The Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) has expanded access to its products and services by converting more of its key information and educational materials into Braille, strengthening efforts to build a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem for Botswana’s visually impaired community.
The initiative underscores the Agency’s commitment to removing barriers that have historically limited access to business development information for people living with visual impairments. By making more of its essential publications available in Braille, CEDA aims to ensure that more Batswana can access entrepreneurial information, secure financial support and participate more fully in economic activity, contributing to the country’s broader development goals.
Entrepreneurship remains one of the key drivers of economic diversification, employment creation and wealth generation. Ensuring that entrepreneurial information is accessible to all citizens is therefore not only a matter of inclusion but also a strategic investment in Botswana’s socio-economic development. The Braille conversion project covers a range of informational materials designed to guide aspiring and existing entrepreneurs through CEDA’s products, services and application processes. These include the recently launched “A Di Tsale Financial Product Suite.” This enables visually impaired entrepreneurs to independently access information, make informed business decisions and engage confidently with the Agency.
It aligns with CEDA’s broader commitment to promoting equal opportunities, diversity and accessibility in the delivery of its services. It also supports national aspirations to build an inclusive society where every citizen, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to realise their entrepreneurial potential.
Speaking about this, CEDA Caretaker Chief Executive Officer, Khalala Mokefane, reaffirmed that inclusive service delivery remains central to the Agency’s mandate of promoting citizen entrepreneurship.
“True empowerment begins with equal access to information. By making our materials available in Braille, we are ensuring that visually impaired entrepreneurs are not only informed but are empowered to pursue their business aspirations with confidence and dignity. Inclusive entrepreneurship strengthens our economy by ensuring that no potential entrepreneur is left behind.”
Beyond improving accessibility, the step contributes to sustainable economic empowerment by enabling persons with disabilities to access financing opportunities, business advisory services, financial literacy information and entrepreneurial development programmes that support business establishment, growth and long-term sustainability.
This reflects CEDA’s ongoing efforts to continuously improve customer experience through accessible, responsive and citizen-centred service delivery. It demonstrates the Agency’s belief that innovation extends beyond financial products to include the way services are designed and delivered to meet the diverse needs of all customers.
As Botswana continues its journey towards a more inclusive economy, CEDA remains committed to partnering with stakeholders to remove barriers, promote equal participation and create an environment where entrepreneurship is accessible to every citizen. Through initiatives such as the Braille conversion of its publications, CEDA continues to demonstrate that economic empowerment is most impactful when it is inclusive, equitable and accessible to all.
Amongst others, the material will be distributed to Botswana Council for the Disabled (BCD), Botswana Association for the Blind and Partially Sighted (BABPS), Pudulogong Rehabilitation Centre (in Mochudi), LephoiCentre (in Francistown) and libraries in major villages and towns.
