About

In a world brimming with potential, youth unemployment remains one of our most critical and persistent challenges. It is not merely an economic statistic; it is a narrative of untapped talent, deferred dreams, and a future waiting to be claimed. Botswana, with its dynamic youth demographic and forward-looking vision, stands at a pivotal crossroads. The time for isolated efforts is over. The time for a collective, continent-leading revolution is here.

Welcome to the inaugural International Youth Empowerment and Employment Summit (YES) 2026, hosted in the vibrant heart of Gaborone. This is not a conventional conference. It is a three-day “laboratory of solutions”, a strategic convening designed to ignite actionable change. We are bringing the global frontier of thought on employment, entrepreneurship, and economic policy to Botswana’s doorstep, creating a powerful nexus where Batswana youth connect directly with world-class experts, investors, and innovators.