Regional Exhibition Marks New Momentum for Women Entrepreneurs in Botswana

Regional Exhibition Marks New Momentum for Women Entrepreneurs in Botswana. Women-owned micro-enterprises from Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa came together in Gaborone for the EntreprenHER South-South Joint Exhibition, an event dedicated to commemorating Women’s Entrepreneurship Day and strengthening collaboration among regional entrepreneurs. The exhibition was attended by the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Wenyan Yang, who joined participants in showcasing the growing influence of women-led businesses across Southern Africa.

Supported by De Beers Group, the event created a platform for women entrepreneurs to display their products, exchange market insights, and build networks that support cross-border business growth. For Botswana’s entrepreneurial community, the exhibition highlighted the expanding opportunities available through regional cooperation and private-sector partnerships.

One of the most notable moments of the day was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Mentorship Youth Gender and Advocacy (MYGA) organisation and Stanbic Bank Botswana. The agreement formalises a partnership focused on improving financial access and business development support for women-owned enterprises in the country.

As part of the partnership, Stanbic Bank Botswana will disburse small grants to 200 EntreprenHER participants in 2026, providing a much-needed boost for micro-enterprises aiming to scale. For local entrepreneurs, this commitment signals increased opportunities for funding, training, and mentorship, all crucial for long-term business sustainability.

The exhibition also reinforced the importance of empowering women-led businesses as a driver of economic inclusion. With women increasingly contributing to Botswana’s retail, services, agriculture, and creative sectors, platforms like EntreprenHER help expand market visibility and strengthen business linkages across borders.

For Botswana’s business community, the event offered a clear message: collaboration between development partners, corporates, and grassroots enterprises is opening new pathways for women entrepreneurs to grow, formalise, and compete at a regional level.