EARLY STAGE INVESTING IS ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS — GERMAN DIPLOMAT TO BOTSWANA
LET’S CO-CREATE NEW SYSTEMS: HIS EXCELLENCY RALF BRETH-GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA
His Excellency Ambassador Ralf Breth and I met yesterday in Gaborone, Botswana; my responsibility being to thank him for the support he has extended to NGWANA AFRICA and to bid him fare well as his term in Botswana has ended and he returns to Germany in the coming weeks 🤓🤓 (pending flights availability).
The outcome of the meeting had five (5) lessons;
1) we need innovation at the systems level, we need transformative change in Botswana .
…explained in detail future innovators ought to be innovating at the systems level and understanding fully that the co-creation of multiple actors from diverse sectors is the key to the success of any transformation agenda.
2) Long-lasting innovations are not created overnight and alone. They are created over time by a collection of people.
…Ive read everyday about entrepreneurs in Botswana either on the DailyNews or i have seen some small business owners selling honey, fruits and vegetables every day here at Main Mall, but it is very important to structure these people, they are good examples of “entrepreneurs” who have a laser focus on everyday adding value to your economy. I think most young people ive met have a “magic” idea of entrepreneurship. You must therefore start to show that impact of entrepreneurship from the conceptualization of concrete innovation initiatives to economic development of the people. Start by creating a structured focus on such success stories and in years it will form into IMPACT.
3) To unlock tech-based opportunities take these 3 success tools with you ;
(a.) Consultation
It will begin with a problem that you perceive as an opportunity
(b) Co-Creation
Co-create a system solution with a diverse group of innovators
(c.) Implementation
The story always ends with a concrete action on the ground that brings all together and closer to the set vision …
4) Building the future of tech in Africa #TechInAfrica is a seemingly an interest for many Governments, in Botswana you have termed it Digital Economy…but the focus should be on more vectors of the economy.
…Precision agriculture in Botswana could be an area of interest where you could to launch an initiative aimed to create a platform that leverages disruptive agricultural technologies to reach ten thousand farmers and enhance their productivity, profitability and resilience in Botswana. Agricultural technologies (AgTech) are gaining traction on the continent, there is often a clear connection to climate change and environmental impact. This is an area that could spark venture capital flowing to agri-foodtech startups on the continent from Europe as the sector’s pathway to digitization, modernization and growth is at the infancy stage…Look into this opportunity very closely!
5) We should all be free to express our ideas, as they attract or drive innovation and creativity- this must be done through relationships with others across the world.
Simply put early stage investing is about relationships. And this is important for an economy like Botswana. It came to my conclusion that what His Excellency was saying is that … “A man who calls his kinsmen to a feast does not do so to save them from starving. They all have food in their own homes. When we gather together in the moonlit village ground it is not because of the moon. Every man can see it in his own compound. We come together because it is good for kinsmen to do so.” ~ Chinua Achebe.
That was the summary of our supported policy dialogue and spurred bilateral partnership with German Ambassador to Botswana HE Ralf Breth and we have extended a seat for him on the board of our company as he goes into his retirement.
About Ambassador Ralf Breth and Germany
His Excellency Ralf Andreas Breth (German diplomat)
Ambassador Ralf Breth
Born: 1954 (age 66 years), Heppenheim, Germany
Botswana and Germany established diplomatic relations in 1966 and the two countries have over the years deepened their cooperation in various areas of transport, water and sanitation, education, trade and investment as well as wildlife conservation among others, where various agreements were signed.