I am an advocate for a programme that embodies the aspirations of our nation, the Citizen Economic Empowerment Programme (CEEP). This groundbreaking initiative, is a conduit towards fulfilling the nation’s Vision 2036 and facilitating a thriving, stable, and inclusive economy.
The alignment of Debswana’s CEEP with our government’s transformative aspirations is evident. Vision 2036 echoes pillars of sustainable economic growth, governance, and security. Debswana’s initiative is the muscle propelling us towards this vision, empowering our citizens to surge forward in prosperity.
Indubitable, the CEEP enhances the execution of government strategies such as the Economic Diversification Drive (EDD) and supports our goals for industrialisation and import substitution. Botswana’s economic situation, long anchored in diamond mining, seeks diversification. Government programmes have been nurturing the inception of new industries and promoting the entrepreneurial spirit among citizens, primarily through the Policy on Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). Debswana’s CEEP harmonizes with these efforts, propelling our nation into new economic frontiers beyond diamonds.
Debswana’s CEEP is nothing short of revolutionary. Committing to the creation of 20,000 jobs by 2024 and the ambitious investment of P20 billion on citizen initiatives, it aligns remarkably with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 9, which emphasises industry, innovation, and infrastructure. Debswana is implementing a vision where the extractive sector not only contributes but is pivotal to broad-spectrum economic and social development within mining communities.
A further testament to its visionary ethos, CEEP invests in local manufacturing for Debswana’s production needs, boosting the national manufacturing sector—a key to the Millennium Development Agenda.
The synergy between Debswana’s initiatives and government schemes is further strengthened by strategic partnerships with key stakeholders such as the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), Botswana Chamber of Mines (BCM), commercial banks, and the Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH). These collaborations are intricately crafted to magnify the impact of CEEP and ensure the successful integration of citizen companies into the forefront of economic activity.
CEEP embodies a spirit of inclusivity, a blueprint for growth where citizen-owned businesses are not just participants but leaders in Botswana’s economy. This initiative is an archetype for the private sector, urging mining and other extractive industries to emulate Debswana’s commitment to transformative empowerment.
As steward of our nation’s mining industry, it is my firm belief that the Debswana CEEP is a testament to what strategic partnerships and visionary planning can achieve. It marks an era where empowerment programmes are not just supportive of government initiatives but are fundamental to national prosperity and stability.
I call upon industry counterparts to take inspiration from Debswana and instigate similar initiatives, fostering a future where each enterprise contributes steadfastly to the empowerment of our communities and our nation’s sovereign advancement.
In Debswana’s CEEP, we have a paragon worth emulating, a catalyst for sustainable empowerment across industries. Debswana is not just mining diamonds; it is mining the potential of every Motswana, building the very foundation of our self-sufficient, economically independent Botswana.
Also Read: Our Journey to Citizen Economic Inclusion
