Letshego sheds reliance on Botswana market
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Letshego Holdings building
In the group’s 16-year old history, Botswana has consistently contributed the majority of profits. An expansion into new markets, including the East African region has not diversified the group profit and asset mix but significantly cut down Botswana’s contribution to the stable.
In 2008, a mere eight percent of Letshego’s profits were generated from outside Botswana before increasing to 35 percent in 2012 and 40 percent in the year ended January 2013.
Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...