Tokafala Looks To Grow Bigger
Isaac Pinielo | Monday May 8, 2017 15:43
“Module one of Tokafala was successfully implemented, delivering to targets. Focus must now be on transformation and catalysing Vision 2036,” he said.
Wiggins added that Tokafala has created significant client impact, providing broad access of opportunity across a diverse set of small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) and leveraging key strategic partnerships.
Since inception, he said, the programme enrolled 267 enterprises, creating 284 jobs and supporting 15,232 and growing client revenues by 39% or P49 million. He noted that 32% of beneficiary enterprises are youth-owned, 31% female-owned and 13% co-owned, while 30% are from outside Gaborone.
Wiggins said the programme is diversified across all sectors, besides primary agriculture and has accessed P11.8 million in finance working with government lenders and commercial banks. In addition, he said Tokafala has enrolled 12 new mentees, each receiving targeted one-on-one mentorship support.
“In March Tokafala launched its four-month advisory workshops in both Gaborone and Francistown with 57 new participants across the two workshops,” he said.
He noted that beneficiaries come from a range of sectors, such as information and communication technology (ICT), services, consumer goods, manufacturing, supply and distribution as well as hospitality.
Wiggins also indicated that 41% of these beneficiaries are female enterprise-owners. He said looking forward, Tokafala will be working with partners to implement a strategy that supports delivery of Vision 2036, with a focus on youth and innovation to allow inclusion, foster competitiveness and increase productivity.
The Tokafala business skills advisory programme, which aims to promote economic development and employment creation through Small Macro Medium Enterprises (SMME) support, was started on January 1, 2014 under a three-year contract to December 31, 2016.
It is a partnership between the Botswana government, Anglo American, De Beers and Debswana. Late last year, Wiggins said the programme surpassed expectations in the three years of operation, which led the donors to extend it.
He had noted that based on its success, the donors decided that the programme should continue to be carried out for more years to be aligned with the national Vision 2036. He also indicated that the programme has exceeded its target as it saw a revenue growth of about 260% in the businesses benefitted.