Through the Supplier Development Programme (SDP), a hundred participants in Jwaneng and Orapa have already benefited from advisory training and mentorship. This initiative has catapulted beneficiaries into supply contracts with Debswana, enabling them to secure PPE production capacity expansion through an initial P4 million financial grant. The SDP’s multifaceted goals encompass enhancing suppliers’ productive capacity, boosting competitiveness, and establishing connections with structured markets, locally and abroad.
Through buyer-seller seminars, the programme has already allocated over P266 million in markets to Tokafala enterprises and generated 330 new jobs, with participant revenue increasing by 27 percent. A flagship project within this collaboration, the Textile Accelerator Program, provides business management and technical skills to 34 SMMEs in the textile sector, facilitating PPE certification for local and international markets, including a pioneering three-year collaboration to supply locally manufactured PPE to Debswana.
Furthermore, 36 textile businesses have been trained on quality management in line with the BOS 822:2019 General Protective Clothing standard, leading to the implementation of quality management procedures and the approval of the PPE samples. The SDP’s success is rooted in robust stakeholder collaboration with organizations promoting SMME growth, bridging business acumen, financial access, and visibility for local businesses.
Looking forward, the program aims to enhance its delivery modalities, adapt to technological advancements, and digitize content for flexible learning. As market trends evolve, relevant modules like e-commerce will be integrated. Additionally, the cluster model, proven successful in the textile sector, will be extended to other industries such as agro-processing to fortify the Supplier Development Program’s impact. This collaboration has engendered a transformative environment, fostering local enterprise development, skill acquisition, and market access. It sets the stage for sustained growth and a vibrant economic landscape, aligning with principles of sustainability and inclusive development.
Also Read: De Beers Botswana Hosts Girleng Workshop: Empowering 100 Junior School Girls for a Future in STEM
