Youth SMMEs turn budget conversation into business opportunity

Laone Choeunyane | Wednesday March 11, 2026 10:28

Hosted by Mmegi in partnership with First National Bank Botswana (FNBB), the session brought together economists from the bank and a specially selected group of young entrepreneurs representing sectors such as agriculture, creatives, fashion, education, ICT, and finance.

The engagement created space for youth-led SMMEs to move beyond headline reactions to the budget and interrogate what the policy direction means for real business opportunities on the ground.

Opening the session, Mmegi Managing Director Titus Mbuya highlighted the importance of youth participation in national economic discussions.

“Young entrepreneurs bring something that every economy needs: fresh thinking and a courage to try new things,” he said.

Mbuya reaffirmed Mmegi’s commitment to facilitating informed national dialogue and encouraged the young business leaders to engage in the discussion with sharp questions and solution-driven thinking.

“At Mmegi, our mission has always been to facilitate informed public conversation on issues that matter to the country,” he added.

Economists from FNBB provided insights into key signals within the budget, highlighting areas where youth-led SMMEs could position themselves to benefit from government priorities around economic diversification and innovation.

The discussion also revealed a strong sense of responsibility amongst the entrepreneurs present, with several committing to mentor emerging business owners, share skills, and advocate for policies that support sustainable enterprise growth.

The session underscored a growing reality: Botswana’s youth are not simply observing economic policy; they are actively looking for ways to turn it into business.