VP urges investors to bet

Vice President and Minister of Finance, Mr Ndaba Gaolathe, has called on investors to identify and support entrepreneurs at the earliest stages of their journey. Delivering a keynote address at Angel Network Botswana 6th anniversary celebrations in Gaborone on Friday, Mr Gaolathe said the country’s next global success story would only emerge if someone believed in its founder before the business succeeds. He drew lessons from the founding stories of Google and Alibaba, explaining that both companies started with bold ideas, determined founders and early investors willing to back them before success was guaranteed.

Mr Gaolathe said Angel Investment was the critical bridge between founders and larger sources of finance. He said while banks required security and predictable cash flow and private equity, investors generally fund businesses with proven growth, Angel Investors was ready to provide the early capital that enabled entrepreneurs to test products, strengthen governance, build teams and attract future investment. He described Angel investing as confidence guided by sound judgment rather than blind faith, commending Angel Network Botswana for bringing together capital, mentorship, experience and credibility to support emerging businesses.

Mr Gaolathe also called for stronger collaboration among government, banks, development finance institutions, universities, venture capital funds and the Botswana Stock Exchange to strengthen the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Furthermore, he welcomed new partnerships with the Botswana Technology Fund and others saying their success would be measured by the enterprises they strengthen and the investment they unlock. He praised entrepreneurs who spoke about their businesses during the event, including representatives from Ipachi Capital, Organic Naturals Skincare and Viva Organica, saying they demonstrated the innovation, sacrifice and determination needed to transform the country’s economy.

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He assured the business founders that government was committed to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. He challenged young innovators to pursue transformative solutions capable of improving efficiency and competitiveness while drawing inspiration from successful African companies that solved everyday problems through innovation.ENDS

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