Through the nationwide campaign, Botswana is expected to develop a centralised database of SMMEs operating across the country. This is anticipated to improve coordination amongst ecosystem players and support more informed planning and targeted interventions. As part of the process, since March this year consultations have been carried out countrywide across all districts and will end by May 2026. LEA Head of Information and Knowledge Management, Dynah Solani, explained that these engagements are intended to gather stakeholder input and ensure that the registration framework is inclusive and responsive to the needs of businesses.
"LEA, as the national SMME development agency, has the mandate to advocate for policies and legislation that enhance access to services and support. It is within this context that the authority is lobbying for the introduction of mandatory SMME registration in Botswana," she said. The move comes as government, LEA and other development partners continue to face persistent challenges due to the lack of accurate and reliable data on SMMEs. Authorities say the absence of credible data has negatively affected effective policy formulation, planning and programming for the sector. However the agency, which nurtures small businesses, emphasised that the proposed system was not intended to place a burden on businesses. In many economies, similar registration processes are free of charge, recognising the financial constraints faced by SMMEs. LEA indicated that any associated costs, if introduced, would be minimal and outweighed by the benefits adding that importantly, it authority distinguished between mandatory and compulsory registration. Under the proposed framework, there will be no penalties for businesses that do not register.
