Absa, UNICEF highlight private sector role in social development
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 | 130 Views |
Keabetswe Pheko Moshagane.PIC.KENNEDY RAMOKONE
The two recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that builds on the relationship already established between the organisations. Officials said the move brings together Absa’s citizenship focus areas—education, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and sustainability—with UNICEF’s long-standing advocacy for child protection, care, and empowerment. Both institutions view the partnership as a practical framework for addressing national development priorities while aligning with global standards for responsible and child-sensitive business practices. “This partnership embodies our commitment to purposeful impact for children, their families, and their broader communities across Botswana,” said Keabetswe Pheko-Moshagane, Managing Director of Absa Bank Botswana.
“UNICEF has provided a platform for us to deepen our role as a purpose-led bank.” The two-year partnership reinforces the two’s shared commitment to safeguarding children’s rights, advancing workplace equity, and strengthening community well-being across the country. The agreement was signed during a ceremony at Absa Bank Botswana Head Office. The central feature of the agreement is its emphasis on integrating child-focused principles into Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks; a growing expectation within global business. It also promotes workplace policies that support families, elevate gender equity, and encourage business environments that are safe and responsive to the needs of young people. By leveraging their combined expertise, the partners aim to deliver initiatives that are not only effective but sustainable.
Over the years, there has been many reports of infants being abandoned by parents. Many factors can contribute to child abandonment, some of which may stem from mental health issues and lack of support, but other reasons may be that one could have made better choices with proper education. Some parents abandon their infants due to financial difficulties and the fear of having to provide for a newborn. Many developed countries have come up with...