FNB Botswana and PEP Partner to Support Back-to-School Readiness

FNB Botswana and PEP Partner to Support Back-to-School Readiness. FNB Botswana, through the FNB Foundation, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with retail company PEP, formalising a partnership aimed at supporting education readiness for learners across Botswana.

The collaboration marks the launch of Botswana’s first 99 thebe school shoe initiative, a programme intended to help reduce back-to-school pressures for families while ensuring learners have access to essential schoolwear. The initiative focuses on providing affordable school shoes, enabling more children to begin the academic year adequately equipped.

According to the partners, the initiative comes at a time when households face increased financial demands associated with the start of the school year. By offering a low-cost option for a basic school requirement, the partnership seeks to address practical challenges faced by families while supporting learners’ confidence and readiness for school.

FNB Botswana and PEP said the agreement reflects a shared commitment to inclusion and opportunity. Through the MoU, the two organisations will work together to deliver solutions that respond to community needs, with a specific focus on education support and child development.

The partnership also highlights the role of collaboration between the private sector and social development initiatives in creating tangible benefits for communities. By combining resources and expertise, the organisations aim to provide measurable support that contributes to improved learning conditions for children.

The FNB Foundation noted that education remains a key pillar of its community support efforts, with a focus on initiatives that have practical and sustainable impact. PEP, through its involvement, brings retail reach and accessibility to the initiative, making the school shoe offering available to families across the country.

The MoU signals the start of a coordinated effort between the two partners, reinforcing their shared objective of supporting learners and easing the burden on families during the back-to-school period.