New ABONIC head prioritises citizen-owned businesses
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Monday June 22, 2026 06:00
Outlining his roadmap following his election, Seagile stated that his vision is focused on building a strong, united, compliant and economically impactful nightclub and bar sector that contributes meaningfully to Botswana’s development agenda.
At the heart of his plan is the promotion of citizen participation and ownership in the industry, while also advocating for transparency and compliance with business operations. He said ABONIC will actively discourage fronting arrangements but support measures that safeguard opportunities for Batswana entrepreneurs in line with national laws and policies.
“The industry must remain a vehicle for citizen economic empowerment while also creating sustainable opportunities for local businesses and workers,” Seagile said.
He further identified employee welfare as a key priority, pledging to champion fair labour practices, safe working conditions, skills development and protection against workplace exploitation.
Beyond citizen empowerment, Seagile believes that the nightclub and bar industry has significant potential to contribute to Botswana’s economic growth through increased investment, job creation, tourism promotion and broader economic activity.
As part of this vision, he highlighted that ABONIC plans to work closely with government and other stakeholders to support the development of a structured, safe and sustainable 24-hour economy. In his view, extending economic activity beyond traditional operating hours could unlock new business opportunities and create additional employment across various sectors.
The new chairman also committed to driving compliance and professionalisation across the industry. He said the association will encourage members to adhere to licensing requirements, labour laws, health and safety standards, and responsible business practices.
“We want to position the industry as a respected and professional sector that operates within the law while delivering quality experiences to customers,” he said.
Another key focus area, he said, will be on reducing operational costs for members through collective bargaining. Seagile revealed plans to negotiate strategic partnerships with suppliers, distributors, financial institutions and service providers to secure discounts and favourable business terms for ABONIC members.
In addition, Seagile said the association has yet other plans to raise industry standards by promoting excellence in customer service, security, hygiene, entertainment and infrastructure development across member establishments.
'To strengthen the association’s influence, ABONIC will launch a nationwide membership drive aimed at attracting more operators into the organisation. The campaign will be supported by business development services, training opportunities, industry representation and exclusive member incentives,' he said.
As part of deliverables, Seagile expects the strategy to deliver increased membership growth, stronger engagement with government, improved compliance levels, reduced operating costs and enhanced professionalism within six months. Ultimately, he believes these interventions will lay a solid foundation for a thriving nightlife sector and contribute towards Botswana’s broader economic aspirations.
“Our vision is to build a professional, compliant, citizen-driven and globally competitive nightlife industry that contributes meaningfully to Botswana’s economic growth and prosperity,” he said.