SADC Event Calls on Botswana Entrepreneurs to Invest in Women and Youth for Agricultural Growth

SADC Event Calls on Botswana Entrepreneurs to Invest in Women and Youth for Agricultural Growth. Botswana entrepreneurs and agribusiness leaders are being urged to rethink their approach to agriculture by placing women and youth at the centre of innovation, enterprise, and trade. This call to action emerged from a high-level session co-hosted by the Graça Machel Trust during the 8th SADC Industrialisation Week held on 30 July 2025 in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

The event, backed by the German Government through the CESARE Programme, focused on transforming agriculture from subsistence to sustainable enterprise — with women and youth as the main drivers of change. Mmantlha Sankoloba of the Botswana Exporters and Manufacturers Association emphasised, “Women and youth are not just beneficiaries, they are central to agricultural transformation.”

The session featured insights from leading regional initiatives like the Women Creating Wealth programme, which equips female entrepreneurs with business skills and market access; the CESARE Programme, which enhances value chain inclusion; and Fihariana, a Malagasy project supporting youth-led agri-enterprises.

Representatives from AFG Bank and UNDP also highlighted the importance of inclusive finance, enabling policy environments, and gender-responsive strategies to unlock untapped potential in the sector.

Real-life success stories demonstrated what’s possible when women and youth receive the right tools and support. From poultry farming in South Africa to organic trade in Lesotho and processing enterprises in Malawi, the impact was tangible.

For Botswana’s business community, this presents a clear opportunity: invest in inclusive agricultural value chains, create platforms for youth innovation, and scale local businesses through regional trade. As the region aligns under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Botswana’s entrepreneurs have much to gain by leading with inclusion.