Bank Gaborone and LEA Partner to Unlock SMME Growth and Financing OpportuniJes inBotswana
- Press Release
- 37 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Gaborone, Botswana - Bank Gaborone and the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at improving access to finance, strengthening entrepreneurship, and supporting the growth and sustainability of Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) in Botswana.
The three-year partnership brings together Bank Gaborone’s financial solutions and banking expertise with LEA’s enterprise development, training, mentorship, incubation, and business advisory capabilities. The collaboration is intended to help entrepreneurs become more bankable, investment-ready, and better positioned to access growth opportunities in local and international markets.
Through the MoU, LEA will support the development and preparation of enterprises, while Bank Gaborone will provide access to tailored banking solutions, funding opportunities, financial literacy, and business support. The partnership will also include joint activations such as workshops, business clinics, roadshows, expos, and SMME-focused platforms.
Speaking at the signing, Bank Gaborone Acting Managing Director Mr Tsaone Raboloko said the partnership reflects the Bank’s commitment to contributing to inclusive growth and meaningful economic participation.
“Entrepreneurs play a critical role in driving Botswana’s economic growth, job creation, and diversification. 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,” said Mr Raboloko.
Bank Gaborone is well known in the market for supporHng SME’s and providing meaningful solutions to their everyday challenges.
BG has pioneered SME engagement platforms like the Kgwebo Connect, which is a programme focusing on connecting entrepreneurs in Botswana and exposing them to knowledge, networks, and opportunities that can transform their businesses and, ultimately, our nation.
Furthermore, Bank Gaborone is actively supporting farmers and the agricultural sector in Botswana through providing financial solutions for farmers, focusing on livestock, horticulture, and grains.
Bank Gaborone offers some of the best transactional solutions in Botswana specifically for SME’s including our Easy2pay device, which is an affordable payment solution allowing SME’s to conveniently and securely receive/or make payments.
He added that the MoU aligns with Bank Gaborone’s continued focus on creating value for customers, communities, and the broader economy.
“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. By working with LEA, we can 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 commiJed to partnerships that deliver practical value for entrepreneurs and contribute meaningfully to Botswana’s long-term economic development,” he said.
LEA Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr Onkabetse Moatlhodi said the partnership comes at an important 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. As the national agency responsible for enterprise and entrepreneurship development, LEA plays a central role as an economic catalyst and the 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,” said Mr. Moatlhodi.
He added that coordinated partnerships remain essential to building a stronger 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. 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,” he said.
The partnership will focus on access to finance, financial literacy, business capacity building, programme development, market access, and joint SMME engagement initiatives. It will also support efforts to expand enterprise development programmes and create opportunities for local businesses to participate more effectively in key value chains.
The MoU will be implemented over three years, with quarterly reviews to track progress, assess impact, and ensure the partnership delivers meaningful support to entrepreneurs across Botswana. “Through this platform, we aim to unlock funding, strengthen business confidence, and support the sustainable growth of Botswana’s entrepreneurs,” added Mr Raboloko.
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