Botswana’s greatest wealth is not limited to the diamonds found beneath its soil. Increasingly, the country is recognising that its most valuable resource is the knowledge, creativity, skills and potential of its young people. This message was emphasised by Minister of Higher Education Prince Maele during a coffee session celebrating young Batswana who are benefiting from a partnership between the Ministry of Higher Education and De Beers Group. The partnership is creating opportunities that extend beyond financial support by giving young people access to education, research, workplace experience and specialised technical training. As Botswana looks to strengthen its position in an increasingly competitive global economy, developing a skilled and innovative generation will remain central to the country’s long-term prosperity.
Speaking at the gathering, Minister Maele stressed that empowering young people is essential to Botswana’s future competitiveness, innovation and economic growth. He said the partnership between the government and De Beers is helping turn commitments into practical opportunities for young Batswana. These opportunities include scholarships, internships, research support and educator development, all of which can help students and young professionals gain the skills required to succeed in a changing economy. The initiative also gives beneficiaries exposure to industries and working environments that may not always be accessible through traditional classroom education. By connecting education with practical experience, the partnership is helping young people build stronger foundations for their careers and future contributions to Botswana.
Minister Maele captured the importance of this investment with the statement, “Today, our diamonds are our young minds.” The message highlights a broader shift in how Botswana can view its diamond wealth and the role it has played in the country’s development. While diamonds have contributed significantly to the national economy, a sustainable future requires Botswana to develop people who can create new businesses, conduct research, solve complex problems and lead key industries. Young Batswana have the potential to become scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, educators, researchers and business leaders who can contribute to economic diversification. Investing in their education and professional development therefore represents an investment in the country’s ability to compete and thrive in the future.
Research support is one of the important areas covered by the partnership, with opportunities being provided to students pursuing advanced qualifications. During the 2025/2026 academic year, research opportunities at the University of Botswana supported two PhD candidates and one Master’s student. The programme is expected to expand further, with three additional PhD candidates set to receive sponsorship at the Botswana International University of Science and Technology during the 2026/2027 academic year. Their research will be aligned with Botswana’s National Research Agenda, helping ensure that academic work contributes to national priorities and development needs. Supporting postgraduate research can also strengthen Botswana’s capacity to generate home-grown knowledge and develop solutions that respond directly to challenges facing the country.
Internships are another major component of the partnership because they help young people make the transition from education into employment. Seven interns participated in the programme in 2025, while eight are participating in 2026, including five students from technical and vocational education and training institutions. Some beneficiaries have also gained international exposure through placements in the United Kingdom and South Africa. These experiences can provide young people with insight into different professional environments, workplace standards and industry practices. International and local workplace exposure can also help participants build confidence, expand their professional networks and understand how the knowledge gained through education applies to real-world challenges.
Minister Maele described these opportunities as more than simple international exposure because they represent an investment in Botswana’s future technical, scientific and commercial leaders. For young people entering an increasingly demanding employment market, academic qualifications alone may not always provide the practical experience employers expect. Internships allow participants to apply their knowledge, develop professional habits and learn how to work as part of a team. Exposure to different markets can also help young Batswana understand international standards and identify opportunities that could benefit their own communities when they return home. The long-term value of these programmes therefore extends beyond individual beneficiaries because the skills they gain can eventually contribute to businesses, institutions and industries across Botswana.
The partnership is also strengthening technical education by investing in the people responsible for preparing students for the workplace. Twenty tertiary educators have received specialised training in rough and polished diamond skills through the De Beers Diamond Academy Educator Skills Development Programme. This type of training can help educators bring current industry knowledge into the classroom and provide students with a stronger understanding of technical processes. Developing educators also creates the potential for the benefits of the programme to reach many more students over time. When lecturers and trainers have access to relevant industry skills, they are better positioned to prepare graduates for employment and entrepreneurial opportunities within Botswana’s economy.
De Beers Senior Vice President People Partnering Thabile Moipolai commended the government and De Beers for transforming their Memorandum of Understanding into practical opportunities for young Batswana. She highlighted the importance of workplace exposure in helping young people connect academic knowledge with practical skills. This connection can help graduates understand workplace expectations while also giving them opportunities to develop confidence and professional discipline. Practical experience can be particularly valuable for young people who are entering the labour market for the first time and need evidence of their abilities. By creating pathways between education and employment, the partnership can help address some of the challenges young people face when moving from tertiary education into professional careers.
The focus on technical skills, research and workplace experience also supports Botswana’s wider need for economic diversification. A strong economy requires people who can contribute across multiple sectors, particularly in areas driven by science, technology, engineering, research and innovation. Young people with advanced skills can help businesses improve productivity, develop new products and services and identify new opportunities in local and international markets. Research institutions can also play a stronger role in addressing national challenges when they have the funding and talent needed to conduct meaningful work. Building these capabilities can help Botswana reduce its dependence on traditional sources of economic value while creating opportunities for a more knowledge-based economy.
The partnership between the Ministry of Higher Education and De Beers Group demonstrates how collaboration between government and the private sector can create meaningful opportunities for young people. Scholarships can help students continue their education, research funding can support new knowledge, internships can provide practical experience and educator development can strengthen the quality of technical training. Each element addresses a different stage of the development journey, from acquiring knowledge to applying skills in the workplace. Together, these interventions can create a stronger pipeline of skilled Batswana who are prepared to participate in the country’s future economy. The success of such initiatives will ultimately depend on maintaining access, ensuring that opportunities reach deserving young people and connecting training with Botswana’s evolving economic needs.
Botswana’s diamond legacy has played an important role in shaping the country, but its future wealth will depend increasingly on what its people can create with the opportunities available to them. The young beneficiaries of the Ministry of Higher Education and De Beers partnership represent the potential to transform education, technical expertise and research into lasting economic value. Their experiences show why investment in young people must remain a national priority rather than a short-term initiative. As more students gain access to scholarships, internships, research opportunities and specialised training, Botswana can build a generation equipped to compete in a complex global economy. The country’s greatest wealth may have been discovered beneath its soil, but its next chapter of growth could be driven by the brilliance, skills and ideas of its young people.
