Letshego sheds reliance on Botswana market

Letshego Holdings building
Letshego Holdings building

For the first time since its inception, micro-lender, Letshego Holdings generated the lion’s share of its profits from outside Botswana as the group reaps dividends from aggressive geographical diversification efforts. In a commentary accompanying the group’s financial results for the year ended January 2014, Letshego says more than half (58 percent) of profits before tax was generated outside Botswana from 40 percent in the previous period.

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.

Editor's Comment
Micro-procurement maze demands urgent reform

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...

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