Africa-Press – Lesotho. Prime Cubate, an enterprise support organisation founded in 2022, recently hosted an Entrepreneur Networking Event aimed at boosting Lesotho’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Networking is a key component of Prime Cubate’s broader mission, to nurture young Basotho entrepreneurs by offering them the space, tools, and networks they need to grow.
This initiative falls under the World Bank-funded Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion Project (CAFI), which is dedicated to advancing financial inclusion and supporting 500 Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMEs) in Lesotho for a period of 5 years.
Speaking during the official ceremony, Nini Rose Moru, Co-founder of Prime Cubate, emphasised the importance of intentional partnerships in Lesotho’s business landscape.
Moru explained that Prime Cubate is one of the enterprise support organisations tasked with incubating businesses under CAFI, which aims to support 500 enterprises over a five-year period.
“We launched Prime Cubate with the aim of providing businesses with the technical skills and soft skills so that they can grow their businesses. So that they can create jobs and make an impact,” said Moru.
She noted that many people start businesses to meet daily needs or provide food for their families. However, she stressed the importance of shifting this mindset.
“But then we have to move from that mentality, because we have noticed that SMEs are the backbone of every growing economy and developing countries.”
“We are trying to help SMEs grow into franchises,” said Moru.
For many of the incubatees, Prime Cubate has already made a significant impact.
Thuso Sehloho, founder of Allmyneeds, a sustainable digital training startup, shared his journey:
“Before Prime Cubate, I did not even know how to structure a business plan. Now I am preparing to pitch to potential investors for the first time. The exposure, mentorship, and encouragement I have received here have completely transformed the way I think about business.”
“Today I can safely say that Allmyneeds in the top10 startup position globally, all thank to the legal assistance, finance and resources I got from CAFI and Prime Cubate,” said Sehloho.
Thabo Tšosane, owner of Botle Dairy Goat Farm, a local food processing company producing goods from goat milk, expressed how the program changed his view of business:
“I used to sell at community markets, but I never thought I would walk into a room full of investors. Prime Cubate has helped me see my business as something scalable, not just a hustle.”
“I normally use social media and flea markets to Promote my business, and have seen great results.”
He added that the training he received from CAFI and Prime Cubate has led to major growth in his business.
Similarly, Sam Ralefifi, founder of Iprint, a printing service provider, highlighted the challenges he faced and how Prime Cubate helped him through:
“The journey to get to where my company is today was not an easy one,” he said. “All thanks to CAFI and Prime Cubate for offering me a psychologist, I was able to get through most challenges.”
He credited both organisations for helping him achieve what once felt impossible:
“They have just made a deal with one big company in the country called TRM, and are the ones providing their services across Lesotho.”
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