24 Feb 2020

Government will contribute P2 765 230.86 towards the upcoming Forbes Under 30 Summit scheduled for April 19-23.

Speaking at a press briefing in Gaborone yesterday, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Ms Peggy Serame said the private sector was expected to make the largest contribution P8 295 749.73  making the total cost of the summit P11 060 906.28.

Minister Serame said the summit was critical in recognising emergent entrepreneurial successes for 200 select individuals in the country.

It will be held in Gaborone and Kasane and is expected to attract around 600 entrepreneurs with an estimated 37 countries.

Of the 600 participants, 200 will be from Botswana, another 200 from across Africa while the remainder will be global and prospecting entrepreneurs.

“The summit will provide networking opportunities for participating individuals as well as business opportunities for tourist centres and small businesses both in the host locations,” she said.

She said the initiative would bring some of the world’s elite entrepreneurs to the country including venture capitalist and business specialists to mould, identify and grow entrepreneurship in the country.

Ms Serame said the country’s artists and culinary specialists would also have the opportunity to present Botswana culture to the rest of the world through the event.

Explaining that participation fees were high, Ms Serame said debentures had been made for the 200 hundred local participants to facilitate their presence in the summit.

She also said all structures were in place needed to facilitate the hosting of the high profile event.
Private sector representative, Ms Pat Dambe said some organisations including Absa and First National Bank had already made pledges towards the Forbes summit.

Ms Dambe said hosting the summit in Botswana was a contribution of concerted efforts by different stakeholders including government to encourage and promote entrepreneurship in the country as well as the creation of employment.

She noted that the event was a first for Africa and that Botswana had beaten formidable host bidders. ENDS