“The time to collaborate and build resilience together is now.” These words capture the spirit behind Bank Gaborone’s latest initiative: Kgwebo Connect, an online series launched in partnership with Mmegi newspaper. Every other Friday, this series will stream live on Mmegi and Bank Gaborone’s Facebook channel, creating a vibrant space for dialogue on issues shaping Botswana’s small and medium enterprise (SME) sector.
This initiative comes at a pivotal moment. During the recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), government announced plans to launch an SMME Fund through the Botswana Stock Exchange, signaling a bold step to include SMEs in the march toward shared prosperity.
This is a clear call to action for all stakeholders to rally behind Botswana’s Economic Transformation Programme (BETP)a blueprint for diversifying our economy beyond diamonds and building resilience through sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, and technology.
At Bank Gaborone, we believe in collaboration, our brand purpose is to be connectors of positive change. Kgwebo Connect is a living example of purpose connecting entrepreneurs to knowledge, networks, and opportunities that can transform their businesses and, ultimately, our nation.
SMEs are not just businesses; they are Botswana’s growth engine. They represent over 90% of all enterprises, contribute around 35% to GDP, and provide nearly half of formal employment. Yet, many face barriers limited by access to finance, regulatory complexity, and market constraints.
Kgwebo Connect addresses these challenges head-on by: Sharing expert insights on funding, digital transformation, and market trends, showcasing success stories to inspire and guide emerging entrepreneurs, Creating a platform for dialogue between SMEs, policymakers, and financial institutions.
Our commitment goes beyond banking transactions. We understand that when SMEs thrive, Botswana thrives. By empowering entrepreneurs, we are helping to reduce unemployment (currently at 27.6%) and strengthen economic resilience. This is not charity, it’s strategic nation-building.
Globally, economies that prioritize SMEs have seen remarkable transformation. South Africa’s SMEs account for 98% of businesses and up to 60% of employment. Botswana can achieve similar success if we invest in SMEs today.
Kgwebo Connect is more than a series, it’s a movement. We invite everyone from entrepreneurs, policymakers, and industry leaders to join us every Friday on Mmegi’s Facebook channel. Let’s share ideas, tackle challenges, and unlock opportunities together.
The time to collaborate and build resilience is now. At Bank Gaborone, we are proud to be connectors of positive change. Together, we can turn Botswana’s vision of a diversified, inclusive economy into reality.
*Mamix Thakadu, Head of Retail, Bank Gaborone
