Category: Sunday Standard

The debate on Batswana’s lips over whether President Duma Boko is taking Botswana in the right direction or the wrong one will, for the first time, be grounded in hard evidence when the Mo ibrahim Foundation releases the 2026 Inbrahim Index of African Governance.

On social media, homes and social gatherings across the country, opinions are shaped by perceptions, political loyalty and lived experience. The upcoming 2026 Ibrahim Index is expected to cut through the noise, offering a data driven assessment of Botswana is performing under President Boko’s leadership.

The Ibrahim Index measures governance broadly. Its methodology covers political participation, rights, rule of law, security, public administration, economic opportunity, human development and other dimensions of state performance.

The 2026 edition will draw on hundreds of variables from dozens of international data sources. Crucially, the index will be released on October 31st, the second anniversary of Boko’s presidency, giving it added political and symbolic weight as a mid-term benchmark of his administration’s early performance.

The forthcoming index should not be treated as a verdict on Boko’s presidency. Its data will only cove through the end of 2025, meaning that that the index captures only the early part of the Unvrella For Democratic Change (UDC) administration. It will take several more editions befoe a clear trend under Boko can be established. But the 2026 index will nevertheless be significant. It will provide the first independent, continent-wide statistical benchmark against which the new government’s governance record can be measured.

Anti-corruption performance wil be particularly important. The Mo Ibrahim Foundation’s preliminary findings for the forthcoming index show that corruption remains one of the continent’s major governance challenges, with African countries divided between those improving and those experiencing deterioration.

Although Botswana remains ranked sixth in Africa with an Anti-Corruption score of 57.8, the index classifies the country among only six African nations experiencing ‘Increasing Deterioration’-a category reserved for countries whose anti-corruption performance has not only declined but where the pace of decline has accelerated since 2021.

The report shows Botswana’s score has fallen by 8.6 points over the past decade, causing the country to drop three places in continental rankings.

Botswana is listed among the five countries recording the worst anti-corruption deterioration since 2016, alongside Comoros, Liberia, South Africa and Niger.

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation’s preliminary 2026 Anti-corruption assessment provides a decade-long measure of Botswana’s anti-corruption trajectory through 2025, including the first year of the Boko administration. The report is expected to reveal details on whether the the country’s anti-corruption deterioration continues under Boko’s presidency or is being reversed.

Another crucial measure will be whether President Boko’s recent sweeping changes in the leadership in Botswana’s civil service has made the state better or worse off.

Botswana’s public administration has traditionally been regarded as one of the country’s institutional strengths. The Ibrahim Index preliminary report has recorded a decline in the effectiveness of the state. The preliminary index however captured a decade-long trend and does not have specific findings for the period under the UDC government. Those figures are expected in the detailed final report.

The economic test will also be increasingly important because the new government has inherited a much less comfortable fiscal environment than previous administrations enjoyed. The global diamond market has experienced a prolonged downturn and for Boko, fiscal discipline could be a governance issue as much as an economic one.

Botswana’s blood transfusion services are facing significant operational and structural challenges that require urgent reforms. This is according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Botswana Country Office Biennial Report 2024-2025.

The report highlights weaknesses ranging from fragmented coordination and outdated equipment to shortages of essential supplies, limited data systems and gaps in quality assurance – issues that could affect the country’s ability to provide safe and timely blood products to patients.

The WHO assessment found that Botswana’s National Blood Policy, introduced in 2018, remains in draft form and lacks a supporting strategic implementation plan.

It also noted the absence of a national advisory body responsible for providing oversight and guiding the development of the blood transfusion system.

‘Blood transfusion services coordination remains fragmented,’ the report states. It warns that many blood centres operate with ageing equipment, inadequate cold-chain systems and manual processes for preparing blood components.

The WHO said procurement challenges have contributed to periodic shortages of reagents and other essential consumables needed for blood processing and testing.

‘Critical shortages exist across donor recruitment, laboratory operations, quality management and data systems,’ the report said.

The global health agency warned that staff capacity also requires strengthening, with healthcare workers needing additional training in quality assurance, automation, regulatory compliance and international standards.

The report further raised concerns about Botswana’s blood information management systems noting that although the Integrated Patient Management System (IPMS) is expanding, the country still lacks a unified national blood information system.

According to WHO, inconsistent transmission of hospital data to the National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS) limits real-time monitoring and weakens evidence-based decision-making.

The organisation also highlighted weaknesses in clinical transfusion practices, saying existing guidelines require updating to align with modern Patient Blood Management (PBM) principles.

‘Haemovigilance systems are weak, and most hospitals do not have functioning transfusion committees,’ the report stated, warning that this contributes to under-reporting of transfusion reactions and gaps in quality oversight.

To address the challenges, WHO has recommended a comprehensive reform programme covering governance, regulation, infrastructure, human resources and information systems.

The organisation called on Botswana to finalise and implement its revised National Blood Policy, establish a National Blood Advisory Group and strengthen the organisational structure of the NBTS.

It also recommended accelerating the enactment of the Medicines and Related Substances Bill and supporting accreditation of blood establishments through recognised bodies such as the Africa Society for Blood Transfusion (AfSBT).

On infrastructure, WHO called for investment in automated blood component production technologies, modern cold-chain systems and improved procurement mechanisms to prevent stockouts.

The report also recommends developing a national plasma strategy and recruiting specialised personnel to strengthen technical and managerial capacity.

WHO noted that despite significant government investment in health, the country continues to face financing inefficiencies, with 80-90 percent of the health budget allocated towards curative services, leaving prevention and health promotion underfunded.

‘Primary healthcare remains underfunded, despite being essential for achieving universal health coverage,’ the report noted.

The organisation also highlighted medicine shortages, supply chain weaknesses and disruptions affecting HIV/AIDS services following reductions in external funding.

Botswana’s maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health programmes also face persistent challenges, including shortages of health workers, vaccine stockouts, limited outreach services and gaps in reporting systems.

WHO further warned that Botswana’s ability to respond to public health emergencies remains constrained by regulatory and operational gaps.

The report noted that several emergency preparedness plans and standard operating procedures remain in draft form awaiting approval, while the absence of a fully operational Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) weakens coordination during outbreaks.

WHO said stronger multisectoral coordination, improved logistics systems and increased surge capacity in laboratories and healthcare staffing are needed to strengthen national emergency response.

Lucara Diamond has recovered a 1,305.4-carat diamond from its Karowe Mine, reinforcing Botswana’s reputation as home to some of the world’s largest gem-quality stones at a time when the global diamond industry continues to battle weak demand and price pressure.

The latest discovery is the tenth diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats recovered from Karowe since production began in 2012, a record that further distinguishes the mine from other diamond operations worldwide. The white, unbroken stone was recovered using the mine’s X-ray Transmission (XRT) technology, which is designed to detect and preserve large diamonds that might otherwise be damaged during processing.

Lucara said it could not determine whether the stone came from current open-pit mining or from previously mined ore held in stockpiles because both materials were being processed simultaneously.

The discovery adds to Karowe’s list of headline-making recoveries, including the 2,488-carat Motswedi, the largest diamond unearthed in more than a century, as well as the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona, the 1,094-carat Seriti and the 1,080-carat Eva Star.

For Botswana, the latest find comes as the diamond sector works through one of its most challenging periods in years, with subdued consumer demand and growing competition from laboratory-grown diamonds weighing on revenues across the industry.

Lucara President and Chief Executive Officer William Lamb said the recovery highlights the unique nature of the Karowe orebody and strengthens confidence in the mine’s long-term value as the company advances its underground expansion project. The underground mine is expected to replace stockpile processing from 2027, with full-scale production targeted for the first half of 2028.

Botswana Football Association (BFA) concluded its FIFA Forward Workshop last week. The workshop brought together a FIFA delegation, BFA National Executive Committee members, Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) representatives, as well as the BFA Secretariat and key football stakeholders.

It focused on strengthening the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of FIFA Forward projects while reinforcing the principles of good governance, transparency and accountability.

Officially opening the workshop, BFA and COSAFA President, Mr. Oabile Tariq Babitseng, said strengthening football administration was essential to the long-term growth of the game in Botswana.

He said football development was not only about what happens on the pitch but also about building strong institutions capable of managing resources responsibly and delivering meaningful programmes.

‘This workshop was an important opportunity for us to strengthen the way we manage football development in Botswana. FIFA Forward is more than a funding programme. It is a partnership that helps member associations build strong institutions and create opportunities for players, coaches, referees and administrators.’

‘Our responsibility is to ensure that every project is properly planned, implemented and monitored so that it delivers lasting benefits to the football community. Good governance, accountability and transparency must remain at the centre of everything we do,’ said Babitseng.

The FIFA Forward Programme is one of FIFA’s flagship football development initiatives, providing financial support to member associations to improve infrastructure, strengthen administration, expand technical programmes and grow football at all levels.

During the workshop, participants took part in sessions covering project planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and financial accountability. The programme also created an opportunity for delegates to exchange experiences, discuss challenges and learn practical approaches to improving project delivery.

FIFA experts guided participants through international best practices, helping local football administrators better understand the standards required when implementing FIFA-funded projects. The sessions also highlighted the importance of effective planning and regular monitoring to ensure projects are completed on time and within approved guidelines.

For the BFA, the workshop formed part of its wider efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and improve governance across the organisation. The association believes strong administration is essential for sustainable football development and for ensuring that investments benefit the entire football community.

The workshop comes at a time when football development continues to receive increased attention in Botswana. Projects involving infrastructure development, youth football, women’s football, coaching education and referee development all depend on effective planning, sound financial management and proper oversight.

By investing in the capacity of football administrators, the BFA aims to improve the delivery of development programmes while ensuring that FIFA Forward funding continues to achieve its intended objectives.

Participants left the workshop with a better understanding of FIFA Forward requirements and the responsibilities involved in managing development projects. They also gained practical knowledge on governance, accountability and reporting that will support future football initiatives across the country.

The successful conclusion of the workshop reflects the shared commitment of FIFA, COSAFA and the Botswana Football Association to building stronger football institutions and creating a sustainable foundation for the continued growth of the game in Botswana.

President Duma Boko has blamed the ongoing outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) for continued payment delays at the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC), saying the disease has disrupted government’s pledge to pay cattle farmers within seven days of delivering livestock.

The commitment was introduced as part of reforms to restore confidence in the financially troubled state-owned abattoir. However, many farmers have continued waiting weeks, and in some cases months, for payment, placing pressure on cash flow and farm operations.

Addressing the issue, Boko acknowledged farmers’ frustrations but said the FMD outbreak in southern Botswana had significantly affected BMC’s operations. ‘We committed ourselves to ensuring that farmers are paid within seven days after selling their cattle to BMC. Unfortunately, the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease in the southern part of the country has frustrated those efforts,’ he said.

Despite the setbacks, Boko insisted the commission had made progress over the past year by removing longstanding operational bottlenecks that had delayed payments.

‘Even though there are challenges, BMC is on the right track,’ he said, adding that government remained committed to restoring the seven-day payment turnaround once the disease was brought under control.

The FMD outbreak has also disrupted BMC’s processing operations. In May, the commission’s Lobatse abattoir was closed following an outbreak in Zone 11, with authorities indicating the shutdown could last between three and six months, affecting processing capacity and economic activity in the town.

The latest explanation follows renewed complaints from Ngamiland, where farmers recently reported waiting up to two months for payment despite reforms that included the seven-day settlement target and a live-weight procurement model.

The Ngamiland Joint Farmers Association has threatened to petition government, warning that delayed payments are making it difficult for farmers to service loans, cover operating costs and reinvest in production, raising fresh questions about BMC’s operational efficiency.

The Botswana government is preparing a multi-million pula investment to revive the country’s ostrich industry as it seeks to tap growing global demand for ostrich products and reduce the economy’s dependence on diamonds.

Minister of Lands and Agriculture Dr Edwin Dikoloti said government had identified promising export opportunities but would first focus on rebuilding domestic production to ensure Botswana could supply overseas markets consistently.

‘There is growing demand for ostrich meat and products in the international market,’ Dikoloti said. ‘Once we are satisfied that local production can meet the required volumes, we will intensify discussions with these potential markets.’

The renewed focus comes as Botswana accelerates efforts to diversify exports following a prolonged downturn in the diamond industry, which has weighed heavily on economic growth and government revenues.

Although Botswana has an estimated 60,000 wild ostriches, its commercial farming industry has virtually collapsed. The number of farmed birds has fallen to fewer than 400 after ostrich ranches and processing facilities closed, leaving many farmers burdened with debt.

Dikoloti said government was reviving the long-defunct Dibete ostrich multiplication ranch as part of efforts to rebuild breeding stock. Last year the facility hatched 269 chicks, which were distributed to 29 farmers. The Ostrich Association is now targeting 6,000 hatchlings before year-end.

Government is also encouraging local production of feed ingredients such as sunflower to reduce reliance on costly imports and lower production costs. In addition, the Department of Wildlife is assisting with the capture of ostriches from game reserves to strengthen breeding programmes.

A new agricultural financing strategy is also being developed to improve access to capital for small and medium-scale farmers as government seeks to restore investor confidence and position Botswana to benefit from expanding international demand for ostrich meat, leather and other high-value products.

1. The Botswana Defence Force has noted with grave concern misleading report published by Sunday Standard/The Telegraph under the headline ‘Gift or Golden Handcuffs’, and subsequently reproduced on various online platforms, including Dikgang Newspaper. These reports attempt to portray the recent donation of a C- 130 Hercules aircraft by the Government of the United States of America as a financial burden disguised as assistance.

2. The BDF categorically rejects these assertions as misleading, speculative and devoid of factual foundation. The reports present conjecture as fact while failing to provide balanced reporting or seek clarification from the institutions directly involved. Such reporting has the potential to misinform members of the public, undermine confidence in national institutions and distort Botswana’s longstanding bilateral relations with its strategic international partners.

3. The donation of the C-130H aircraft forms part of the United States Government’s Excess Defence Articles (EDA) Programme, an established foreign security cooperation initiative administered by the United States Government. The programme enables partner nations to receive surplus but serviceable military equipment to strengthen their legitimate defence and humanitarian capabilities. Equipment transferred under the EDA programme is intended to enhance recipient countries’ operational capacity and regional security cooperation. The programme has benefited numerous partner nations across Africa and the world and is neither unique to Botswana nor unprecedented.

4. It is therefore misleading to portray Botswana’s participation in this programme as an extraordinary arrangement with hidden obligations. The EDA programme is a transparent, internationally recognised security cooperation mechanism founded on mutual interests, shared security objectives and established bilateral agreements.

5. The BDF further wishes to clarify that the acquisition of military capabilities is never undertaken in isolation from considerations of lifecycle support, sustainment, maintenance planning and operational requirements. Like every modern defence force, the BDF conducts technical, operational and financial assessments prior to acceptance of any military equipment. Any future maintenance, infrastructure improvement, personnel training or sustainment requirements associated with military capability development are part of normal defence planning and should not be misconstrued as hidden liabilities arising from the donation itself.

6. Indeed, the United States Government has consistently demonstrated its commitment to ensuring the sustainability of Botswana’s airlift capability. In January 2026, the United States donated nearly P13 million worth of brand-new C-130 maintenance parts, complementing the aircraft previously transferred and reaffirming a partnership spanning more than three decades. Additionally, Botswana has been approved to receive two further C-130H aircraft under the same programme, reflecting continued confidence in the BDF as a responsible security partner.

7. The defence relationship between Botswana and the United States is not recent. It spans decades and has consistently advanced Botswana’s national interests through defence cooperation, professional military education, disaster response support, humanitarian assistance, aviation training, logistics cooperation and peace support capability development.

8. The BDF therefore finds it unfortunate that a partnership built over several decades of mutual trust, transparency and shared commitment to regional peace and stability is now being misrepresented through speculative reporting unsupported by verified facts.

9. The Botswana Defence Force remains deeply concerned by the growing tendency to publish allegations concerning national security matters without affording affected institutions the right to reply, to provide clarification. Responsible journalism demands accuracy, fairness, verification and balance. These principles are especially critical when reporting on matters involving national defence and international security cooperation.

10. The publication and subsequent amplification of unverified information have the potential to:

a. mislead the public and create unnecessary anxiety;

b. undermine public confidence in national institutions;

c. damage the credibility and reputation of the Botswana Defence Force;

d. strain strategic partnerships that Botswana has carefully nurtured over the years;

e. erode public trust in professional journalism.

11. The BDF therefore urges media practitioners to exercise the highest standards of professionalism by verifying information with relevant authorities before publication. Matters concerning defence cooperation often involve technical, operational and diplomatic considerations that require informed and balanced reporting.

12. The Botswana Defence Force remains committed to transparency within the bounds of national security and will continue to provide factual information to the public through appropriate official channels.

13. The BDF equally reaffirms its enduring commitment to safeguarding Botswana’s sovereignty, supporting regional peace and security, and maintaining productive partnerships with friendly nations whose cooperation contributes to the Defence Force’s operational readiness and capability development.

14. The BDF can assure the nation that it has thoroughly inspected the aircraft, confirming it is fully operational and mechanically sound, which is consistent with previous donations. There are no underlying or undisclosed conditions. These donations are intended solely to expand operational reach and enhance the BDF’s air capabilities. We acknowledge that any newly acquired platform will inevitably incur maintenance and operational costs. It is also worth noting that maintenance of this aircraft is not necessarily linked to the donor.

15. Lastly, the BDF is grateful for such contributions from its partner forces and will always welcome similar offers, as these arrangements not only enhance the BDF’s operational capability, but also save the country a significant amount of money. This is fully consistent with one of the Commander’s strategic priorities of Control Escalating Operating Costs, which focuses on comprehensive cost-saving and efficiency measures on force-wide cost-saving initiatives, including bargain procurement and or acquisition.

Botswana is preparing to host an official FIBA 3×3 Nations League- Africa South Conference in Gaborone, an event Botswana Basketball Association (BBA) is hailing as a milestone for the sport in the country.

BBA Public Relations Officer (PRO) Abaleng Lesego says the event is way more than just a week of competition. ‘Hosting an official FIBA 3×3 Nations League in Botswana is a monumental milestone. The tournament signals the country’s ambition to climb from its current ranking of 15th in Africa into the continent’s top 10.’

The competition also feeds directly into a bigger goal by keeping Botswana on the pathway toward LA 2028 Olympic qualification. Hosting on home soil means the country’s Under 23 national team will get the chance to test itself against African rivals without leaving Gaborone.

Players on elite scholarships abroad, including those based in Australia will return to represent Botswana at the tournament. Among the countries they will face are established 5-on-5 heavyweights Algeria, Angola, and Egypt.

These countries are expected to help gauge how the countries’ best youngsters, who will be underdogs at most, fare against the best in the continent. ‘We respect the pedigree of basketball giants like Egypt, Algeria, and Angola in 5-on-5 basketball, however, our expectation is to compete fiercely, protect our home court, and show no fear especially in 3×3, where we feel we are one of the best in Africa.’

Lesego says Team Botswana wants to push for podium finishes and demonstrate that it is closing the gap with the continent’s powerhouses. The local team’s preparations began in April. In the past two weeks, the team brought in international experts Richard Billiant from France and Angelo Tsagarakis from Greece to work with the team.

Getting ready for 3×3 basketball has meant a deliberate shift away from traditional 5-on-5 thinking. The technical staff has prioritized conditioning and fast transition play to cope with the format’s relentless pace.

The team has also sharpened its defensive versatility and outside shooting. This area carries an extra weight in 3×3 since shots from distance are worth two points and can shift a game’s momentum instantly. High intensity training camps have been used to prepare players to hold their tactical discipline, even when fatigue sets in.

According to the BBA PRO, these will be high stakes games. The top teams will earn automatic qualification to the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup later this year, and every match result will affect Botswana’s standing in the FIBA 3×3 Federation Rankings. These are the points that shape the country’s eligibility and seeding for future World Cups, Continental Cups, and its broader path toward Olympic qualification.

‘Staging an international tournament of this scale comes with significant financial and logistical demands, covering FIBA compliance fees, court installation, team accommodation, and medical protocols. Final operational costs are still being audited, but the spending as an investment in the long-term development of basketball in Botswana,’ Lesego said.

She acknowledged the backing of the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture (MYSC) and the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC), alongside global FIBA stakeholders. Local corporate sponsors are expected to be unveiled soon, and the Royal Aria Convention Centre has partnered as the tournament’s venue. The tournament will take place from 20-25 July,2026.

Like mythological phoenixes, Botswana women tennis is rising from the ashes. This was all out there for everyone to see at the just ended Billie Jean King Cup (BJKC) Group III Africa tournament.

Playing in front of an expectant home crowd at the National Tennis Centre here in Gaborone, the local girls went toe to toe with the best in the continent. Not only that. They gave their opponents more than just a good run for their points.

Yesterday (Saturday 18th June 2026), the local girls faced Nigeria in their ultimate match at the tournament. A win here would mean they have gone through the tournament undefeated. It also meant automatic promotion back to the BJKC Euro/Africa Group II after a 23-year absence.

Most importantly, their showing in the just ended tournament showed the team’s continued upward trajectory in the BJKC. Even before playing their ultimate match against Nigeria, the local girls had gone one step further than what they did at the same tournament in Namibia last year.

Back then, in what was regarded as their best outing since returning to BJKC in 2022, Botswana went through the group stages unbeaten enroute to the playoffs. They however failed to win any of their playoff games, ultimately settling for 3rd position behind Morocco and Kenya.

This time around, the local girls had already won their first play-off match prior to the match against Nigeria. That win came on Thursday when they beat one of the tournament favourites Tunisia 2 – 1 in what was a closely fought contest.

At the heart of this meteoric rise is the unearthing of a glut of talented young women. Led by the versatile duo of Ekua Youri and Chelsea Chakanyuka, this fearless group of young women is seeking to write their names in the history of Botswana tennis.

Youri and Chakanyuka were at the heart of everything good about Botswana at the just ended tournament. Aside from the doubles match in Botswana’s first match of the tournament, they had played all the singles and doubles matches leading to the ultimate game against Nigeria.

They are however not the only talent at the disposal of team Botswana. Also, in camp for this tournament along with them are Leungo Monnayoo, Kelebogile Monnayoo, Rethabile Lesire Moshaoa and Angel Chakanyuka.

The latter, Moshaoa and Angel, aged 17-years and 13-years old respectively, were called into camp as part of a long-term player development initiative. Aside from those in camp, there are also the likes of Naledi Raguin, as well as upcoming talents like Malak Macheng, just to mention but a few.

Interestingly, save for Kelebogile Monnayoo, who is 27-years-old this year, the rest are 21-years and under. This bodes well for the country’s promotion, now and in the future, as well as maintaining statuses in upper groups once promoted.

An upbeat women senior national team coach Kagiso Kelebeile says the future is bright for the team. He believes the country has a team that can excel now and also has a good pool of upcoming talent to close the gap when the current players are not available in future.

‘During the national team training camp, we did not only focus on the ones that are going to be playing. We invited a lot more other players to benefit from the training to also get them ready for other competitions that they are going to play in.’

While the team is making strides, a lot still needs to be done. Resources are still needed to find more talent while more is needed to keep the current talent competitive.

But be as it may, there is no doubt. Botswana women tennis is back on its perch among the best in the continent!

Botswana’s diamond wealth transformed the country into an upper-middle-income economy, but the benefits have not been widely shared, with poverty, inequality and unemployment remaining stubbornly high, the World Bank says.

In its first Botswana Economic Update, the lender said about 21.4 percent of the population lives below the international poverty line of US$3 a day, while 63.2 percent survive on less than US$8.30 a day, the benchmark for upper-middle-income countries.

Botswana made rapid progress in reducing poverty during the 2000s, with the national poverty rate falling from 30.6 percent in 2003 to 19.3 percent in 2009. Progress has since slowed, reaching 16.1 percent in 2016. Rural poverty remains significantly higher at 26.8 percent, compared with 10 percent in urban areas.

The World Bank also highlighted Botswana’s persistent inequality. With a Gini coefficient of 53.3, the country ranks among the world’s most unequal, behind only South Africa and Namibia among comparable economies.

Despite spending an average 8.1 percent of GDP on education between 2018 and 2023 more than double the average for upper-middle-income countries learning outcomes remain weak. A child expected to complete 8.4 years of schooling receives learning equivalent to just 5.3 years after adjusting for education quality.

Employment outcomes are equally concerning. Only 17 percent of graduates from technical and vocational institutions had secured jobs in the latest tracer study, while graduate unemployment stood at 18.5 percent in 2022.

Preliminary survey data places overall unemployment at 21 percent, with more than 40 percent of people aged 15 to 35 outside employment, education or training.

The World Bank warned that even with economic growth projected at 3.2 percent this year, about 513,000 people are expected to remain below the US$3-a-day poverty line, underscoring the need for more inclusive growth.