UNDP- SDP gears to foster growth for SMEs
Unveils new brand – ATISA- SDP
The UNDP Supplier Development Programme ( UNDP- SDP) is now called the ATISA Supplier Development Programme ( ATISASDP), following a rebranding exercise that was launched by the Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare in 2021.
The new brand that was designed by a young Motswana, Director at 4th ID Design Firm, Ephimotswe Tshireletso was launched this week.
The SDP was established in partnership with the UNDP, the government and the private sector to create demand- based market- driven opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises ( SMEs). It is envisaged to have reached 15 buyers, over 200 suppliers ( SMEs) and 45 local SDP consultants by mid- 2022.
Currently, the programme has so far on- boarded 10 buyers, 130 suppliers and 45 local SDP consultants, 60 trained and 45 certified.
The SDP started in 2018 when the UNDP Botswana sought to assist SMEs, recognising their importance in driving the economy. It was rolled out in 2019.
According to UNDP Resident Representative, Balazs Horvath, the SDP project increases SME competitiveness, while connecting small- scale producers to larger market participants locally, as well as abroad.
Horvath added that the programme further aims to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the country to encourage innovation and create
employment.
“The project links suppliers and buyers in a strategic relationship that fosters enhanced productivity, competitiveness and product quality,” he said.
Horvath explained that the SDP brings together buyers, suppliers and UNDP- certified consultants in a tripartite partnership. The consultants facilitate the emergence and maintenance of an effective and growing supply chain between buyers and suppliers.
Horvath added that UNDP’s flagship SDP has strengthened local product and service diversification, value chains and job creation in several locations.
The programme’s current focus sectors include Mining, Energy, Infrastructure, Agro- processing, Leather, Textiles, Health, Digital and Manufacturing.
Horvath said seven financial institutions including the five commercial banks - Bank Gaborone, ABSA, FNB, Standard Chartered and Stanbic - will be involved, as well as two development banks, CEDA and NDB, which are already extending preferential lending to programme beneficiaries.
“The programme continues to grow, aiming for a much further reach and more beneficial effects on Botswana’s SMEs,” he said, adding that it is their belief that effective collaborations and partnerships facilitate the emergence of a conducive ecosystem.
They also plan to establish a partnership with the National Arts Council of Botswana ( NACB), a parastatal recently established under the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture.
The partnership is expected to help bolster private sector recovery efforts where the creative sector stands out as an area where efforts to ‘ leave no one behind are particularly relevant.
The NACB’s mandate is to develop, promote and protect the creative and cultural sector of Botswana through policy, legislation, industry facilitation and various partnerships and programmes.
NACB Board Chairman, Thabo Dithebe said the partnership between his organisation and that of the SDP is critical as it supports the integration of local businesses into regional value chains and ensures the increased participation of women and youth in economic diversification and poverty elimination initiatives.
Dithebe says while the youth can be a source of innovative solutions and have the ability to solve old problems with new technology and adapt rapidly to the ever- changing society, they face challenges when starting their businesses, such as learning opportunities, and skills building, network opportunities, linkages to potential markets, financing services, investors, mentors and partners.
“The UNDP- SDP has been a key and critical partner in achieving the mandate of the ministry, to create an enabling environment for youth empowerment,” Dithebe said, adding that the Russia- UNDP Trust Fund for Development in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development and Botswana Innovation Hub introduced the Youth Connekt platform through the SDP.
Another SDP partner, the Botswana Chamber of Mines also says that partnering with the UNDP on the rollout of its flagship SDP was a no- brainer, as the programme is in line with not only their member companies’ local economic development plans but also their mandate of sustainable businesses and economic diversification.
“It has been a fruitful journey to cochair the project steering committee of one of the most impactful private sector development programmes in the country, CEO, Charles Siwawa said.