JICA’s NDB visit highlights importance of partnerships
Staff Writer | Wednesday February 11, 2026 11:19
JICA, which promotes Japanese support for development and economic stability of developing regions, recently had its representatives visit the state-owned bank’s operations as part of ongoing engagements that explore Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) financing. During the engagements, the delegation held discussions with NDB management and undertook visits to selected NDB supported projects in the Central District, gaining practical insight into how development finance is supporting business expansion, value addition, and economic resilience.
These engagements also provided an opportunity for information sharing and reflect the Bank’s deliberate approach of aligning international development partnerships with on the ground perspectives and national development priorities. Head of Treasury and Capital Management at NDB, Neo Kootsholetse, highlighted that the visit reflected the importance of transparent and structured dialogue between development finance institutions and international partners. Furthermore, the Bank was able to demonstrate its commitment to mobilising strategic capital partnerships that strengthen SME financing. “As a development finance institution, NDB values and is intentional about building partnerships that go beyond funding to support productivity, sustainability, and long term growth,” she said.
“Such interactions are important in ensuring a shared understanding of how different approaches can enable us to align capital, technical expertise, and innovative financing structures in a way that delivers measurable economic impact.” The continued engagements are consistent with NDB’s ongoing efforts to collaborate constructively with development partners and be a leading catalyst in contributing to the strengthening of sustainable financing frameworks that support inclusive economic growth.