Q: Kindly share with us your professional and academic journey.
A: I am a Chartered Accountant and a commerce graduate.
Q: Please share with us your role at Choppies, what it entails, and how you scaled through the ranks to your current position.
A: I joined Choppies in 2006. From 2012 to 2019, I served as Choppies Management Accountant. Later, I held the positions of Chief Compliance Officer and Investor Relations before becoming Interim Group CFO from 2019 to 2021. Between 2021 and 2024, I resumed the role of Chief Compliance Officer and Investor Relations. Since 2024, I have been the Head of Corporate Affairs.
Q: You will be speaking at the LSE Africa Summit 2025 in London. What is this event about, and what is its significance to Botswana, Africa, and the Choppies Group?
A: The summit, hosted by the London School of Economics (LSE), showcases Africaโs expertise and global contributions. Various panelists are invited to discuss Africaโs challenges and opportunities. I have been invited to speak on โThe Impact of ESG: Costs and Opportunities on Stewardship in the FMCG and Retail Sectors in Botswana.โ
I am proud to say that Choppies is recognised as the ESG leader in Botswanaโs retail sector. But to us, ESG is not just about reportingโitโs about action and results.
At Choppies, ESG has always been part of our DNAโlong before it became a global priority. We have always strived to create shared value, balancing profitability with societal and environmental impact.
Q: The event is themed โSecuring Africaโs Future: Providing Resilience in a Divided World.โ How relevant is this theme to Botswana and Africa, and what issues does it aim to address?
A: We believe that by focusing on ESG principles, we can build a more resilient business, better equipped to deal with any geopolitical or macroeconomic challenges.
Q: As a speaker at the event, kindly share snippets of the topic you will present.
A: I will share Choppiesโ economic, social, and governance journey with the audience. Choppies is the largest retailer in Southern Africa outside of South Africa and the largest private-sector employer in Botswana. Our shared-value strategy has been part of Choppiesโ DNA since inception and underpins not only our strategy but also our commitment to ESG.
Regarded as leaders in sustainable business practices in Botswana, we are committed to reducing environmental impact and increasing efficiency while balancing profitability with positive societal and environmental impact. Guided by global sustainability frameworks, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we actively track our environmental performance across five key segments: water usage, energy efficiency, waste reduction, packaging optimisation, and logistics.
Many see ESG as a compliance exercise, but for Choppies, it is a strategic advantage. We believe it enhances cost efficiency, supply chain resilience, customer trust, and long-term business sustainability. We also recognise that the future of retail in Africa is ESG-driven, as consumers demand it, investors prioritise it, and regulators enforce it.
Q: In your view, what should Africa and Botswana do to attract more foreign investment and spur economic growth?
A: Focus on good governance, ensuring stable and consistent forward-looking policies, and maintaining a very stable currency.
Q: Do you think Africa, and Botswana in particular, is doing enough to benefit from synergies with major economies like Asia, the USA, and Europe? Please share your views on how we can improve.
A: No, we hardly secure true trade agreements with emerging markets, and there are not enough exchange programmes.
