Stanbic, Debswana collaborate for entrepreneurs

This MOU provides a framework of cooperation and facilitates and strengthens collaboration between Debswana and the Bank on a non-exclusive basis, in areas of common interest, specifically building innovative, productive and competitive small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to enable them to effectively and efficiently supply Debswana,” Morapedi.

The Bank has further expressed that it will provide skilled Relationship Managers for the day-to-day business needs of suppliers on the CEEP programme. The suppliers will also be granted access to the Stanbic Bank Accelerate Incubator as a shared facility to work from and hold meetings.

“We are excited to bring this partnership to life, designed to yield true impact and enhance a citizen-driven, citizen-empowerment effort in the Debswana Supply

Chain and business ecosystem development.

This partnership is a key catalyst to tap into the vast skills available in the country, as it will create access to the Debswana Supply Chain and enable SME growth through capacity-building initiatives set up by the Debswana Supplier Development Programme and our partners. It will further drive the country’s agenda in developing a knowledgebased economy,” said Acting Supplier Development

Manager at Debswana, Resego Keipidile.

In addition, suppliers are offered Stanbic Bank’s Trade Club solution as the Bank recognises the need for the identified participants to diversify their product offering beyond the Debswana CEEP contracts in order to achieve exponential business growth.

This extends beyond Botswana’s borders through exports thus providing local suppliers with access to markets.