Stanbic Bank Botswana hosted its CIB Connect Series, bringing together senior Government representatives, business leaders, clients and industry stakeholders for a focused conversation on Botswana’s competitiveness and the opportunities available to strengthen sustainable economic growth.
Held under the theme “Competitiveness in a Challenging Economic Environment,” the session provided a platform for leaders across the public and private sectors to exchange perspectives on the realities shaping business today, including trade, investment, productivity, changing consumer dynamics, stronger local value chains and positioning Botswana businesses for growth within the country and across regional markets.
Stanbic Bank Botswana Acting Chief Executive, Thomas Mpedi, said the session reflects the Bank’s focus on staying close to the issues shaping its clients and the wider economy.
“Businesses are making important decisions about investment, growth, efficiency and the markets they want to pursue. Our responsibility as a bank is to meet that ambition with insight, expertise, networks and relationships. Platforms such as the CIB Connect Series allow us to bring business, Government and industry together for meaningful conversations around what Botswana needs to strengthen its competitiveness and create sustainable growth,” said Mpedi
Mpedi noted that despite a challenging operating environment, Botswana’s business community continues to demonstrate ambition, with businesses exploring new markets, improving efficiencies and identifying new avenues for growth.
Joel Ramaphoi, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship, brought a national perspective to the discussion, highlighting the importance of strengthening Botswana’s productive capacity, growing competitive local enterprises and creating an environment that supports greater private-sector investment.
“The private sector’s role is to bring operational velocity, innovation, and skin in the game. And my call to action is direct to entrepreneurs; graduate from the culture of the government invoice or GPOs, build businesses designed to win international clients and bring your banker into your expansion plans early,” said Ramaphoi.
He further emphasised the importance of developing businesses with the capacity to create employment, supply larger industries, attract investment and pursue opportunities in regional and international markets.
The session also welcomed Frad Shoko, Global Head of Consumer Sector at Standard Bank Group, who brought a wider African perspective to the conversation, particularly around developments influencing the consumer sector and how businesses are responding to changing market conditions across the continent.
Godfrey Mwanza, Economist at Stanbic Bank Botswana, provided an economic outlook focused on the forces influencing business and investment decisions, while the panel discussion brought together perspectives from Government, business and the financial sector on competitiveness, diversification, trade and opportunities for growth.
“The economic indicators are beginning to point towards a gradual recovery. While some of the measures introduced by key economic institutions have required short-term adjustment, they have proven appropriate in helping to restore stability and strengthen our economic footing. I remain optimistic,” Mwanza said.
The discussions highlighted the importance of strengthening local productive capacity, building resilient value chains and supporting businesses with the ambition and potential to compete at greater scale. They also reinforced the importance of connecting Botswana enterprises to opportunities across the African continent.
The CIB Connect Series created space for direct engagement between decision-makers across Government, business and the financial sector, with the discussion centred on the practical realities of operating and growing businesses in the current environment. For Stanbic Bank Botswana, the conversation also provided an opportunity to hear directly from clients and industry leaders on the pressures shaping their businesses, while sharing perspectives from across the Bank and the wider Standard Bank Group.
The Bank will continue to use the CIB Connect Series to bring relevant voices into the room, encourage constructive dialogue and keep its client conversations closely connected to the issues influencing business decisions in Botswana.
