RMB implores companies to seize opportunities at the ongoing US-Africa summit
First National Bank Botswana’s corporate investment banking division, Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) is participating at the ongoing United States-Africa Business Summit which official kicked off on Tuesday and ends this Friday.
The four-day summit, which is attended by, among others, several African Heads of States, including Botswana’s own, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi ‘aims to provide a platform to connect Government and the private sector decision makers who are advancing the U.S – Africa trade, investment, and business relationships’
RMB, which among others provide financing solutions to sectors such as mining and energy, has implored Batswana (Botswana-based companies) to maximise the benefits of the summit ‘since it has the potential to stimulate substantial growth and attract significant investment to Botswana and the Southern African region at large”.
Meanwhile, FNB Botswana Chief Executive Officer, Steven Bogatsu will today (Wednesday,12 July) participates in a high level dialogue under the theme: Enhancing Africa’s Value in Manufacturing Value Chains speaking to ‘The difficulties of financing in Africa, how it affects the manufacturing value chain and what FNBB is doing about it as a financial institution’. On the stage, Bogatsu will be joined by other business leaders such as Farouk Gumel (Director, TGI group), Gregory Poole (Special Advisor, Children’s Place), Alicia Eggington (CEO, Vice President and General Manager, South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia) among others.
Bogatsu, himself a Certified Chartered Accountant, earlier this week disclosed that he eagerly anticipates the US-Africa summit and foresees significant advancements in value chain development, particularly in agriculture, green growth in the mining and manufacturing sectors. 'The summit's agenda and speakers indicate a strong emphasis on these areas, aligning with the global pursuit of a just climate transition and the net-zero agenda. We expect these topics to dominate the discussions and contribute to sustainable economic progress,” said Bogatsu, who heads the biggest bank in the country.
The FNB Botswana Chief Executive Officer also highlighted that ‘these are exciting times for Botswana and Africa, and that in addition to the value chain development theme, the Bank anticipates a strong focus on sustainability, green growth, and a just climate transition in Africa’
The RMB Director, Kampupe Kaunda, has also expressed high expectations for the summit, stating, 'We believe this Summit will position us on the global stage, capturing the attention of US businesses interested in Botswana, the SADC region, and the African continent. With the physical presence of summit attendees in Botswana, we anticipate bridging the awareness gap regarding Botswana's remarkable story and past achievements, paving the way for compelling conversations that facilitate trade, job creation, and economic growth.'
RMB which is major player in the African market, officially started operations in the United States-the world’s biggest economy, through its RMB Securities business in May 2022. It license, to operate the RMB office in New York City, was received on in February 2023. RMB Botswana is a silver sponsor of the US- Africa Business Summit, ‘an event which promises to be a remarkable opportunity for Botswana to foster international connections and propel its economic grow’