Bank Gaborone and the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) have signed a three-year Memorandum of Agreement aimed at improving access to finance, strengthening entrepreneurship and supporting the growth of small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in Botswana.
The partnership combines Bank Gaborone’s banking and financing capabilities with LEA’s enterprise development services, including training, mentorship, incubation and business advisory support. The two institutions said the collaboration is designed to help entrepreneurs become more bankable, investment-ready and better positioned to access opportunities in domestic and international markets.
Under the agreement, LEA will focus on enterprise development and business preparedness, while Bank Gaborone will provide tailored banking solutions, funding opportunities, financial literacy programmes and business support. The partnership will also include workshops, business clinics, roadshows, expos and other SMME-focused initiatives.
Bank Gaborone Acting Managing Director Tsaone Raboloko said the agreement reflects the bank’s commitment to inclusive economic growth and broader participation in the economy.
“Entrepreneurs play a critical role in driving Botswana’s economic growth, job creation, and diversification,” Raboloko said.
“As Bank Gaborone, we are guided by our brand purpose of improving lives through leadership in financial services and being Connectors of Positive Change. This partnership gives practical expression to that purpose by helping SMMEs access the support, knowledge, and financial solutions they need to grow sustainably.”
The bank has expanded its focus on the SMME sector through initiatives such as Kgwebo Connect, a programme designed to connect entrepreneurs with knowledge, networks and business opportunities. It also provides financing solutions for Botswana’s agricultural sector, including livestock, horticulture and grain production, and offers SME-focused transactional products such as the Easy2pay payment platform. Raboloko said the partnership extends beyond financing to support long-term business development. “While access to finance is a critical part of this collaboration, the true value of this partnership lies in its integrated approach to enterprise growth,” he said.
“LEA’s extensive experience in supporting entrepreneurs to build their businesses into bankable ventures, while capacitating existing enterprises to scale, positions the Authority as a critical de-risking partner for financiers. Through its business development services, capability development programmes, and market access interventions, LEA helps strengthen enterprise readiness, improve sustainability, and increase the confidence of financial institutions to extend support to SMMEs.”
“By working with LEA, we are able to support SMMEs beyond funding by helping them strengthen governance, improve financial management, access new markets, and build the resilience needed to grow sustainably. As Bank Gaborone, we remain committed to partnerships that deliver practical value for entrepreneurs and contribute meaningfully to Botswana’s long-term economic development.”
LEA Acting Chief Executive Officer Onkabetse Moatlhodi said the agreement comes at a significant time for Botswana’s enterprise development agenda.
“LEA’s mandate is to empower entrepreneurs with the tools, skills, and support required to build competitive businesses that can survive even through challenging economic environments,” Moatlhodi said.
“As the national agency responsible for enterprise and entrepreneurship development, LEA has a central role to play as an economic catalyst and lead orchestrator of SMME development. This partnership with Bank Gaborone strengthens the link between enterprise development and access to finance, enabling more SMMEs to move from potential to meaningful economic contribution.”
He said partnerships between development institutions and financial service providers are critical to strengthening Botswana’s SMME ecosystem.
“By combining LEA’s enterprise development capabilities with Bank Gaborone’s financial solutions, we are creating a more practical and structured pathway for entrepreneurs,” Moatlhodi said.
“LEA’s extensive experience in supporting entrepreneurs to build their businesses into bankable ventures, while capacitating existing enterprises to scale, positions the Authority as a critical de-risking partner for financiers. Through its business development services, capability development programmes, and market access interventions, LEA helps strengthen enterprise readiness, improve sustainability, and increase the confidence of financial institutions to extend support to SMMEs.”
The partnership will focus on improving access to finance, financial literacy, business capacity building, programme development, market access and joint engagement initiatives. It will also seek to expand enterprise development programmes and increase opportunities for local businesses to participate in key value chains.
The agreement will be implemented over three years, with quarterly reviews to monitor progress and assess impact.
“Through this platform, we aim to unlock funding, strengthen business confidence, and support the sustainable growth of Botswana’s entrepreneurs,” Raboloko said.
