Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) has planned interventions, including entrepreneurship workshops, mobilising communities around social enterprises, and leveraging Rural Development Council (RDC) projects to create meaningful impact on the citizens, Caretaker Chief Executive Officer, Thato Jensen has said.
Speaking during a dialogue with the Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, Jensen emphasised the need to strengthen partnerships and collaboration to advance sustainable development and noted that LEA will continue exploring opportunities to mobilise resources and enhance partnerships.
According to the CEO the purpose of the visit was to discuss areas of collaboration aimed at advancing community and social enterprises following the completion of LEA's 2026–2029 Strategy.
He reaffirmed LEA’s commitment to supporting economic diversification through Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) and the informal sector.
Addressing challenges facing SMMEs and the informal sector, Jensen identified limited market access as a major constraint. He told the minister that inadequate market opportunities often discourage potential funders from investing in enterprises.
To address this, he said LEA intends to facilitate market access through local authorities, essentially reducing risk for SMMEs and making them more attractive to investors and financiers.
According to Jensen they have found it fit to engage with the local government ministry since it is the one that is close SMMEs and informal sector operators who are also critical stakeholders to the Authority.
He also pointed out that that LEA is developing an Infrastructure Fund for the informal and SMME sectors to address productivity challenges. He explained that the initiative is envisioned as a sustainable revolving fund.
He also highlighted the House of Vendor Empowerment Cooperative initiative, which seeks to mobilise at least 200 informal sector and micro-enterprises across Botswana’s 31 districts and establish structured supply and value chains, including warehousing, transport and logistics services, subject to funding approval.
Motshegwa expressed appreciation for LEA’s continued commitment to national development and its partnership with government through Local Authorities. He underscored the Ministry’s mandate of developing and implementing policies and programmes that support local government and rural development.
The Minister noted that government continues to champion initiatives aimed at improving sustainable livelihoods, particularly for communities that are often difficult to reach.
Speaking during a dialogue with the Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, Jensen emphasised the need to strengthen partnerships and collaboration to advance sustainable development and noted that LEA will continue exploring opportunities to mobilise resources and enhance partnerships.
According to the CEO the purpose of the visit was to discuss areas of collaboration aimed at advancing community and social enterprises following the completion of LEA's 2026–2029 Strategy.
He reaffirmed LEA’s commitment to supporting economic diversification through Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) and the informal sector.
Addressing challenges facing SMMEs and the informal sector, Jensen identified limited market access as a major constraint. He told the minister that inadequate market opportunities often discourage potential funders from investing in enterprises.
To address this, he said LEA intends to facilitate market access through local authorities, essentially reducing risk for SMMEs and making them more attractive to investors and financiers.
According to Jensen they have found it fit to engage with the local government ministry since it is the one that is close SMMEs and informal sector operators who are also critical stakeholders to the Authority.
He also pointed out that that LEA is developing an Infrastructure Fund for the informal and SMME sectors to address productivity challenges. He explained that the initiative is envisioned as a sustainable revolving fund.
He also highlighted the House of Vendor Empowerment Cooperative initiative, which seeks to mobilise at least 200 informal sector and micro-enterprises across Botswana’s 31 districts and establish structured supply and value chains, including warehousing, transport and logistics services, subject to funding approval.
Motshegwa expressed appreciation for LEA’s continued commitment to national development and its partnership with government through Local Authorities. He underscored the Ministry’s mandate of developing and implementing policies and programmes that support local government and rural development.
The Minister noted that government continues to champion initiatives aimed at improving sustainable livelihoods, particularly for communities that are often difficult to reach.
