In collaboration with the Ministry of Entrepreneurship, De Beers Global Sightholder Sales (DBGSS) held a high-level Entrepreneurship Insights Workshop to facilitate engagements on the opportunities and solutions to strengthening the entrepreneurship landscape of Botswana.
In attendance were beneficiaries of the De Beers Group Social Investment and Sustainability initiatives, namely Stanford Seed, Tokafala and Go-to-Market entrepreneurs, as well as Wealth Creation, the Youth Development Fund and LEA of the Botswana Government.
The aim of the Entrepreneurship Insights Workshop was for the ministry to gain insights from entrepreneurs in Botswana so as to provide meaningful inputs to the ministry’s Entrepreneurship Policy, which is currently under review.
Affirming its commitment to Botswana’s economic growth and prosperity, De Beers collaborated with the Ministry of Entrepreneurship to facilitate this transformative Insights workshop. This endeavour holds the promise of igniting a new era of entrepreneurship in the country, laying the foundation for sustainable development. “Entrepreneurs are the backbone of the Botswana economy and a catalyst to transform the economy of Botswana into a knowledge and export-led economy, underpinning the Botswana government’s vision of 2030 of creating wealth for all,” said Otsile Mabeo, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs at De Beers Group.
The partnership between De Beers, a renowned global leader in the diamond industry, and the Ministry of Entrepreneurship, a beacon of local empowerment, signifies a shared dedication to “Building Forever” – a visionary concept that seamlessly aligns with Botswana’s aspirations for a knowledge-based and export-driven economy. Recognising entrepreneurs as the driving force behind these ambitions, the occasion was a necessary step towards ensuring relevant frameworks for the empowerment of the entrepreneurial community.
In his opening remarks, the Director of Strategy and Special Projects, Ronnie Phuthego, outlined the ministry’s strategic approach, underscoring the significance of its six core departments: Wealth Creation, Value Chains, Start Ups, Cooperatives, Cluster Chain Development, and the Youth Development Fund. These departments are poised to serve as the cornerstones of entrepreneurial development, nurturing talent and fostering innovation.
The Ministry of Entrepreneurship (MoE) was recently established as part of the Reset Agenda currently being pursued by the Botswana Government. Its mandate centres on “provision of leadership and overall policy direction, strategy and standards on business development” in the country. The ministry’s portfolio responsibilities encompass a number of areas, including enterprise development and coordination, small business development policy, wealth creation, citizen economic empowerment, coordination of value chains and women economic empowerment.
The Entrepreneurship Insights Workshop came to life as entrepreneurs immersed themselves in the design thinking model, an innovative problem-solving approach that encourages collaboration and creative exchange. In an atmosphere ripe with innovation, they delved into the critical issues plaguing Botswana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The design thinking methodology served as a catalyst, propelling participants to identify forward-looking solutions that can reshape the landscape of business challenges.
As the workshop concluded, a palpable sense of enthusiasm and purpose permeated the air. The shared vision of nurturing a flourishing entrepreneurial ecosystem had united diverse minds, fostering a newfound camaraderie. The insights shared, ideas exchanged, and innovative solutions proposed heralded the dawn of a new era in Botswana’s economic journey. The collaborative spirit exhibited by De Beers and the Ministry of Entrepreneurship, combined with the determination of Botswana’s entrepreneurs, is a harbinger of a brighter future.
With the design thinking model as a guiding light, challenges metamorphose into opportunities, and ideas evolve into solutions. This holistic approach to fostering entrepreneurship ensures that Botswana remains at the forefront of innovation and progress. In partnership, the two entities have not only ignited the spark of possibility but also set the stage for a transformational journey. From insights to action, from challenges to solutions, the road ahead holds the promise of a dynamic, prosperous Botswana driven by the ingenuity and resilience of its entrepreneurial community.
