Africa-Press – Botswana. The Hon. Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs, Lesego Chombo, joined the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Wynter Mmolotsi, for a youth-led session at the ongoing Africa Biodiversity Summit. The discussion, themed “Youth and the Bioeconomy: From Ideas to Green Enterprises,” highlighted how young people can drive sustainable growth through innovation rooted in biodiversity.
In her address, Minister Chombo stressed the need to balance traditional biodiversity practices with modern approaches. She explained that indigenous knowledge systems play a vital role in environmental stewardship and cultural preservation. When young Africans integrate traditional wisdom with new technologies, they build resilient, sustainable communities that honor their heritage while embracing progress.
Minister Chombo outlined her Ministry’s initiatives to promote youth participation through intergenerational engagement and regional collaboration. She said the goal is to connect traditional practices with modern biodiversity models. Across Africa, young entrepreneurs are already creating sustainable businesses using indigenous plants for cosmetics and food, developing eco-tourism ventures tied to cultural heritage, and applying digital tools to improve livelihoods.
She praised their innovation and urged them to “continue to dream with deep-rooted audacity.” Her message underscored that youth-led enterprises are vital for unlocking green jobs and ensuring Africa’s biodiversity becomes a cornerstone of its economic future.
Minister Mmolotsi reinforced this message, stating that the continent’s prosperity depends on empowering youth to lead biodiversity protection and green enterprise development. He described biodiversity as an economic driver rather than an environmental cost. “Safeguarding biodiversity is not a cost. It is an investment in economic stability, dignity, and shared wealth,” he said.
The session allowed young leaders to share solutions and engage directly with policymakers. It also created a platform for sustained collaboration beyond the Summit, ensuring that youth voices shape future biodiversity strategies across Africa.
In his closing remarks, Minister Mmolotsi urged the youth to take ownership of Africa’s sustainable development. “Young people, your passion is powerful, your leadership is essential to Africa’s prosperity,” he said. “If we fail to invest in this generation, we handicap our potential to leverage biodiversity for prosperity for all.”
The youth-led engagement demonstrated a clear message: Africa’s path to green growth and environmental resilience lies in empowering its young people to lead with creativity, knowledge, and purpose.
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