08 May 2022

Ticano Group Company prides itself in having created an enabling environment for more than 4 000 small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) across the country by closing gaps that makes it difficult for them to strive.

The company, which started operations in 2017, assists SMEs struggling to access capital to pay suppliers upfront for verified purchase orders.

“Our aim is to develop and grow businesses so that they create more employment opportunities for others and grow the local economy. We also believe in effective and speedy service delivery as we care much about the end-user,” the company’s executive director and founder, Mr Opelo Motswagae said during a two-way dialogue session in Maun recently.

He said the company,  with four branches in Maun, Gaborone, Palapye and Francistown, had become a champion for purchase order financing and invoice discounting in the country through easy financial assistance for an ordinary Motswana business owner.

He said most Batswana especially in rural areas were struggling to access financial institutions hence the company’s focus on providing financial solutions that could help SMEs grow their businesses and subsequently enjoy more contracts from procurement entities. 

Mr Motswagae said to date, P350 million had been used to assist businesses, noting that from the Ngamiland district, over P20 million was injected into 205 entities since 2020 when the company opened its doors in the tourism village.

He said besides financing, they went an extra mile to help their clients with logistics, securing of suppliers and ensuring that they got quality products while awaiting for purchasing paper work. 

He acknowledged a smooth working relationships with government departments and parastatals who had welcomed the company’s good business model. 

“We are happy that some businesses have grown as government and parastatals continue to offer them contracts,” he said. Mr Motswagae also pointed out that his company had aligned itself to government Reset Agenda in terms of developing small businesses and empowering youth and women. 

Regarding future plans, he said his company aimed at becoming a number one financial institution with footprints in the African market. Some clients who benefited from the company praised it for being responsive to their needs.

 The director of Guest King in Gumare village, Mr Samuel Kgaswane said his business was thriving because of Ticano’s  assistance and wished the company could grow to help more Batswana.

Another client, Ms Malebogo Tshiamiso of Thamalakane Fisheries thanked Ticano for being instrumental in meeting her financial needs.

She was happy that the company took care of all logistics to the end, which she said helped to boost her company’s reputation and enabled her to get more contracts.

The session which attracted the company’s clients, employees and other stakeholders was an opportunity to network and share feedback. ends