Abstract:
The global market is rapidly recognizing the importance of entrepreneurship and self employment, especially in growing the economy, creating jobs and reducing poverty.
This paper employs the logit regression model to investigate the determinants of self employment in Botswana, using the 2009/2010 Botswana Core Welfare Indicator
Survey (BCWIS) data. The results reveal that individuals who are male, citizens,
educated and living in cities are less likely to be self-employed than their counterparts.
On the other hand, the age of the entrepreneur positively influences the likelihood of
self-employment, as well as being a widow. Public policy needs to empower females and
rural dwellers in terms of skills and entrepreneurship training in order to enhance their
success in their self-employment activities. In addition, government should continue
with its efforts of providing assistance to the youth for entrepreneurial development in
order to reduce unemployment.
