Tshipidi grooms 20 businesses for listings ecosystem
Pauline Dikuelo | Tuesday September 27, 2022 13:23
The companies are from a wide range of sectors that include pharmaceutical services, manufacturing, retail, ICT, energy, agriculture, logistics, construction, and financial services, to mention but a few.
BSE CEO Thapelo Tsheole said they introduced the programme as a way of grooming companies that could potentially raise capital, improve governance, and leverage from the BSE as a springboard for growth.
“This training is offered by industry experts, advisors in the listings ecosystem with regards to key elements of corporatisation, capital structure, financial reporting, commercial law, listing requirements, and corporate governance,” he said. The programme which was incepted in 2019 is dedicated to companies who are still in the early growth stage or have no operational history and may not meet the minimum criteria of the Venture Capital Market Board and Main Board. These include start-ups and 'infant' companies.
Speaking at the graduation, BSE Board member Charles Tibone said there is growing emphasis on the need to diversify the range of financing options that are available to SMEs, and consequently the potential role of capital markets in SME financing. “Avenues like the stock exchange have not been fully utilised as there remains an opportunity for access to equity market finance,” he said.
Tshipidi Mentorship Programme is conducted over three months, with each month allocated a single day of facilitation. For enrolment, BSE requires a comprehensive company profile, certificate of incorporation, and a motivating letter. Each submission is assessed by the team and feedback is relayed within a stipulated period before the first Session of the Programme.
The BSE not only mentored these companies as they have partnered with institutions like Rand Merchant Bank, Botswana Accountancy Oversight Authority, KPMG, Desai Law Group, Imara Capital Securities, Inkunzi Investments, African Alliance, Vunani Fund Managers, and Ipro Botswana to deliver this year’s programme.
Previously, Grant Thornton, Mazars, Deloitte & Touche, Armstrongs Attorneys, Allan Gray Botswana, Morula Capital, and Kgori Capital were part of the programme. To date, BSE has hosted a total of 47 companies. In 2019, we had 16 companies, while in 2021, we had 11.