Botswana Ranks 45th in Commonwealth Youth AI Readiness Index

A recent study by the Ayre Think Tank has ranked Botswana 45th out of 56 Commonwealth nations in youth artificial intelligence readiness. The country scored 38.9 out of 100, falling short of the readiness benchmark of 53. Despite having a respectable 7.2 out of 10 for meaningful access to technology, Botswana scored a mere 2.9 for decent work, enterprise, and transitions. This paradox highlights the country's struggle to convert its digital infrastructure into tangible economic opportunities.

The study, launched at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, reveals that Botswana's youth face significant challenges in the job market. With a youth unemployment rate of 39.6%, many young people are searching for work for over a year. The prevalence of informal and temporary employment further exacerbates the insecurity, denying young people the stability they need. The report emphasizes the need for stronger technical education, deeper digital-skills training, and clearer pathways from the classroom into employment and entrepreneurship.

The Ayre Index also exposes a shallowness in practical digital competence among Botswana's youth. Only 19.4% of young respondents reported having installed software, while a mere 3.8% said they had written a computer program. These statistics point to a lack of instruction in digital skills, which is a concern for policymakers. Calvin Ayre, the Antiguan-Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist behind the research, stressed that the moment is one of choice rather than fate, and that giving young people the skills and chance to get ahead is crucial.

The study projects that artificial intelligence could enlarge Botswana's GDP by $289 million after ten years under a moderate scenario, rising to $438 million if the nation moves with conviction. However, this potential prize comes with a warning: the country must invest in its young people's digital skills to reap the benefits. The report identifies five priorities for nations seeking to convert AI from a distant promise into a lived reality: affordable access to technology, education that develops practical skills, stronger routes from training into employment, AI tools suited to local languages and needs, and safeguards that allow young people to question automated decisions.

The research also highlights a significant data gap, with usable figures for only 63 of the 102 indicators that feed into the Index. Botswana scores 53.8 out of 100 on the Data Gap Index, indicating substantial missing evidence. This lack of knowledge makes it challenging for governments, educators, and development partners to invest wisely in AI initiatives. The study's authors argue that closing this information chasm is a precondition for progress, as a country cannot target its resources effectively without understanding where the barriers truly lie.

The Ayre Think Tank's White Paper emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the next generation can do more than just consume AI products made elsewhere. Access to AI must come with agency and an equitable stake in how these systems are governed. Young people need to be equipped to question these new tools, improve them, and build alternatives suited to their own needs. Professor C. Justin Robinson, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of the University of the West Indies, stressed that this index gives a clearer view of where choices are most urgent.

The Commonwealth snapshot reveals a mixed picture, with Singapore, Malta, and Australia leading the rankings. Botswana's regional peers also offer a varied picture, with South Africa ranking 13th, Namibia 36th, Zambia 20th, and Mozambique 44th. The benchmark of 53 was set after assessing the conditions affecting approximately 732 million young people across all 56 Commonwealth countries. The rankings are based on eight pillars, 39 sub-pillars, and 111 indicators, drawing on 1,128 research sources.

Key points

• Botswana's youth face significant challenges in the job market, with a high unemployment rate and low digital skills.
• The country must invest in its young people's digital skills to reap the benefits of artificial intelligence.
• Closing the data gap is essential for progress, as a country cannot target its resources effectively without understanding where the barriers truly lie.