Reviewing the revised CEDA guidelines

Grand reveal: The revised guidelines were launched recently PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG
Grand reveal: The revised guidelines were launched recently PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG

On July 16, 2020, President Mokgweetsi Masisi launched the revised Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) Lending Guidelines and Requirements.

The guidelines were a revision of guidelines that were launched and approved in 2008. Since then, the Botswana economy has changed drastically necessitating a revision of the guidelines to ensure they are still relevant to the market and clients.

 The guidelines have taken an even bigger sense of importance in the past year. As they were being developed, we have since seen the calls for Economic Transformation taking centre stage in national discourse. The new guidelines therefore, will be very central and relevant for pushing national priorities like Citizen Economic Empowerment, import substitution and most recently the need to reduce the country’s dependence on its neighbours for trade. Contrary to popular belief COVID-19 was not the reason the guidelines were reviewed, but it has thrust them squarely in the limelight and made them more important going forward with the Economic Recovery and Transformation Plan. So, what are the main changes to the guidelines?

Editor's Comment
Depression is real; let's take care of our mental health

It is not uncommon in this part of the world for parents to actually punish their children when they show signs of depression associating it with issues of indiscipline, and as a result, the poor child will be lashed or given some kind of punishment. We have had many suicide cases in the country and sadly some of the cases included children and young adults. We need to start looking into issues of mental health with the seriousness it...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up