28 Apr 2014

Local entrepreneurs have been urged to explore  international business opportunities through business networking for business growth.

A researcher from the University of Cape Town in South Africa, Mr Roche Mamabolo said business opportunities were available in the world, which the local entrepreneurs could penetrate and tap into and improve their businesses.

Speaking during an Open Pitch Entrepreneurship seminar organised by Ngwana Enterprise Company to share ideas, knowledge and information on available business opportunities, Mr Mamabolo said tapping into such opportunities could help local entrepreneurs as they could build mutually beneficial relationships internationally.

He also advised them to establish contacts with international investors through their embassies. “You should think outside the box and do things in a professional manner so that you can make more revenue outside your country,” he said

Mr Mamabolo said a survey on entrepreneurship activity has indicated that Botswana and South Africa were lagging behind in starting businesses while the business closure rate is high. The challenges indicated were lack of skills and experience, access to finances and corruption, he added.

He said eighty per cent of South Africa’s business revenue comes from outside, adding that some of the country’s artists have penetrated the international market thus bringing revenue to the country.

Mr Mamabolo urged them to start business networking and invest internationally taking into consideration the country’s relatively small market base.

He noted that if things go well in 2050, Africa would be the third biggest economy in the world with China being the first.

He said local entrepreneurs play a vital role in any country’s economy hence the need to start empowering them so that they could make business ideas a reality.

Entrepreneurs were also advised about the importance of having a board of directors whose mandate would be to advice and help businesses to grow.

The chief executive officer of Ngwana Enterprise Company, Mr Mooketsi Tekere urged entrepreneurs to network adding that through networking they would be able to share ideas and benchmark with other entrepreneurs.

Mr Tekere said entrepreneurs seize opportunities, create own destinies, define own future, set the tone and dictate how they want their tomorrow to be like.

Furthermore, he said they see abundance where others see scarcity, adding that competitive entrepreneurs are those who take advantage of programs in place and grow their businesses.

Ngwana Enterprise is a company based in Francistown which specialises in developing solutions for computer classrooms, language laboratory solutions. It works with schools to develop education solutions in terms of information, technology and innovation.

The four year old 100 per cent citizen owned company also works with entrepreneurs to encourage them to recognise digital education in Africa. “We want internet to be a human right and encourage re-use of smart technology,” he said. Ends