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Issue 47| Vol.16| April 2019

T he Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) recently held the SMME Pitso and Fair in Francistown under the theme

‘Empowering SMMEs in Pursuit of Business Development and Economic Diversification’. This annual

event has been decentralised from Gaborone, in an effort to reach out to SMMEs and Stakeholders in other parts

of the country; and afford them a platform to be part of a dialogue that seeks to enhance entrepreneurship and

sustainable SMME development in Botswana.

The SMME Pitso and Fair created an opportunity for market access by linking SMMEs to procuring entities as

well as business networks to advance their enterprises.

Along side the exhibition, there were seminars facilitated by the following institutions: Botswana Bureau of

Standards, Economic Diversification Drive Unit, Francistown City Council, Francistown Local Level Consultative

Committee, First National Bank Botswana and Eureka.

LEA HOSTS FRANCISTOWN SMME PITSO AND FAIR

Ms Peggy Serame, Permanent Secretary in the

Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry

Dr. Racious Moatshe welcoming

guests to the event

Mr. Mosalagae Sesupeng

motivating entrepreneurs

Mrs. Dimpho Madema sharing her

experience as LEA assisted enterprise

Mr. Carlos Sebina giving a

testimony on LEA services

Dr. Haniso Motlhabane, LEA Board

Member giving the closing remarks

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LEA also hosted an awards ceremony to recognize entrepreneurs who had performed exceptionally well under the different categories. These were sponsored by First National Bank Botswana, Botswana Stock Exchange and Botswana Investment Trade Centre

BEST YOUTH – Yaya Agrochem

BEST FEMALE – White Angels

BEST INNOVATIVE – Rednest Investments

BEST IN SERVICES & TOURISM – Yaya Agrochem

BEST IN AGRICULTURE – Leafyacres Trees & Nursery

BEST IN MANUFACTURING – Zila Investments

SMME PITSO & FAIR IN PICTURES

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T he Local Enterprise Authority launched the five year Strategy which aims to implement programmes and projects that are geared towards upskilling and upscaling the SMMEs to start and grow their businesses, and eventually contribute in the diversification of the economy. The LEA strategic intent is to have created a pool of innovative, sustainable and competitive SMMEs that

contribute to wealth and job creation, through a transformed business model, that drives effective coordination and provision of customised business support services to empower SMMEs to grow and export by 2023.

When welcoming the guests at the Strategy Launch Mrs. Keganele Malikongwa, the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry highlighted that the Government of Botswana is committed to the creation of a conducive environment for the SMMEs to thrive. The LEA CEO, Dr. Racious Moatshe stated that LEA as a development agency has a significant role of growing the SMME sector, hence the need to collaborate with other institutions that have the capability to complement the LEA mandate and enhance service delivery.

When giving the closing remarks LEA Board Member Dr. Haniso Motlhabane, encouraged stakeholders attending the launch to embrace LEA strategy as its main objective is to advance Botswana as a nation. LEA Clients were given an opportunity to showcase their products that ranged from toilet paper, furniture, processed foodstuffs, cleaning chemicals and leather products among others.

LEA 2018-2023 STRATEGY LAUNCH

Strategy Launch attendees deliberating on the newly launched strategy

Dr. Haniso Motlhabane

giving closing remarks

Dr. Racious Moatshe presenting

the LEA strategy Mrs. Keganele Malikongwa

welcoming the guests

Sleek Foods displaying relish

She Power Dishwashing liquid soap Soul Beat Furniture

Cottage Design Toilet Paper

Instyle Trends footwear LT Leather Bags

Maungo Craft bottled Jam

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LEA CLIENT OPENS AT AIRPORT JUNCTION

I na Lebe is a business that specializes on engraving and personalizing gifts, using laser engraving technology and creativity to engrave on; wood, glass, metal, ceramic and leather. It is through these engraved products that Ina Lebe aims to preserve, embrace and promote pride in African arts and culture. The enterprise is incubated at the LEA Pilane Multi Purpose Incubator and recently opened a

store at the Airport Junction Mall in an effort to expand its footprint. LEA congratulates Ina Lebe on their new venture.

Y our Family Dentist Dental Clinic is a wholly citizen owned business that started operations in 2014 under the directorship of Dr. Pogiso Letswere. The dental clinic offers the following services; complete examinations, oral surgery, fillings, tooth replacement, cleaning & polishing, extractions, root canals, cleanings, crowns, teeth whitening, bridges, partials, enamel bonding,

dentures, and sealants treatments. The Dental Clinic was assisted by LEA to acquire funds for expansion and acquisition of dental equipment for the main clinic in Ghanzi. Upon expansion of the business, the Clinic was able to introduce additional medical services such as dental implants, root canal treatments and smile enhancements. Dr. Letswere was also able to open an outreach clinic in Charleshill and LEA continues to provide advisory services, business coaching and monitoring to further grow his business.

LEA GHANZI CLIENT EXPANDS TO CHARLESHILL

Dr. Pogiso Letswere, owner of Your Family

Dental Clinic Your Family Dental Clinic Team

Dental equipment procured for the new Dental Clinic Your Family Dental Clinic premises

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Issue 24| Vol.15| November 2016

I n order to improve, diversify and expand the current training services at the Glen Valley Horticulture Incubator, Open Field vegetable production has been introduced. The Incubatees are being trained to produce lettuce and broccoli in addition to tomato.

T he Kutla Incubation Centre conducted the Wire Nail manufacturing training. In addition to the practical training, the eleven (11) trainees were offered Business Management training and Cluster Awareness Workshop to prepare them to operate upon graduation from the incubator.

THE LEA GLEN VALLEY INCUBATOR EXPANDS TRAINING SERVICES

KUTLA INCUBATION CENTRE CONDUCTS NAIL MANUFACTURING TRAINING

Incubatees learning how to produce wire nails

Incubatees preparing seedlings and the irrigation system to transplant the crop onto the open field

Wire nails produced during the training Trainees ready to start own businesses

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Issue 24| Vol.15| November 2016

G aborone Branch staff members handed over food and toiletry hampers to Tsholofelong Youth

Trust. The Youth Trust is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) based in Old Naledi, with a

focus on serving orphans, vulnerable children and youth. The services that the Trust offer include

mentorship, after school programmes, feeding programmes and community outreach. These are

geared towards bringing hope, care, guidance and support to the disadvantaged members of the

society.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY; NOURISHING OUR COMMUNITY

LEA EMPOWERS THE POVERTY ERADICATION BENEFICIARIES

T he Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) as part of its capacity building intervention, conducted a two day training on Record Keeping and Business Management for beneficiaries of the Poverty Eradication Unit. The training was conducted in an effort to encourage entrepreneurs to keep records which can help to determine their business performance. The beneficiaries were also trained

on business management principles which covered Sales, Purchases and Operating expenses.

Chobe District Commissioner, Mrs. Makgosa

motivating the beneficiaries

Chobe Poverty Eradication Coordinator Mrs. Bontle

Mmokele directing the proceedings of the workshop LEA Business Advisor, Mr. Tannyboy Matebesi

conducting the training on Business Management

Beneficiaries discussing Poultry -Layers

project they wish to start operating

Group Discussions on Records Keeping.

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THE LEA VALUES

Our Vision To be the centre of excellence for entrepreneurship and sustainable SMME development in Botswana.

Our Mission

To promote and facilitate entrepreneurship and SMME development through targeted interventions

in pursuit of economic diversification.

Our Value Proposition “Empowering the entrepreneur to start and grow

their business.”

LEA Values: Transformational Leadership We are inspired and self-led, motivated, innovative and accountable to achieve maximum potential in a favourable work environment. Self-Driven We are passionate, eager to learn, persistent and determined to achieve personal goals so that the entire team achieves its desired results. Partnership Through our internal teamwork and effective partnership with stakeholders, our efforts are synergized resulting in the success of our clientele. Entrepreneurial

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Website: www.lea.co.bw

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@Local Enterprise Authority BW

Toll-free No: 0800 155 155

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Email: botsalea@lea.co.bw

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