While youth development is a central pillar of her work, gender equity also remains close to her heart. Her short time in office has coincided with a growing outcry over gender-based violence. According to a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report, over 67% of women in Botswana have experienced abuse, more than double the global average. "It hurts to know that it could be me next," she admitted. A month into her appointment, she was criticised for voting against an opposition motion in parliament to create "peace desks" at police stations and magistrate courts to quickly deal with victims. At the time she said such provisions already existed within the law and what was needed was more public awareness. This was followed in January by a police report noting that at least 100 women had been raped and another 10 murdered during the festive season - this caused public outrage with many lashing out at her on social media over the issue. The minister reiterated - on several occasions, including before parliament in March - that Botswana had many laws and strategies in place and what was important was to ensure these they were actually applied. But she told the BBC the government would be pushing for the implementation of a Gender-Based Violence Act, aimed at closing legal loopholes that have long hindered justice for survivors. She said she was also advocating a more holistic approach, involving the ministries of health, education and local government. "We want curriculums that promote gender equity from a young age," Chombo said. "We want to teach children what gender-based violence is and how to prevent it. "It will boil down to inclusion of teaching gender equity at home, how parents behave around their children, how they model good behaviour." She has also been vocal about the need to address issues affecting men, particularly around mental health and positive masculinity, encouraging chiefs "to ensure that our patriarchal culture is not actively perpetuating gender violence". "I hear a lot of people say: 'Why do you speak of women more than men?' "It's because as it stands in society, women are mostly prejudiced [against]. "But when we speak of gender equality, we're saying that it should be applied equally for everyone. But what we strive for is gender equity." Chombo, who studied law at the University of Botswana, said she was thankful to her mother and other strong women for inspiring her - saying that women had to work "10 times harder" to succeed. "[My mother] has managed to create an environment for me to thrive. And growing up, I got to realise that it's not an easy thing. "As women, we face so many pressures: 'A woman cannot do this. A woman can't do that. A woman can't be young and in leadership.' I'm currently facing that." She also credited Julia Morley, the CEO of Miss World, for helping her: "She has managed to create a legacy of what we call beauty with a purpose for so many young girls across the world. "She has just inspired us so deeply to take up social responsibility." Chombo is serious about this. The beauty queen-cum-lawyer-cum-minister knows she has made history - but is also aware that her real work has only just begun. "Impact. Tangible impact. That's what success would look like to me," she said. "I want to look back and see that it is there and it is sustainable. That when I leave, someone else is able to carry it through." Additional reporting from Innocent Selatlhwa in Gaborone 'Without sport I'd probably be a criminal' - Olympic champion Tebogo Botswana's politician who did the unthinkable Why voters fall out of love with liberation movements Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
