𝗗𝗲𝗯𝘀𝘄𝗮𝗻𝗮, 𝗖𝗘𝗗𝗔 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Debswana Diamond Company (Debswana) and the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening citizen enterprise development, local procurement, industrialisation, and Botswana’s broader economic diversification agenda.

At the heart of the partnership is a shared commitment to create stronger pathways for citizen-owned businesses to participate meaningfully in Debswana’s supply chain and diversification ventures. CEDA will provide financing and business development support to qualifying Debswana suppliers and beneficiaries of Debswana’s Citizen Economic Empowerment Programme (CEEP), subject to CEDA’s eligibility criteria, due diligence, and approval processes.

The partnership combines Debswana’s economic footprint, operational expertise, supply chain and ability to create anchor demand with CEDA’s experience in financing, developing, and supporting citizen-owned enterprises. Together, the organisations will identify, assess and support commercially viable businesses through financing, supplier development, capacity building and mentorship.

The CEDA Caretaker Chief Executive Officer, Khalala Mokefane said “This MoU represents a shared commitment to grow citizen-owned enterprises that deliver lasting economic participation and local value retention. Through this partnership, CEDA will be able to finance qualifying Debswana suppliers and CEEP beneficiaries, helping them build the capacity required to secure opportunities, deliver competitively, and develop sustainable businesses.”

Beyond supplier financing, the partnership will explore opportunities to develop industries beyond diamond mining, particularly in mining towns and surrounding communities. Areas of focus may include mining, manufacturing, processing, logistics, infrastructure, manufacturing, innovation, and other services that can deepen local value chains, increase domestic value addition, and create sustainable employment.

“Our ambition is to support the development of industries that create jobs, promote citizen participation, strengthen local enterprises, and drive innovation across multiple sectors of the economy” said Andrew Maatla Motsomi, Debswana Chief Executive Officer. “By combining Debswana’s experience, networks, and operational capabilities with CEDA’s expertise in enterprise development and financing, we have an opportunity to unlock far greater impact than either organisation could achieve independently.”

In addition, CEDA and Debswana will explore opportunities to mobilise financial and technical resources from development finance institutions, multilateral organisations, private investors, and other strategic partners.

Implementation of the MoU will be overseen by a Joint Steering Committee comprising representatives from both institutions. Progress will be measured against outcomes including employment creation, citizen enterprise participation, local procurement, business sustainability and contribution to economic diversification.

Through this partnership, CEDA and Debswana reaffirm their shared commitment to building competitive citizen enterprises, strengthening Botswana’s productive capacity, and ensuring that major economic value chains create sustainable opportunities for Batswana.