The diamond company stated recently that companies supported by the Tokafala Enterprise Development Programme have raised more than P36.4 million in funding from various development finance institutions. The figure exceeded the scheme’s original P27 million target, officials announced recently. Providing an update last week, De Beers Vice President for Social Impact and Sustainability, Otsile Mabeo, said the milestone reflected growing investor confidence in Botswana’s SMEs and underscored the programme’s role in connecting local businesses with capital. “These results demonstrate the real and lasting value Tokafala is bringing to Botswana’s entrepreneurs and small businesses,” Mabeo said.
“By equipping local enterprises with the skills, resources, and networks they need to thrive, we are helping them to build a more resilient and inclusive economy.” The funding success is part of a broader performance report showing Tokafala has supported 4,537 jobs in total and created 808 new ones, surpassing its target of 630. The programme, a partnership between Debswana, De Beers, the Government of Botswana, and Anglo American, offers mentoring, business skills training, and support in accessing finance for SMEs across multiple sectors. De Beers added that the programme’s impact extends beyond financial metrics, with a particular focus on empowering youth- and women-led enterprises. Many of the newly created jobs are in manufacturing, retail, services, and agribusiness, which are seen as critical for economic diversification. The company noted that Tokafala’s strong performance is helping advance Botswana’s efforts to broaden its economic base beyond diamond mining. With the latest figures, the programme is set to deepen its partnerships with financial institutions and expand its reach to more entrepreneurs nationwide.
