Africa-Press – Botswana. The Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs (MYGA), in partnership with De Beers Group, UN Women, and Stanbic Bank, hosted a South-South Exhibition under the ENTREPRENHER programme, showcasing women entrepreneurs from Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. The event provided a platform for cross-border learning, business exposure, and regional collaboration.
During her welcome remarks, Permanent Secretary Ms. Bridget Poppy John stressed the importance of building inclusive ecosystems that enable women to scale from micro-businesses to competitive enterprises. She highlighted that empowering women is key to reducing inequality, strengthening communities, and driving sustainable economic growth.
Hon. Lesego Chombo delivered an address emphasizing equity and confidence as central to women’s empowerment. She acknowledged the financial, social, and structural barriers women continue to face while celebrating their determination to transform families, communities, and national economies.
A major highlight was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between MYGA and Stanbic Bank Botswana. The partnership aims to improve financial access and provide business development support for women-owned enterprises.
UN Women Representative and Programme Manager Ms. Agnes Phiri reflected on the success of the EntreprenHer Programme, which has supported thousands of women across Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. She highlighted the role of strategic partnerships in equipping women with business skills, improving market access, and preparing them to enter high-value and male-dominated sectors. Future phases of the programme will integrate digital transformation and climate-smart agriculture to enhance resilience.
The exhibition concluded with a vibrant showcase of businesses led by women from the three countries. The event demonstrated the creativity, determination, and economic potential of women-owned enterprises, reinforcing the importance of regional collaboration in promoting women’s entrepreneurship.
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