Why steady, asset-backed businesses matter in uncertain times
COMFORT RANKGOMO | Monday March 30, 2026 14:14
History suggests that the businesses which endure are rarely those that promise the most. Rather, they are those anchored in tangible economic activity and supported by disciplined strategy. As the Setswana saying reminds us, go bona ke go dumela — seeing builds conviction. In investment terms, this speaks to the enduring appeal of assets whose value is rooted in real demand and observable performance.
For Turnstar Holdings, this philosophy is reflected in a disciplined focus on dominant retail and mixed-use assets in key urban locations across its markets. The Group emphasises sustainable occupancy, prudent balance-sheet management and proactive asset management to enhance tenant appeal and long-term asset relevance. Through regional diversification and targeted capital investment, Turnstar aims to deliver stable income streams while positioning its portfolio for structural urban growth
Globally, the investment landscape is entering a phase defined by recalibration. According to the International Monetary Fund, global growth is projected to remain modest at around 3.3% in 2026, following approximately 3.2% in 2025, reflecting persistent financial tightening, geopolitical fragmentation and uneven recovery dynamics (IMF World Economic Outlook, 2025). In such environments, investors tend to reassess exposure to sectors that offer visibility of income, resilience of assets and durability of returns.
Property investment has long been regarded as one such sector. Unlike many financial instruments, property is grounded in physical infrastructure and shaped by structural drivers such as demographic change, urbanisation and long-term economic development. It generates contractual income streams while offering the potential for capital appreciation over time. While not immune to cyclical pressures, asset-backed investments often benefit from intrinsic links to real economic demand.
This reality is particularly relevant in emerging markets. The African Development Bank estimates that Africa’s urban population will double by 2050, creating sustained demand for commercial, retail and residential infrastructure (AfDB Urban Development Outlook, 2023). These structural dynamics underscore the importance of well-positioned property portfolios that can adapt to evolving urban needs while maintaining income stability.
Against this backdrop, steady performance becomes more meaningful than short-term acceleration. Long-term investment success is frequently built on consistency rather than rapid expansion, and on disciplined capital allocation rather than opportunistic growth. Asset-backed businesses that prioritise diversification, prudent leverage and operational efficiency are often better placed to navigate periods of economic uncertainty. Regional diversification has also become an important stabilising factor for property investors across the continent. Exposure to multiple growth markets can enhance portfolio resilience while positioning investors to benefit from demographic expansion and evolving consumption patterns. As African economies continue to urbanise and integrate regionally, property investment is likely to remain closely linked to broader development trajectories.
At the same time, the sector itself is undergoing transformation. Retail environments are evolving toward experiential formats, office markets are adapting to hybrid work models, and residential demand is increasingly shaped by affordability considerations and integrated urban planning. These shifts require investors to adopt an active approach to asset management, balancing stability with strategic repositioning.
In Botswana, policy signals around infrastructure development, land reform and private sector participation continue to influence the investment landscape. Investors who align their strategies with national development priorities can play a catalytic role in enabling economic growth while delivering sustainable returns. The intersection between public policy and private capital will remain a defining feature of the country’s economic evolution.
Ultimately, steady, asset-backed businesses matter because they anchor confidence across market cycles. They provide continuity when sentiment fluctuates and deliver tangible outcomes in environments defined by uncertainty. In such contexts, endurance is not merely an advantage — it is the foundation upon which sustainable value is built.
Steady, asset-backed businesses provide confidence when market conditions are uncertain. For Turnstar Holdings, this means remaining anchored in real economic activity through a resilient and diversified property portfolio that supports long-term urban development. By balancing stability with strategic adaptability, the Group seeks to deliver sustainable value to stakeholders while contributing to the growth of the communities it serves.
*Rankgomo is the Managing Director of Turnstar Holdings