New era dawns in banking sector

Mabusa. PIC KABO MPAETONA
Mabusa. PIC KABO MPAETONA

After a lukewarm 2014, characterised by sluggish profitability on the back of suppressed interest rates margins, increased competition, falling liquidity and deposits, Bankers Association of Botswana CEO Oabile Mabusa discusses the turnabout sweeping the industry and its prospects in 2015 with BusinessWeek Correspondent ISAAC PINIELO

Mmegi: How was the financial performance and profitability of the Botswana banking industry during 2014?

Mabusa: The year 2014 has been an exciting and challenging year for banking industry performance and profitability. The positive commercial bank lending trajectory, which was observed in 2013 continued into the third quarter of 2014, demonstrating strong commercial bank optimism against the backdrop of subdued deposit growth.  However, a definitive statement about industry performance and profitability trends for the year can only be made when industry aggregates have been consolidated post-end of year.

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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