14 Jun 2020

In an effort to be more than just a bank, but a partner of growth, Stanbic Bank Botswana has thrown its weight behind a new youth venture by Ngwana Africa, called Connecting the City Challenge.

Speaking at the virtual event, Stanbic Bank Botswana Chief Executive Officer, Mr Samuel Minta said Connecting the City Challenge is a digital pitch competition and joint venture between Ngwana Africa and Botswana Innovation Hub.

Stanbic bank will support the organisers at a tune of P30 000 for the competition and also offer mentorship and coaching to the winners.

 He said a number of youth businesses will duel in a day long webinar that seeks to source innovative solutions for the City of Francistown.

“The purpose of this noble initiative is to attract innovators from the City of Francistown and surrounding areas to submit cutting edge solutions that will enhance the quality of life for the residents of Francistown,” he said.

 Mr Minta said Stanbic Bank Botswana strongly believed that the youth were the future, hence, it must invest in and work with them to create an ecosystem that moves youth unemployment to a single digit number.

He further explained that the initiative was another demonstration of the bank’s commitment to driving Botswana’s growth and empowering the youth to turn their dreams into reality.”

The virtual pitch competition was attended by amongst others; Mr Goitsemang Majaha, Director of Francistown College of Programming as well as Mr Bertil Van Vugt, Business Development Lead at VC4A.

“Youth businesses are a big part of job creation and solving the youth employability and entrepreneurship agenda. 

Thus, our support of this initiative speaks directly to our dedication towards helping ensure future youth employment. We are interested in helping transform ideas into realities, into living, thriving businesses,” said Mr Minta. 

ENDS