THE BUSINESS CLINIC
The free revolution giving SMES a shot in the arm
When Covid-19 lockdowns were at their peak back in 2020, a business-minded youth realised the pandemic would spell doom and gloom for many of the country’s smaller enterprises.
This light bulb moment inspired Aobakwe Nkoni, 26, to start the Business Clinic, a hub which provides free business assistance to SMES and SMMES.
Three years later, Nkoni proudly tells Voice Money the initiative has helped over 450 Batswana-owned businesses find redemption.
Currently housed at Gaborone Bonnington North MP, Anna Mokgethi’s office in Phase 2, the clinic offers free business advisory skills, marketing skills, training and development, financial literacy and assistance with business proposals.
“It was founded with the intent to influence and enhance the development of SMES and SMMES in relation to business development and their growth, taking into consideration that many of the small scale businesses were affected by the pandemic,” he explains.
Although under the MP’S office, Nkoni insists the clinic is not politically dividing and aims to assist all business advice-seeking Batswana regardless of party colours.
“While the Business Clinic is named with the letters of the Gaborone Bonnington North Constituency, our services are not only limited to constituents of this region. Although I must point out that priority is given to members of this constituency,” states Nkoni, adding clients from as far as Francistown, Maun and Kanye have made use of their services.
The Entrepreneurship and Business Leadership graduate admits that despite having a team of highly competent consultants, they are limited in terms of the business-related services they offer.
TECHNICALITIES
“When it comes to technicalities such as people seeking advice in, say Engineering, we cannot help them. However, we acknowledge it as a chance to build partnerships with other stakeholders who we refer them to.”
He also noted the clinic is currently being run by volunteers due to financial constraints.
There is, however, a plan in place to register under the Government Volunteer Scheme so that these selfless individuals can be remunerated for their dedication.
Nkoni remains convinced entrepreneurship can develop the lives of Batswana if knowledge and skills are imparted well and accurately.
As a result, his office conducts routine monitoring of the client’s businesses to ensure growth.
“We host training workshops, business consultations and attend to general business enquiries. Last year, we had the second YDF training workshop where we trained the youth with regard to the YDF business proposal preparations and many of them were successful in their applications,” said Nkoni, an Assistant Research and Administration officer at Botswana Speaks.
Going forward, the Business Clinic is looking into widening their market to reach different horizons and people from different walks of life. “In 2023, we hope to extend outside the youth bracket and reach out to retired people, out of school people and other groups who might need to be trained on business,” he concluded.