Africa’s Youngest Minister, Lesego Chombo, Makes Stirring Call for Youth-Led Development at ECOSOC Youth Forum 2025

 At just 26, Honourable Lesego Chombo, Botswana’s Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs, stood before a global audience at the ECOSOC Youth Forum 2025, not just as a representative of her country, but as a powerful symbol of Africa’s growing youth leadership. Her address offered a candid, hopeful, and deeply grounded reflection on what it means to be young, African, and at the forefront of sustainable development.

“I remain that testament that we’re headed in the right direction as Africa,” Chombo told delegates, emphasizing that her appointment was not a token gesture, but evidence of the continent’s shifting approach to youth inclusion. The Forum, held under the theme “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind,” provided a crucial platform for young leaders like Chombo to voice their vision.

Youth as Development Catalysts

Chombo spotlighted Botswana’s youth as “an asset to advancing what is already happening on the continent,” lauding the innovation of young social entrepreneurs using technology to solve pressing issues. One standout initiative she mentioned was Drones for Africa, a Botswana-based project leveraging drone technology to assist traditional farmers. These drones monitor crop health and boost food production—directly contributing to food security goals aligned with SDG 2: Zero Hunger and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

This intersection of technology and agriculture is just one example of what Chombo described as “a beautiful way of actively contributing” to national development.

Digital Inclusion as a National Priority

In a nod to Botswana’s digital transformation, the minister detailed the SmartBots initiative, an ambitious government-led project ensuring internet connectivity across the country. With over 1.6 million users— an impressive figure for a nation of 2.3 million— the program has seen internet penetration surge from 42% in 2019 to 77% in 2024, thanks to the government making WiFi available in public spaces and schools.

“We appreciate the power a young person with a phone, a young person with a laptop, and a young person with connectivity has,” Chombo said. The government’s Village Connectivity Program and the distribution of laptops to secondary school students underpin Botswana’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and empowering youth, particularly in rural areas.

Education that Works for the Future

While Botswana offers free education, Chombo emphasized that it’s not merely about access, but relevance. “We are not only working towards providing free education but also education that is aligned with our labour and market needs,” she said. This strategy is aimed at reducing unemployment and underemployment, especially in marginalized regions—an approach that directly advances SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 8.

One key focus area is STEM education, a field where the Ministry is pushing for stronger gender inclusivity. “We are undergoing a gender mainstreaming strategy to ensure that young women are also actively included in STEM education and job opportunities,” Chombo announced, reinforcing Botswana’s commitment to SDG 5: Gender Equality.

The Double-Edged Sword of Technology

Yet, with the gains of digital advancement come real concerns. Chombo was candid about the risks associated with increased digital access, particularly for youth. She praised the work of the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA), which has rolled out a Cyber Awareness Rotor campaign to protect young people from online threats.

This dual focus—expanding access while safeguarding youth—is reflective of Botswana’s pragmatic and youth-centered approach to governance and development.

Africa’s Moment, Led by Its Youth

Chombo’s speech resonated deeply within the context of the regional breakout sessions focused on Latin America and Africa. These sessions aimed to elevate regional priorities, integrating them into global SDG strategies. As one of the youngest ministers on the continent, Chombo’s leadership exemplifies the kind of bold, informed, and locally-rooted leadership needed to drive the 2030 Agenda forward.

Her presence at the forum served as a reminder that the future of development is not only about policies but about people—particularly the young, who are already shaping the world they want to inherit.

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