Deadline: September 28, 2025
The Gaborone Bonnington North (GBN) Youthpreneur Challenge has been launched as a flagship programme designed to empower young entrepreneurs through training, mentorship, and access to funding.
The programme’s specific objectives are to build the capacity of at least thirty-five (35) young entrepreneurs through hands-on business training and mentorship per annum, provide funding to ten (10) for viable, innovative, and scalable youth-led businesses annually, promote economic participation and reduce unemployment among youth in the GBN constituency, and foster long-term job creation and local economic development.
The initiative is being jointly implemented by the Office of the Member of Parliament for Gaborone Bonnington North, Hon. Maipelo Mophuthing, and Market Players. It targets the high youth unemployment rate in Botswana by supporting entrepreneurship as a pathway to economic participation.
The GBN Youthpreneur Challenge runs for nine months, blending training, mentorship, and competitive pitching to help youth-led businesses grow sustainably. The programme begins with an open call for applications, after which thirty-five entrepreneurs from across the constituency will be selected to participate. From these, ten exceptional business ventures will receive seed funding following a panel evaluation during the final pitching event.
Eligibility criteria require applicants to be aged between 18 and 35 years, hold a valid Omang, and own or operate a small business within the GBN constituency. Candidates must demonstrate potential for growth or social impact, and be willing to fully participate in training, mentorship, and programme events.
The 2025 programme timeline begins with the application period from 26 August to 28 September 2025. Applications will be processed between 2 October and 10 October, followed by training, coaching, and mentorship sessions from 20 to 25 October. The pitch event is scheduled for 30 October 2025, while post-training support will run from 1 November 2025 to 30 April 2026.
Interested applicants may apply online or submit physical forms at the Gaborone North Parliamentary Office located at plot number 18515 Phase 2, Moselewapula Ward in Gaborone. The closing date is Sunday, 28 September 2025, at 23:59 hrs.
For more information, visit Market Players.
