19 Jun 2025

Accreditation can help accelerate growth in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), leading to not just the success of these enterprises but the overall national economic growth.

This was said by the Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Mr Tiroyaone Ntsima at the World Accreditation Day Commemoration in Serowe yesterday.

Mr Ntsima said the primary purpose of the commemoration was to encourage the active involvement of SMEs in economic development, innovation, and employment generation. 

Additionally, he highlighted that SMEs constituted the bulk of entrepreneurs in contrast to large-scale entrepreneurs, demonstrating their crucial role in the country's economy and markets.

He emphasised that based on Statistics Botswana’s report; in 2022, SMEs accounted for 20 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product.

He noted that despite their significant role in the workforce, SMEs encountered obstacles like limited market access, failure to comply with certification and competitive difficulties stemming from not fulfilling the standards required to compete nationally and internationally. 

He said accreditation could address this issue, noting that by obtaining accreditation, SMEs could boost their credibility and trust, resulting in an increased client base and a reputation for reliability and quality. 

Accreditation will also provide access to markets, facilitating entry into the global arena (international markets) and fostering innovation to produce competitive products, benefiting not only local buyers but also consumers worldwide, he said.

Mr Ntsima said his ministry aimed to foster entrepreneurship development and sustainability, stating that the National Accreditation Focal Point was established to advocate for the advantages of accreditation by educating entrepreneurs on the benefits of accreditation and to market and coordinate Southern African Development Community Accreditation Services (SADCAS) operations in Botswana.

He encouraged business owners to adhere to the regulations applicable to them, to validate their services and to take advantage of opportunities like this one, where various stakeholders unite under one roof not just to network but to acquire knowledge and create solutions for rapid business expansion.

SADCAS CEO Ms Eve Gadzikwa said accreditation was an essential instrument that allowed SMEs to achieve sustainable growth and innovation by instilling confidence and ensuring competence.

 “It is undeniable that small and medium-sized enterprises play a vital role in generating employment in local economies and in fostering global economic growth”, she said.

 She further said SMEs played a crucial role in realising the UN Sustainable Development Goals 8 and 9, aimed at fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth, decent employment for everyone, resilient infrastructure, sustainable industrialisation and innovation.

Ms Gadzikwa noted that Botswana, being a member of SADCAS, gained advantages from accreditation certificates granted by SADCAS, a globally recognised organisation that enhanced access to international markets.

Furthermore, she encouraged companies to familiarise themselves with SADCAS and its accreditation advantages to enhance their businesses.

For his part , Kgosi Seretse Peter Khama remarked that the  event allowed business owners to build connections and gain direct insights from key industry players.

“May everyone here gather insights from this seminar, ask questions, interact, and go back to refine your skills and professions; it’s not solely for your gain, it will also enhance our nation as a whole,” he stated. ENDS