PPPS key in driving Infrastructure progress for Botswana: Stanbic Bank

Stanbic Bank Botswana continues to support projects that contribute to growth, employment, cohesion and environmental sustainability as part of a dedicated commitment to enhancing social, environmental and economic returns - “SEE.” Key to this is the understanding of the significant role that Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) play in driving growth of infrastructure funding in a wholly sustainable manner, itself key to economic diversification and growth. The recently held Infrastructure Development Funding webinar hosted by the Bank sought to highlight the integral role of PPPs in how stakeholders can plan tangible progress in this space. Held under the theme, “A conversation on Public Private Partnerships as a vehicle to drive infrastructure development in Botswana,” the webinar aimed at ensuring that the Bank and key partners develop strong, strategic value-based relationships with key clients and stakeholders. It further highlighted the Bank’s capabilities in helping drive infrastructure development in Botswana through PPPs and in line with the Bank’s Purpose, Botswana is our home; we drive her growth. Stanbic Bank Botswana Chief Executive, Mr. Samuel Minta said, “This platform is one component in our wider strategy, and it represents one gesture to complement Botswana’s Vision 2036 pillar ‘Sustainable Economic Development.’ This pillar encompasses working to become a knowledge-based economy, with greater human capital, more doing business and competitiveness, and sustainable infrastructure development, to name just a few aspects. Infrastructure development is a key driver for progress in Botswana and a critical enabler for productivity and sustainable economic growth. It contributes significantly to human development, poverty reduction, and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It also promotes economic growth, thus attracting foreign investors for sustainable production and productivity.”

Stanbic Bank Botswana continues to solidify its customer centricity strategy by leveraging infrastructure development as a way to build the bank for tomorrow. This is in line with the Bank’s strategy, providing platforms that are relevant to Botswana and Batswana. This webinar is yet another step in efforts to grow Botswana’s economy.

Public Private Partnership Office Coordinator, Mr. Boniface Mphetlhe said “The Public Private Partnership Framework is based on existing policies and legal frameworks including the National Development Plan and the sectorial plans, as they reside in various entities of the Government. The Botswana PPPs’ are more focused on attaining value for money and to make sure we improve on efficiencies. The objectives of the PPPs include infrastructure development as well as setting boundaries around other players in the industry to promote economic growth. Therefore, the key players from the private sector are suppliers, contractors, advisors, financiers and many other stakeholders who are part of Botswana’s economic growth.”

Speaking in the same vein, Stanbic Bank Botswana, Head of Wholesale Client Segment Sheperd Aisam, the conversation on Public Private Partnership as a vehicle to drive infrastructure development in Botswana. “The PPPs are a shared value concept and a core existence meaning of purpose in the context of sustainable infrastructure development. Infrastructure development is a catalyst for growth and it provides the much-needed fluidity to evacuate goods to the market in the case of roads and railways. It provides sustainable clean drinking water and sanitation to foster a healthy population in the context of dams and water infrastructure. It helps bring energy to homes in the context of electricity, to hospitals and factories. Our role as Stanbic Bank Botswana is to connect the domestic and international capital to these projects and create that supply and demand,” said Aisam.

The Bank continues to work at every turn to unlock possibilities for Botswana and her people, thus making it possible for them to turn dreams into realities.

“As a business, we are committed to helping plan and prioritise infrastructure development, creating a culture of maintenance, targeted at raising the country’s competitiveness and attractiveness. This is with a view to fostering growth of all sectors of the economy, inclusive of the financial sector. We are here to work together to bring not only solutions and services but to share ideas and tangible outcomes that will help grow Botswana’s economy,” Concluded Minta.