Total Gives Entrepreneurs A Boost
Pauline Dikuelo | Monday October 15, 2018 18:00
The challenge, which was launched this month, will close in the next five weeks with the overall winner walking away with P200,000 while the first runner will get P120,000 and the second runner up will get P80,000.
In an interview with Monitor Business, Total Botswana managing director Diego Mtshali said the competition is aimed at developing small businesses.
It is open to locals below the age of 35 with a viable idea or a business that has been operating for two years thus create employment in turn.
“Despite that the competition has been running in different countries that Total operates in for years, this competition is happening for the first time in Botswana. Through it, we want to play our part in developing the economy,” he said.
According to Mtshali, after five weeks they will close the applications and start screening them, a process that will see them selecting the top 100 depending on the quality of the submitted ideas.
He said the judges would then continuously shortlist some, coach and mentor them until April 2019 when they then announce a winner.
“The winner would then stand a chance to represent the country and compete for the grand prize with the other winners from 40 participating countries,” he said.
Mtshali said after the success of the first Challenge in 34 African countries, this year’s competition has been extended to a total of 55 around the world.
This year a Top Female Entrepreneur category has been introduced, he said.
“During the first challenge, women accounted for almost 25% of the winners, even though they only made up 13% of the applicants. With this special award this year, we hope to give the women entrepreneurs an extra push to take part. It is also aligned with other Total initiatives for women,” he said.
He further shared their aim of supporting good ideas and projects that help address a widespread problem affecting communities.
“It could be about providing educational opportunities, reducing child mortality, improving public health, developing access to electricity in rural areas, improving road safety on the roads or building houses with eco-friendly materials in fact, anything that could make life better in ones’ country,” he said.