Botswana is facing a deepening economic and social crisis marked by high youth unemployment, declining diamond revenues and weak policy responses from government, the manual workers union has warned.
In a new report titled A Clarion Crying Voice: UDC Government Failures, the National Amalgamated Local, Central Government and Parastatal Manual Workers’ Union accuses the government led by President Duma Boko of failing to respond decisively to worsening economic conditions.
The union says the administration of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) inherited a difficult economy but has not shown the level of leadership needed to stabilise the country.
According to the report, the economy has contracted in recent quarters due to falling global demand for natural diamonds, Botswana’s main source of revenue.
The union cites statistics showing youth unemployment reached about 43.86 percent in 2024. The report says such figures should have triggered urgent national consultations involving government, business, labour and civil society.
The publication also highlights rising unemployment, particularly among young people, as one of the most urgent challenges facing the country.
The union cites statistics showing youth unemployment reached about 43.86 percent in 2024. The report says such figures should have triggered urgent national consultations involving government, business, labour and civil society. “All the above national pains could have warranted a progressive president to have called a democracy stakeholder meeting for idea mining and sharing,” the report states.
Instead, the union claims, the government has handled the crisis without sufficient consultation. “We remain shocked that under such catastrophic situations, the president remains a leader without other leaders,” the document says.
The report argues that the failure to involve multiple stakeholders has weakened policy responses and contributed to public frustration. It also links economic hardship to growing social problems, including crime, gender-based violence and declining public confidence in institutions.
The union says the situation is made worse by what it describes as a lack of coherent economic strategy. According to the report, the government came into power promising progressive governance and intellectual leadership but has yet to demonstrate clear policy direction.
“It should be noted that the UDC government entered governance decreeing moral superiority, progressive governance, intellectual rigour, inclusivity, participatory democracy and consultative governance,” the report states.
The union says those promises raised expectations among voters, particularly young people who hoped for jobs and economic opportunities. Instead, the report argues, unemployment remains high and economic growth uncertain.
“With the continuing decline in people’s trust in public authorities… the fight to restore confidence in governance has never been so important,” the report says.
The document warns that failure to address the crisis could have long-term consequences for the country’s stability. The union proposes the establishment of a presidential think tank made up of independent experts to guide economic and social policy.
“This entails the creation of a laboratory of ideas to foster thought leadership,” the report states.
It also calls for stronger cooperation between government, trade unions and the private sector to develop job-creation strategies. The union says restoring public trust will require leadership that is transparent, consultative and willing to listen to criticism.
“With the continuing decline in people’s trust in public authorities… the fight to restore confidence in governance has never been so important,” the report says.
The organisation says Botswana still has the institutional strength to overcome its current challenges, but only if leaders adopt a more inclusive and accountable approach.
“This clarion call therefore endeavors to amplify and operationalize critical postures of policy intents which can transform Botswana,” the report states.
