First Capital Bank backs women-led growth through Women Evolve 2026 partnership
Kingsley Kuda | Monday May 18, 2026 11:18
The bank participated as the official financial partner for the annual Women Evolve event, a platform that brought together women entrepreneurs, professionals, business leaders and aspiring innovators under the theme “Women Evolve in Business and Leadership.”
The partnership underscored growing recognition within the financial sector of the critical role women continue to play in driving economic growth, household stability and business resilience across the country.
Speaking during the event, Chief Executive Officer of First Capital Bank Botswana, Lesego Osman, said the collaboration was aligned to the institution’s broader strategy of advancing inclusive economic participation and empowering women through access to meaningful financial solutions.
“Our partnership with Women Evolve is both purposeful and strategic. Women are critical stakeholders across the entire economic value chain, particularly as entrepreneurs and decision-makers driving household and business financial resilience,” Osman said.
He noted that the bank’s role goes beyond conventional lending, adding that the institution continues to focus on improving financial well-being through financial literacy, targeted support programmes and customised banking solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of women in business.
Osman further highlighted the importance of creating enabling environments where women entrepreneurs are able to access not only funding, but also mentorship opportunities, professional networks and knowledge-sharing platforms that can contribute towards sustainable business growth.
The Women Evolve initiative has increasingly positioned itself as a key platform for advancing conversations around women’s leadership, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment in Botswana. This year’s gathering attracted participants from different sectors, including finance, technology, retail, creative industries and professional services.
Through panel discussions, networking sessions and enterprise-focused engagements, the event sought to encourage collaboration and inspire women to take up leadership roles while scaling their businesses in an increasingly competitive economic environment.
Industry observers say partnerships between financial institutions and empowerment platforms such as Women Evolve are becoming increasingly important as women-owned businesses continue to face challenges related to access to capital, market opportunities and business development support.
By partnering with the initiative, First Capital Bank Botswana aims to bridge some of these gaps by improving access to financial tools and support structures that can help women-led enterprises achieve long-term sustainability.
The collaboration also reflects a broader shift within Botswana’s banking sector towards purpose-driven partnerships focused on entrepreneurship development and inclusive growth.
Women entrepreneurs remain a significant contributor to Botswana’s informal and formal economies, with many operating small and medium enterprises that provide employment opportunities and support local communities. Stakeholders have repeatedly called for stronger support systems to ensure women are able to participate meaningfully in national economic development.
As conversations around financial inclusion and women empowerment continue to gain momentum, the Women Evolve 2026 partnership is expected to further strengthen dialogue around the role of financial institutions in supporting emerging entrepreneurs and future women leaders.
For many participants, the event represented more than a networking opportunity, serving instead as a platform for inspiration, collaboration and practical engagement on issues affecting women in business and leadership.
With institutions such as First Capital Bank Botswana increasingly investing in women-focused initiatives, stakeholders believe Botswana could see stronger growth in women-led enterprises and broader participation of women in key economic sectors in the years ahead.