FRENCH INITIATIVES FOR STARTUPS AND SME- FRANCE AMBASSADOR IN BOTSWANA HER EXCELLENCY LAURENCE BEAU SHARES INSIGHTS
France’s commitment to support African entrepreneurship is validated in Botswana by Ambassador of France in Botswana Her Excellency Laurence Beau. In defining her feminist diplomacy agenda and interest for the startup ecosystem in Botswana we have taken the onus upon ourselves and my team to engage in dialogues with France-Botswana for the potentials of a tech startup ecosystem support system borrowed from France. One of my ecosystem friends asked why France? My response — it’s all about adding new value to our emerging ecosystem. In another response- I shared publicly that its been my mantra as a tech entrepreneur and mentor for the over 10 years in Botswana that entrepreneurship is the act if finding solutions to problems. For us and my partners at the company one of the greatest acts of entrepreneurship we have seen in 2021- solving our country’s most pressing problems with a simple innovative methodology; Find problems. Solve them.
But then- in an ecosystem where- startup and SME are always portrayed as one thing- the biggest challenge could then be that you get smoking mirrors about the success of entrepreneurs hence we have taken on the ask for help from leadership in France and also taking the African proverb with us -’If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together’. So here our dialogue with French Ambassador in Botswana this week ;
1) Did you know that France in Botswana is interested in supporting the development of a startup tech ecosystem. I would recommend one to read about the DIGITAL AFRICA INITIATIVE.
2) 3.5bn for 2018–2022 has been allocated by France to the development of formal and informal private sector in Africa- for me- a takeaway that France has has stepped up its action to support Africa’s private sector. How is Botswana making good use of this opportunity?
3) STATION F (France’s largest incubator with more than 600 startups) looks like a model that Botswana Digital & Innovation Hub could borrow and implement. Station F is a business incubator for startups, located in 13th arrondissement of Paris. With more than 30 startup programs, 35 public administrations, 150 VC funds, 4 mentorship offices and 600 events per year.
4) Botswana Government has committed to convert ORAPA HOUSE into a STARTUPOPENHOUSE- well- what does this mean for SMEs or STARTUPS? Introduction of Start-ups and SMEs can play a key role in job creation, economic growth and innovation. How can France help? Botswana can ask for France to help via its Financial institutions dedicated to boosting the contribution of the private sector- this is one way to open up a startup partnership with the private sector and the government of Botswana.
5. Next steps for supporting Botswana entrepreneurs- France is interested in startups. We at our company are convinced that start-ups play an essential role in developing innovative solutions that meet the needs of developing and emerging countries- Botswana should look this direction with a focus to influence ‘knowledge economy’. Startups have real potential in terms of job creation and impacts on Botswana’s development. So here is the simple ways this can be unlocked practically;
- Startup and SME program support- combine financing, resources and France expertise to support African entrepreneurs and their entrepreneurial ecosystems. I.e https://youtu.be/1cKLMTkjM8M
- Funds, Banks and Institutions Aggregation- Botswana could be suppported in the Renewable Energy sector, AgriBusiness Sector, and Digitilization of platforms across various sectors (health, education etc). Young people of Botswana can get into some sort of ‘Andela’ program as a way to create and influence mindset towards entrepreneurship as a career path. This has worked in Rwanda, Kenya and Estonia etc.
- Seed Financing and Capital Investments- through this program risk of failure can be reduced- via — local partner funds, start-ups can access equity financing and benefit from local expertise, knowledge and training to continue their development.
- Leadership Ecosystem Expertise- Making laws for startups- its very simple and we have said it many times- private sector first- and government by the side. Perhaps its time for a Feminist Model as a country to account for resources. In simplicity- Botswana needs a STARTUP ACT/POLICY led by female leaders. But as they say politics is economics and economics is politics. The success of Botswana is unquestionable in all the 54 independent states in Africa and why not make best use of this flagship and create more wealth for everyone. This is an achievable goal- simply put!
