Empowering of Small -Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs): A Case of Botswana

Abstract

The study aimed to establish the economic empowerment schemes put in place by the Botswana Government to help the Small-Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs). The objectives followed were to i) identify the types of SMMEs operating in Botswana ii) the main empowerment schemes put in place by the Botswana Government iii) the challenges faced in the process of implementing those schemes and the recommendations put forward. The study employed desktop research approach. Findings revealed that the Botswana Government has put in place powerful schemes such as CEDA, LEA, Youth Grant Fund, eYen and Young farmers CEDA fund among others. The challenges faced in implementing the schemes are among others; failure to repay, abandoning of the projects, duplication of effort due to lack of overall coordination by different stakeholders, limited resources and capacity etc. The study recommends further research especially on the accessibility of financial aid by SMMEs in Botswana.