BSE Celebrates 2024 Tshipidi Mentorship program graduates
Otlarongwa Kgweetsi | Friday October 11, 2024 14:00
The 2024 cohort was made up of companies from a wide range of sectors, from financial services, tourism, agriculture, energy, retail, to medical services. This diversity highlights the growing awareness amongst businesses of the benefits that come with being listed on the BSE. When speaking at the graduation ceremony on Thursday, BSE board member, Lekono Phiri, praised the hard work of the 2024 cohort and the programme facilitators, emphasising the importance of “continued education for businesses that aspire to grow.” Phiri also highlighted that the TMP remains a vital part of the BSE’s broader strategy to position itself as a leading securities exchange in the region. Equally with each graduating class, the programme helps strengthen Botswana’s business landscape by encouraging more local companies to consider the advantages of listing, thus paving the way for sustained economic development. “This year’s graduation ceremony underscored the importance of nurturing local talent and fostering a business environment where growth and innovation are encouraged.
The BSE continues to champion initiatives like the TMP, which play an instrumental role in shaping the future of Botswana’s capital markets,” Phiri said. One of the highlights of the graduation event came from BBS Bank Managing Director, Pedzani Tafa, who shared how her company benefited from the programme. Tafa said the programme provided her company with a deeper understanding of the requirements and processes involved in listing on the BSE. “The knowledge gained through the TMP had not only prepared us for listing, but had also enriched our corporate strategy by fostering better governance practices.” For his part, the acting BSE CEO, Kopano Bolokwe, stressed the role TMP continues to play in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) in Botswana, offering them a pathway to growth and sustainability. He reiterated that the BSE is committed to fostering an environment that encourages business expansion through listing, thus contributing to the broader development of the country’s economy. The 2024 TMP graduation marked a culmination of a dedicated journey aimed at educating and preparing local businesses for listing on the BSE, a critical step for businesses seeking to expand by accessing capital markets. The TMP is one of the key initiatives led by the BSE, aimed at providing business owners with crucial insights into corporatisation, governance and capital structures. These are vital elements in the journey to listing, helping businesses navigate complex processes and ultimately giving them the tools they need to grow and access a wider pool of capital and investors. Since its inception, the TMP has played a pivotal role in helping local businesses understand the value proposition of listing on the stock exchange.
Through the TMP, companies are exposed to invaluable lessons in corporate governance, financial management, and understanding capital structures key components that are necessary to attract investors and secure long-term growth. During this year’s cohort ceremony, the BSE also took the opportunity to extend its gratitude to the various facilitators who had worked with the 2024 cohort. Key contributors to the programme included Sefalana Holding Company Limited, ABSA Securities Botswana Proprietary Limited, Botswana Accountancy Oversight Authority, Mazars, Collins Newman & Co., Imara Capital Securities, Kgori Capital, IPro Botswana and Allan Gray Botswana. These stakeholders played a crucial role in delivering expertise in areas such as corporate governance, financial management, and capital structures, providing participants with the practical knowledge needed to succeed.