The All Africa Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (AAASME) Felicitate with His Excellency, Advocate Gideon Boko, President of Botswana and all its citizens on occasion of National day alongside celebrations of 60yrs of independence.
While wishing that the labors of heroes past is not in vain, AAASME commends the government for stability of policy, governance and economic progress in these years.
AAASME President Dr. Ebiekure Jasper Eradiri used the medium to reiterate his message of July 23, 2026 over AAASME proposal that Botswana serve as the Southern African hub of the US$1.4 billion Ubuntu Susu Continental SME Fund, a pan-African blended finance platform designed to provide patient capital to entrepreneurs who have been excluded from conventional banking.
According to the association, the fund is rooted in the traditional Susu financing model, which has helped communities mobilise capital through trust, collective participation and shared responsibility. The proposed initiative seeks to expand this model by combining community-based financing with institutional investment and digital infrastructure.
AAASME said Botswana’s participation would involve sovereign co-investment, with capital deployed preferentially to Botswana-based SMEs and businesses within Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional value chains.
The association also broadened the proposal that Botswana host the fund’s Southern African operational node, which it said would give the country a stronger institutional presence in continental financial infrastructure and attract investment activities and professional services.
AAASME further stated that Botswana’s involvement could position the country as a leading regional centre for enterprise capital and create opportunities for SMEs to access financing needed for expansion, innovation and job creation.
The association noted that Botswana’s governance record, policy stability and Beyond Diamonds economic diversification agenda made it a suitable partner for the initiative.
The proposal was contained in a brief addressed to Botswana’s President, Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, dated July 23, 2026, with AAASME expressing its readiness to discuss the specific terms of Botswana’s participation and align the fund’s Southern African strategy with the country’s national development priorities.
Once again, on behalf of the Board, Management of AAASME and the Leadership of UbuntuSusu Continental SME Fund, we heartily wish Happy 60yrs Independence to Botswana
