Selebi-Phikwe Entrepreneurs Encouraged to Build Globally Competitive Local Brands at Dikgwebo Dialogues

Selebi-Phikwe Entrepreneurs Encouraged to Build Globally Competitive Local Brands at Dikgwebo Dialogues. The Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) joined local entrepreneurs in Selebi-Phikwe on 8 June 2025 for an engaging session of the “Dikgwebo Dialogues,” a business empowerment initiative led by the Botswana Digital & Innovation Hub (BDIH) in collaboration with UNICEF.

The session, hosted to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Selebi-Phikwe, focused on linking small businesses with national support institutions. Participating organizations included BITC, CEDA, LEA, and Tokafala, all of which shared insight into how entrepreneurs can access business development services, funding, and mentorship opportunities.

Representing BITC was Mr. Gaorekwe Gaorekwe, Director of Business Services for the Northern Region, who shared the Centre’s mandate, achievements, and the challenges faced since its formation. He emphasized the need for local entrepreneurs to align their business ideas with scalable models that support Botswana’s development goals.

A major highlight of Mr. Gaorekwe’s presentation was the Botswana Export Development Programme (BEDP), the upcoming Global Expo Pula Investment Conference, and the #PushaBW campaign. He encouraged entrepreneurs to tap into these initiatives, noting that such platforms offer exposure to both domestic and international markets.

Speaking directly to the local business community, Mr. Gaorekwe urged entrepreneurs to build businesses rooted in Botswana’s unique identity, saying, “Batswana need to ensure they manufacture products that have an essence of identity, which in turn makes them distinguishable against many other products on the market.”

He closed by challenging consumers to consciously support local products and services, reinforcing that national economic growth depends on a collective effort to choose and champion Botswana-made offerings.