23 Jul 2019

Board Member of Stanbic Bank Botswana Ms Jennifer Marinelli, says having the fastest growing network of women entrepreneurs across the African continent is good opportunity for women in business.

She was speaking at the Lioness Lean In breakfast event that was held in Gaborone recently,  Ms  Marinelli said with almost 700,000 women business builders in 49 African countries and the Diaspora, Lionesses of Africa continued to grow at an annual  rate of 20 000 as there were new users joining every month. 

She also said Stanbic Bank Botswana remained committed to helping women in business move forward by providing exposure, information and expertise in order to foster an environment that facilitated their growth and success.

Mrs Marinelli  further said the bank was committed to making tangible changes in line with the United Nations (UN) Women HeForShe initiative, which she said encouraged men to stand alongside women in the global quest for gender equality.

She indicated that according to the 2017 Global Gender Gap Report, it was estimated that it would take 217 years for Botswana achieve gender parity and a Women’s Network Forum had been developed to pursue this further, with a dedicated Diversity and Inclusion which looks to sustainably deliver meaningful progress in this space as key strategic imperative of the bank.

Stanbic Bank believes that women entrepreneurs need to come together to close the gap and work even harder to ensure that gender parity becomes a reality in lifetime, she said

She said this meant joining hands and becoming a formidable force, ensuring that the future generations of women could excel on a level playing field with their male counterparts in an environment that was balanced, as well as based on merit and ability.

This year Lionesses Lean In breakfast series will see a new twist to the much- anticipated event as two sessions will be held, with the first having a greater focus on more seasoned women entrepreneurs and the second comprising of younger, aspiring female entrepreneurs.

Ms Neo Tlhaselo who is the founder of The Business Kraal said an entrepreneur came with challenges as it was always the case for women in business to prove themselves so as to make people to believe in them.

She further said when an individual was not familiar with laws and policies around the business that the person was to venture into, it became a challenge as the laws and policies might be not favourable t which would make the intentions of the business impossible.

Mrs Hlubi Arnold, Lioness Lean In ambassador for Southern Africa said ‘ they are thrilled to be back in Botswana, celebrating the game-changing women who are building great business in the country.’She further said the purpose of the event was to offer invaluable insights and expertise from established women entrepreneurs to aspiring younger female entrepreneurs. 

The young entrepreneurs are expected to learn the tricks and trades of running a business. ENDS