BHC and LEA Host Joint Engagement to Strengthen SMME Participation

BHC and LEA Host Joint Engagement to Strengthen SMME Participation. The Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) and the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) have partnered to host a day-long engagement designed to connect small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) directly with opportunities within the construction sector.

The collaborative session focused on creating a platform where local suppliers could interact with BHC while gaining insight into procurement expectations and supplier readiness. The aim was to support more informed participation by SMMEs in the construction value chain.

Opening the engagement, LEA Head of Market Access Ms Shatho Orapeleng pointed to ongoing challenges within the industry. She noted that one of the persistent issues facing the local construction sector is the lack of consistent procurement opportunities, despite the presence of locally produced goods and services.

The event highlighted BHC’s stated commitment to local procurement. According to information shared during the session, the corporation has actively sourced goods and services from local manufacturers and suppliers. These efforts were reported to have contributed to the creation of more than 4,000 jobs during the past financial year.

Participants were given the opportunity to better understand how to position themselves to meet procurement requirements and improve their readiness to compete for tenders. The engagement served as both an information-sharing platform and a networking opportunity between the housing corporation and local enterprises.

Thebeetsile Nkhutelang, a Market Analyst at BHC, encouraged continued dialogue between local producers and the corporation. He indicated that suppliers still have room to engage with BHC on how they can be supported to strengthen their capacity for tender participation.

By bringing SMMEs and a major public sector housing developer into the same space, the joint initiative aimed to improve communication, clarify expectations and strengthen the role of local enterprises within the construction supply chain.