“We need to build it. We need to retrain and revitalise the government civil service. We’ve never experienced the type of unemployment levels we have now, particularly among young people and educated young people. The education system has been purely geared to creating social sciences graduates. The unemployed are highly educated. This means we have a real opportunity to upskill rapidly to AI, tech, and indeed there are steps we’re taking and partnerships we’re putting in place.”

Motswana economist and politician

Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe is a Motswana economist and politician. Since 7 November 2024, he has served as Vice-President of Botswana and Minister of Finance under President Duma Boko. He is the leader of the Alliance for Progressives and an elected member of Botswana’s National Assembly. He represents Gaborone Bonnington South, returning to the seat after previously holding it from 2014 to 2019. Within the ruling coalition, the Umbrella for Democratic Change, he is a central figure in the Alliance for Progressives, combining economic work with active political leadership.