09 Dec 2021

Informal sector have been implored to take their businesses seriously as they have potential to turn into profitable entities.

 Speaking at the Local Economic Development (LED) Framework training on December 8, Chobe council chairperson, Mr Amos Mabuku said retailers should have the zeal to grow their small businesses to the next level.

He said that in most countries around the world, millionaires developed from businesses in the informal sector.

“As a business person your aim should be to grow and not to be permanently small,” he said.

Councillor Mabuku however urged the retailers to utilise existing CEDA and LEA programmes in order to attain financial freedom for their businesses.

“The government has availed human resource in different departments and it is upon you to visit those offices for assistance and advice that will contribute towards the growing of your businesses,” he said.

Botswana Informal Sector Association (BOISA) chairperson, Mr Thatayaone Ramasu commended government for recognizing the contribution of the informal sector in the economy.

Mr Ramasu encouraged entrepreneurs to join BOISA so that they speak in one voice across the country. He said working in unison could help them stand a better chance to get funding from institutions such as CEDA, banks and insurance companies.

Mr Ramasu further pleaded with small retailers to keep books in order and do banking, further explaining that those processes coukld help them stand better chances for funding.

Botswana Association of Local Authorities (BALA) programmes officer, Ms Mpho Mfosi reiterated that the economy of any country was dependable on the informal sector and it was imperative to speak in one voice for growth.

She said groups such as BOISA were important in representing the voices of the informal sector, particularly during the period of COVID-19.

Ms Eunice Manewe who does catering noted that it was important for all the businesses to have agents to help market them.

 Ms Manewe noted that by having agents they would be empowering other people, adding that in Zambia small businesses create employment that way.

Ms Kereng Kachele decried that after the COVID-19 lockdowns most small businesses had to start from scratch. She encouraged members of the informal sector to join Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOS) in order to save and have opportunity to borrow money to boast their businesses.

The LED Framework training was organised by the Chobe District Council and BALA. ENDS