03 Mar 2024

Minister of Entrepreneurship, Mr Karabo Gare has undertaken an official visit to the US, Washington DC, from February 29 to March 10 to attend the African Confederation of Cooperative Savings and Credit Association (ACCOSCA).

A press release from the ministry says Minister Gare’s participation came at the invitation of America’s Credit Unions (ACUs) and ACCOSCA, which co-organised the conference.

From Africa, Botswana, Kenya and Uganda are amongst the invited countries. 

The invitation, according to the release, is in part, spurred by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s commitment and strategic intent to employ the cooperative sector as a lever to economically empower Batswana as pronounced during the cooperatives’ congress held in Botswana in 2023.

Through the participation of Botswana delegation, led by Minister Gare, the release says the conference will give Botswana an opportunity to showcase its achievements and experiences in the cooperative sector and also benchmark against global best practices.

It says ACUs and ACCOSCA have recently established a co-operative partnership in respect of, among other things, advocating for and advancing the best optimum environment for realising the visions and missions of the savings and credit cooperative societies in both the US and Africa.

“It is in the context of this relationship that they have a common goal of helping Botswana to develop her Cooperatives Business Model and beneficiation strategy.” 

This is aimed at enhancing the capacities and resilience of cooperative societies to meaningfully contribute to both local (community) and national development, while simultaneously empowering their individual members to sustain themselves at the household level,” says the release.

The minister, who is expected to return on March 10, is accompanied by permanent secretary in the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and other senior government officials.

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Mabuse Pule will hold forte during the period of Minister Gare’s absence. ENDS