Mr. Zwelibanzi Sapula, Chief Executive Officer of the SADC Development Finance Resource Centre (SADC-DFRC), recently held a courtesy call with Mr. Godfrey B. Molefe, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA). The meeting, convened in Gaborone, served as a platform to align strategic visions, and enhance collaboration between the two institutions in support of economic development across the SADC region.

During the discussions, Mr. Molefe highlighted key focus areas for LEA, including the provision of business advisory services to parastatals such as the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) and the National Development Bank (NDB). He also emphasized the importance of capacity-building initiatives, particularly through LEA’s Informal Sector Program of 2024, which aims to bolster government support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). These efforts underscore his vision of transforming LEA into a more customer-centric, efficient, and impactful organization.

Mr. Sapula, in turn, articulated his transformative vision for the SADC-DFRC, outlining its potential to serve as a hub for capacity building and resource mobilization for Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) to access donor funding. He further emphasized the Centre’s role in influencing cross-border policies and fostering harmonization through policy advisory and research. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of successful project execution through robust project preparation and development. These initiatives aim to position the SADC-DFRC as a more potent and value-adding institution within the region.

The courtesy call marked the beginning of a strengthened partnership between the SADC-DFRC and LEA, paving the way for impactful initiatives that will drive economic growth, support SMEs, and foster sustainable development across the SADC region. Both leaders expressed their commitment to leveraging this collaboration to achieve shared goals and deliver tangible benefits to the communities they serve.

This meeting underscores the importance of strategic partnerships in advancing regional economic development and highlights the transformative potential of aligned visions and collaborative efforts.