11 Dec 2025

The establishment of a Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) branch in Tutume has been warmly welcomed by clients and the broader business community, as it brings renewed hope and opportunities especially for young people who previously struggled to access services offered in Francistown.

Tutume and its surrounding villages have long been home to hardworking, innovative and ambitious people across sectors such as agriculture, retail and tourism. With the region’s vast economic potential, the opening of the new CEDA office is viewed as a major boost for both Tutume and parts of the North East District. The Nswazwi–Kalakamati bypass road is expected to reduce travel distances for residents seeking CEDA services, eliminating the need to travel to Francistown for essential support.

Speaking during the official opening, Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Mr Tiroeaone Ntsima, said CEDA believed in people’s ideas and was committed to nurturing them into viable businesses. Doing so, he said, would create employment opportunities and strengthen local economic empowerment , key priorities under government’s job-creation agenda.

Mr Ntsima highlighted that since its establishment in 2001, CEDA had remained one of the country’s strongest instruments for citizen economic empowerment, funding thousands of citizen-owned businesses, supporting start-ups, reviving struggling enterprises and creating opportunities for youth and women nationwide.

In the region alone, he revealed that the agency had invested over P150 million in 943 businesses across various sectors, a clear demonstration of its commitment to entrepreneurship and economic development.

He further noted that the opening of the new branch marked a significant milestone in CEDA’s growth, aligning with government’s broader economic diversification drive under the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP), which aimed to reduce reliance on diamonds.

CEDA beneficiary and businessma, Mr Power Monyamane welcomed the development, describing the new office as a breakthrough that would close long-standing gaps caused by limited access to information and services due to distance. He encouraged fellow entrepreneurs to visit the office for accurate, first-hand information rather than relying on hearsay, noting that some aspiring businesspeople hesitated to seek guidance directly.

He advised that passion was key to business success, cautioning against copying others’ projects without genuine interest. Mr Monyamane, who has invested in property development through CEDA support, said he had built office spaces currently housing the Ministry of Finance revenue office. He indicated plans to seek further funding for upcoming projects.

He urged young people to take advantage of the new CEDA office, apply for funding while they were still young, and use the opportunity to build sustainable businesses and long-term careers. ENDS