The criteria for Best SME Bank is based on knowledge of SME markets and needs, breadth of ย products and services, market standing, and innovation. FNB was recognised as the bank that ย best meets the specialised needs of SMEs in Africa.ย
Mr Steven Lefentse Bogatsu, FNB Botswana CEO, says, “To be awarded as the Best SME Bank ย in Africa is truly humbling and affirms our commitment to empowering SMEs to continue ย playing a meaningful role in economies across our continent. Over the course of the ย pandemic, we have accelerated investment in our digital platforms to ensure that our ย commercial and retail clients can overcome operational and financial constraints caused by ย the global pandemic. As the global economy gradually re-opens, we remain on hand to help ย our clients to regain economic activity in all areas where we operate.”ย
He also mentioned that the Bank has an innate mandate to promote the growth of the smallย and medium enterprises through improved access to finance and competitive finance creditย facilities, as well as transactional and investment facilities.ย ย
Petrus Sebina, FNBB Commercial Head says, “This accolade attests to our ongoing endeavours ย to better understand and provide solutions for our clientsโ needs. Our strategy is underpinned ย by a myriad of initiatives to support businesses throughout their life stages and unique ย context. ย
FNBB recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with United Nations Developmentย Programme, within the framework of the UNDP Supplier Development Programme, toย encourage buyers who are currently importing products to supply the Botswana market toย buy from local suppliers, to create jobs and diversify the economy while reducing poverty andย inequality. This partnership will facilitate the much needed access to finance and capacityย building for local SMEs as they start, run and upscale their businesses.
