25 Aug 2026

A  P250 million partnership between the Selebi-Phikwe Economic Diversification Unit (SPEDU) and Ticano Group (Pty) Ltd is expected to improve access to working capital and supply chain financing for businesses in the SPEDU region.

The partnership was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Friday and is aimed at addressing some of the critical challenges businesses face in accessing finance.

Ticano Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Opelo Motswakae, said the partnership would improve access to working capital and supply chain finance while strengthening supplier development, investment readiness and market access.

He said eligible businesses would undergo an assessment to determine their suitability for various financing solutions, including purchase order finance, invoice discounting, contract finance, asset finance and other working capital facilities.

Mr Motswakae said the initiative would place particular emphasis on supporting citizen-owned, women-owned and disability-owned businesses.

He said opportunities would target sectors such as manufacturing, agribusiness, tourism, mining services and the broader green economy, among others.“This partnership represents a strategic collaboration aimed at fostering sustainable growth within the community. It will not only serve as a crucial initiative to encourage economic diversification, allowing for a broader range of industries and opportunities, but it will also play a vital role in enhancing business resilience in the region,” he said.

Mr Motswakae said collaborative initiatives such as the partnership could effectively address business challenges and create a more conducive environment for all stakeholders.

For his part, SPEDU Caretaker Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ronnie Phuthego, highlighted challenges facing the manufacturing sector in the SPEDU region, which is home to more than 150 manufacturing companies.

He said many businesses struggled with inadequate funding during the COVID-19 pandemic, severely affecting their daily operations and threatening their survival.Mr Phuthego said the effects continued to negatively impact businesses as they navigated the post-pandemic environment.He said the partnership with Ticano would therefore provide much-needed resources and support to help local manufacturers recover, strengthen their operations and thrive in the market.

Deputy Mayor of Selebi-Phikwe, Mr Roller Lesedi, described the collaboration between SPEDU and Ticano as a timely development that would help revitalise businesses in the region.

He said local businesses continued to face various challenges that hindered their growth and sustainability.

Mr Lesedi said a considerable number of businesses were experiencing financial difficulties, which had affected their operations and compromised essential activities.

He expressed hope that the partnership would help businesses overcome these challenges and contribute to a stronger and more resilient regional economy. ends