Strengthening Partnerships with SADC-DFRC

04 Apr, 2025

Business Botswana CEO, Mr Norman Moleele, hosted a productive meeting yesterday with representatives from the Southern African Development Community - Development Finance Resource Centre (SADC-DFRC). SADC-DFRC was represented by the CEO, Mr Zweli Sapula, and Senior Capacity Building Officer, Ms Maipelo Stroh, aimed to introduce the organisation to Business Botswana and explore opportunities for collaboration to facilitate a private sector-led economy.

Mr. Sapula provided an in-depth overview of SADC-DFRC, explaining that the organisation was established by the SADC Secretariat with the mandate to drive economic development and growth across the Southern African region. SADC-DFRC works closely with a network of 43 Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) spanning all 16 SADC countries, supporting infrastructure project development and regional integration. The organisation plays a critical role in mobilising resources, providing capacity-building initiatives, and supporting institutional restructuring to enhance efficiency and attract resources to the region. Key areas of focus for SADC-DFRC include infrastructure, agriculture, small, medium, and micro-enterprises (SMMEs), micro-financing, and industrialisation.

Mr. Sapula further indicated that SADC-DFRC is planning an event scheduled to take place in Botswana in June 2025. The event will bring together DFIs and multilateral entities, including the European Commission, World Bank, JICA, and the African Development Bank (AfDB), providing Botswana with a platform to showcase its economic opportunities. The event is expected to attract significant attention from regional and international stakeholders, positioning Botswana as a key player in regional economic integration.

Mr. Sapula also expressed SADC-DFRC’s interest in collaborating with Business Botswana, recognising its role as the apex business advocacy body and the largest representative organisation in the country.

Responding to SADC-DFRC’s proposals, Mr. Moleele welcomed the visit and reaffirmed Business Botswana’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with key organisations like SADC-DFRC. He provided a high-level overview of Business Botswana, highlighting its evolution from an Employer Federation founded in 1971 to its current role as a comprehensive Business Representative Body.

Mr. Moleele mentioned that Business Botswana advocates for a business-friendly environment that will enable businesses to thrive. He also indicated that the organisation is actively involved in various policymaking bodies and participates in several SADC initiatives, including the SADC Private Sector Forum (SPSF) and the SADC Chambers of Commerce.

Responding to the capacity-building collaboration, Ms. Malefo Maidi, Head of Finance and Corporate Services, detailed the organisation’s current programmes, focusing on corporate management covering topics such as disciplinary hearings, customer service, and supervisory skills. Additionally, the organisation assists businesses with developing project proposals for donor funding, with a particular focus on supporting SMMEs.

Ms. Maidi highlighted the ongoing Support to Economic Diversification Project, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), which has already supported over 400 businesses in sectors like horticulture, small stock, and tourism. Through the project, shared service centres were established for the Botswana Horticultural Association and the Botswana Informal Sector Association, providing valuable resources to help formalise their operations.

Moreover, Ms. Maidi introduced the Private Sector Development Strategy (PSDS), a blueprint designed to ensure the private sector takes the lead in driving economic growth. The PSDS aims to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, with a focus on expanding opportunities for SMMEs and fostering innovation across key sectors.

In closing, Mr. Mpaphi Tsholofelo, Head of Policy, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to supporting SMMEs through strategic capacity-building initiatives. Both SADC-DFRC and Business Botswana share a common vision of promoting sustainable economic development in Botswana and the broader Southern African region.