If she had to bet with her final Pulas, Botswana’s first Lady – Neo Masisi will do that on Batswana women entrepreneurs.
This came into light last week when the first lady officiated at the Lioness Business Breakfast Meeting, co-hosted by Stanbic Bank Botswana in the capital Gaborone.
First Lady Masisi said she believes women entrepreneurs can bring about change in the new economic development of Botswana and the rest of the African continent.
“I believe women entrepreneurs hold such incredible potential and credentials on the continent because firstly, Africa has the highest percentage of women entrepreneurs in the world-around 26 percent of them are in business.”
First Lady Masisi made a highlight on projections relating to the much needed jobs which should be created over the next decade; and these jobs, she said will be created largely through small business which are mostly run by women.
“We believe women entrepreneurs are, in fact, a powerful solution for addressing inequality on the continent. Look no further than our homes, whatever a woman brings home, she will share it and plough it back in to better the livelihood of her family, and in our scenario the larger extended family will also benefit,” she said.
Adding that it is proven fact that for many generations, women understand the simple concept of barter and commerce. As the role models of the past and the present, they will continue to inspire new generations to do more for business to grow.
Meanwhile the Head Personal Markets of Stanbic Bank, Omphemetse Dube said, “We are passionate about this partnership, which seeks to recognise and bring together women entrepreneurs in our community and help nurture their growth further.”
Dube added that Botswana is blessed with a number of thriving female entrepreneurs, and the potential for the next generation of talent is strong and platforms such as this are therefore paramount in growing the cause and as a bank are proud to help champion that movement further.
Yet the founder and Chief Executive Officer of lionesses Africa, Melanie Hawken said, “It is so good to be back in Gaborone, a growing and exciting centre for women’s entrepreneurship in Africa. Our Lioness lean in breakfast event for women entrepreneurs in the country give them the opportunity to hear the inspiring entrepreneurial stories of women who are building great businesses here.”
Hawken says it also offers an excellent opportunity for networking with speakers and participants who all share a passion for advancing women entrepreneurs and the chance to ask questions and get advice that can help take women entrepreneurs to the next level in the country.
Finally she said, “It as well provides the opportunity for Lionesses of Africa to announce all the new and exciting initiatives that are on offer to Botswana’s women entrepreneurs, all aimed at helping them to take their businesses to the next level.”
