A cursory discussion of policy alternatives for addressing youth unemployment in Botswana

Abstract

There has been growing levels of graduate unemployment in Botswana in the recent past. This is notwithstanding the relatively good performance of the economy. Tertiary institutions are churning out graduates with no corresponding jobs to absorb them. The government has introduced various short-term programmes which the graduates are encourage to take to pass time in. This paper examines the various programmes and policy responses to unemployment in Botswana and gives a broad overview of possible policy alternatives for consideration and adoption by the government of Botswana to help provide more and better-quality jobs for the youth. The paper argues that the rising unemployment is a ticking bomb with the possibility to hampering the peace and stability that the country is reputable of. It further argues that Botswana as a developing state has an obligation to create employment for its citizenry. It is recommended that Botswana should formulate coordinated youth employment strategies according to its comparative advantage over other economies with larger populations. This article concludes that the country should take deliberate steps to address the issue of employability and skills gap that is said to be the main problem amongst youth graduates.