Business Ideas for Youth in Botswana

The growing youth population entering the labour market has led to increased rates of unemployment in Botswana. Despite government efforts to address the problem, Botswana still has a long way to go in providing enough employment opportunities for job seekers, especially the youth. With this situation in the country, the youth can turn to self-employment. There are many lucrative business ideas that they can turn into thriving businesses. This article will take you through some of the best business ideas for the youth in Botswana.

Tutoring

Tutoring is an excellent business idea for the youth in Botswana. If you are a graduate and are yet to secure formal employment, you can start offering after school classes to students in your local area. This can be a highly lucrative business since people are currently thirsting for knowledge. Additionally, parents are seeking extra tuition for their children with rising competition in schools and colleges. You can decide to charge per hour. It is best to tutor students in an area you are conversant with. Apart from academics, you can teach other skills such as dancing, sports, playing musical instruments, etc.

Freelancing

Freelancing is another great business idea for youth in Botswana as it does not require capital to start. If you have the necessary skills, a laptop/computer, and fast internet, you are good to go. The necessary freelancing skills include programming, graphic design, copywriting, video editing, website development, etc. The good news is that you don’t have to do all the work yourself. You can hire other freelancers to help you. Examples of freelance sites you can find work on are Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer, PeoplePerHour, Toptal, FlexJobs, Guru, Speedlancer, and many more.

Clothing and Accessory Business

The clothing and accessory business is booming the world over. The youth are at an advantage to make good profits since most of them know the fashion industry’s latest trends and styles. You will need capital to purchase the products to sell, pay for rental space and the necessary licenses. Alternatively, you can decide to start the business from home or set up an online store and use the money you would have paid for rental space to increase your stock.

Photography

Starting a photography business in Botswana can be your best shot, especially if you have the talent to take photographs. There are several ways you can make money with photography. With many websites and businesses looking for quality images, you can take photographs, upload them to stock photo websites such as AfricaStockPhoto, and earn when people download your images. Alternatively, you can do amazing photoshoots, print the images, and start selling them. You will need perfect photography skills, a good camera, and a passion for photography to succeed.

Homemade Food Business

If you have a passion for trying out different recipes, then this is the business for you. Food businesses will never run out of customers since food is a necessity and people must eat. However, with the growing competition, you will need to employ smart strategies to keep your customers coming back for more. This includes preparing different recipes and being keen to know what your customers like best, maintaining high hygiene standards, offering discounts once in a while, and having excellent customer service. You do not need large startup capital for this business. You can use equipment from your kitchen and even cook from your kitchen.

Babysitting Business

Although the babysitting business is not popular in Botswana like it is in Western countries, it is one of the best choices for Botswana youth. It does not require any capital to start. The only capital you might need is marketing capital. It is best to let people know about your services. In this case, you will need some little capital to print out pamphlets and brochures to distribute to potential customers. It is best to start offering these services to your neighbours because they know you. Nobody will want to leave their kids with a total stranger.

Laundry Business

The laundry business is currently gaining popularity in Botswana. The youth can use this to their advantage and start their businesses. Many people with busy schedules lack time to do their laundry. As such, you can start offering laundry services in your neighbourhood or any location with employed people. You can start this business with zero capital where you will be moving from house to house and use their soap, washing equipment such as basins, buckets, washing machines, etc. In this case, your customers will only pay for your labour. Alternatively, if you have enough capital, you can buy the equipment and rent out working space for your business.

Blogging

Blogging is a great business idea for youth in Botswana. You do not require a large startup capital to start this business as there are several free blogging options such as TypePad, Tumblr, Blogger, and WordPress. Additionally, you can start and run a blog from anywhere, provided you have a fast internet connection. If you want to start a successful blog, it is important to choose a niche. Sticking to a specific topic and keeping it interesting is crucial for success.

Salon and Barbershop Businesses

With the trending hairstyles and haircuts mostly known to the youth, starting a salon or a barbershop is an excellent business idea everywhere, including Botswana. If you are on a tight budget, you can offer services in people’s houses by going to them. This is possible if you spread the word about your services. Alternatively, if you have some capital, you can buy some equipment depending on the services you will be offering to your customers. It is best to keep track of the ever-changing haircut and hairstyle trends to remain on top of your competition.

Conclusion

With the scarcity of jobs in Botswana, it is high time that the youth start up and run their own businesses. You do not have to secure a white-collar job to be successful in life. However, you will need excellent managerial skills, patience, and the will to get up and move forward after every failed attempt. The moment you understand that slow but steady growth is all your business requires, you will enjoy the flexibility of self-employment.