Botswana Youth Urged to Turn Biodiversity into Green Business Opportunities

Botswana Youth Urged to Turn Biodiversity into Green Business Opportunities. Young entrepreneurs in Botswana have been encouraged to transform biodiversity resources into sustainable business ventures, following a powerful discussion at the Youth Side Event of the Africa Biodiversity Summit held under the theme “Youth and the Bioeconomy: From Ideas to Green Enterprises.”

The session, attended by Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs Hon. Lesego Chombo and Minister of Environment and Tourism Hon. Wynter Mmolotsi, explored how Africa’s biodiversity can fuel inclusive economic growth while empowering young innovators to build eco-friendly enterprises.

Hon. Chombo noted that many young Batswana, particularly women, are already making strides in biodiversity-based sectors—developing natural skincare products, exporting indigenous foods, and pioneering eco-tourism and recycling initiatives. She emphasized that youth entrepreneurship in this space represents more than income generation—it embodies cultural pride, environmental stewardship, and self-reliance.

She further reaffirmed the government’s commitment to youth empowerment through the revised Youth Development Fund, designed in partnership with UNICEF to improve access to financing, mentorship, and market opportunities for green and creative businesses.

Hon. Mmolotsi highlighted that Africa’s youth are central to shaping a sustainable future, with biodiversity representing the continent’s greatest advantage in the emerging green economy. He urged investors, policymakers, and development partners to collaborate in nurturing youth-led enterprises that protect nature while creating jobs and value within local communities.

The event concluded with an intergenerational networking session connecting young innovators, policymakers, and private-sector leaders to explore partnerships in eco-tourism, sustainable agriculture, and circular economy ventures.

For Botswana’s entrepreneurs, the message was clear: the path to a greener economy lies in combining innovation with the country’s rich biodiversity to create enterprises that are both profitable and planet-friendly.