BITC Dialogue Bridges Retailers and Local SMMEs in Drive for Greater Market Access

BITC Dialogue Bridges Retailers and Local SMMEs in Drive for Greater Market Access. In a significant move to strengthen Botswana’s local value chains, the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) convened a stakeholder engagement session as part of its national roadshow. The session brought together retailers, hotel representatives, distributors, local producers, and service providers for a candid discussion aimed at enhancing collaboration and increasing local sourcing.

Facilitated by Ms. Kutlo Moagi, Executive Director – Brand Management at BITC, the forum focused on identifying barriers to product listing, clarifying procurement requirements, and finding actionable solutions to help local small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) meet industry standards.

The dialogue offered entrepreneurs an opportunity to directly engage with large-scale buyers, ask questions, and gain insights into what it takes to get products onto retail and hospitality shelves. Discussions ranged from packaging and labelling requirements to supply consistency, pricing, and customer service standards.

Participants welcomed the open format, noting that it demystified many of the challenges small businesses face when trying to enter formal retail and hospitality supply chains.

BITC reaffirmed its commitment to creating strategic linkages between SMMEs and market leaders, highlighting initiatives that aim to build capacity and boost competitiveness across sectors.

For Botswana’s entrepreneurs, the session underscored the importance of readiness and relationship-building in scaling up. As the roadshow continues, similar engagements are expected to empower more local businesses to seize economic opportunities.