Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi On How Entrepreneurship Is Driving Africa’s Century

[@reitukonrad]

The sad thing is that as a person who has lived in Botswana and tried to conduct business within the country as a citizen, half of the things said do not apply to the majority of young entrepreneurs . Botswana is a very clique based economy and it's based on who you know and what elbows you've rubbed . Getting an idea from conception to actualization is an uphill battle full of bureaucratic tape . The real entrepreneurs are unable to obtain the financing needed as they're told a hundred reasons as to why they are unable to fund an idea . Very disappointed that Forbes has gone to Botswana a country that has a weak entrepreneural environment and basically perpetuated this narrative that there is this thriving economy. Look at the city where this was held , compared to other African cities such as Lagos and Johannesburg it lacks that forward thinking , future forward aesthetic that it's claiming to cultivate . This was a smoke screen .

[@ATE08GAZZA]

This is true

[@dapreachersilver7538]

Very true

[@africanexpert]

I'm a Motswana and I totally agree

[@einsdelarue361]

The main problem with you is that you want to be given things on a silver platter, which of cause the government has been doing since your schooling days. A lot of countries do not have innovation funds even other funds we have at your CEDAs and NDBs that assist entrepreneurs. Do you know how people from other countries get surprised when we tell them about availability of these opportunities? Just to share something with you, Forbes does not go to countries because they have strong Entrepreneural environment. Countries bid and pay hosting rights to Forbes so that event like this can assist in inculcating the spirit of entrepreneurship and advancing its maturity. It will be pathetic for Forbes to go to countries with advanced entrepreneurial environments and try to add value there, don't you think? I also don't really understand why you're trying to compare Gaborone with cities built by colonizers and with populations more than the entire Botswana populations for that matter. You call it a smoke screen I see an opportunity and an entrepreneurship seed planted by our government.

[@einsdelarue361]

​@@reitukonrad . If you need statistics of how many young Batswana have been funded and benefited from youth fund and Innovation fund as well as from CEDA and NDB, that information is available for you from those relevant organizations. Wow, if you application does not make a viable business case then there is no how you can be funded, its everywhere not just in Botswana. If you worked hard without indeed and never expected the government's assistance, why did you attend interviews for them to pick apart your application? I think since you are in the UK, you've lost touch with Botswana's reality, crowdfunding, venture capital and angel investors are available to public access, and I can see that you still expect the government to avail these to you, which is wrong. A lot of things you're saying are far fetched and all over.

[@timiade8804]

My message for Botswanans is to not be despise little beginnings. You guys have something really good here and if you continue on this path you could become the powerhouse of Africa. The fact that you have an anti corrupt government which is technologically forward and pro-free market? Honestly outstanding.

[@theberadise1960]

Rre o ke Mogaka , o nale maikaelelo e le ruri . Brilliant President and very determined to serve the people of Botswana 🇧🇼

[@Journeyjunckies]

Great Speech from The President of Beautiful Botswana 🇧🇼. Loved the backet hat to. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@carmennicholson2867]

Danuel Mugisha, this president is not wise what does he means when he said "We have no knowing Enemies" they're enemies right now sitting in his presence and he dont even know! These are the foolish men that rule Africa!!

[@drewh3224]

Botswana is formerly one of the world's poorest countries into the late 1960s. But, it has since transformed itself into an upper-middle-income country among Africa continent per PPP, with one of the world's fastest-growing economies.

[@elle_l808l]

Most batswana are still poor, it's indians and Chinese people that get better opportunities than us citizens because the government benefits from them. The richest person in botswan is indian, he got citizenship but he's indian. He owns choppies and his employees are underpaid and work in poor conditions and there's nothing the government is doing because the president and parliament memebers bought shares of the company. Thus they dont care about the average motswana, batswana are unemployed and underpaid.

[@ANGELINA-lq5fy]

​@@elle_l808l Not to mention the corruption here, it doesn't matter if you have a degree, diploma or doctorate. As long as you got connections.

[@facts4157]

​@@elle_l808l we want more chinesse and Indians in our country cos they are hardwokers they build our infrastructure and economy look at America,Qatar and canada they are rich cos of hardworking immigrants.

[@elle_l808l]

@@facts4157 the ideal would be batswana being as hardworking, if not more hardworking than them and reaping the rewards of their hardwork! Why would you want to reply on non Citizens to build our country and not just do it ourselves? But anyway, batswana would never actually be hardworking so for some of us who believe in hardwork we'll just have to watch our country being taken over by foreigners. I'll make sure to own land, y'all have fun remaining poor

[@mpendakiswahili3053]

​@@elle_l808l I'm shocked, your country has a small population with vast land and minerals how are citizens poor .....it really amazes me... Botswana and Namibia should be amongst the wealthiest in the world....

[@Motlhalawamadi]

You got ninety percent of the Botswana public out there with little or no net worth.

[@elle_l808l]

Exactly! Most batswana are unemployed or underpaid

[@jonnnyren6245]

If we can wrap Botswana in safety wrap. Botswana is a fascinating and economically stable country.

[@sydneymathuka4228]

So nice i will run well don't worry

[@isaiahmosojane4850]

Proud of president Masisi

[@dasofaboy]

His expressiveness is also pragmatic

[@ATE08GAZZA]

THIS WAS THE PERFECT TIME & PLATFORM TO SPEAK ON OUR DIAMOND DISTRIBUTION & SELLING PARTNERSHIP WITH DE’BEERS, Should have been honest about how we’re trapped in a +20 years suppressing deal & have been getting only 10% from all our diamonds. It’s time we sell & manage our diamonds our own way, we’re being robbed right under our noses .

[@mpendakiswahili3053]

What!!! You mean Botswana only gets 10% share of all your diamonds....

[@ATE08GAZZA]

@@mpendakiswahili3053 yes for the past years,Masisi even said it,this year they announced they tried talking the deal up to 25% which is still less…they claim it’s because the diamonds are unpolished etc when sold but if we improved our Mining education schemes our youth would have these jobs to Mine,clean , polish etc then we would sell the diamonds ourselves and get all profits, Botswana has the best quality diamonds worldwide you can even Google it,re ka se palelwe Ke go rekisa Teemane !!!

[@mpendakiswahili3053]

@@ATE08GAZZA I know you're diamonds are superior.....but wait a minute, how does somebody get 90% of your diamonds value.....the least should be Botswana 60% and the other party's 40%.... Truly Africans, we will be slaves till the end of time....

[@ritesmakgekgenene2707]

Thank you our presideñ

[@lucasthsepang3968]

If you see him with them doesnt do too much for his people

[@sydneymathuka4228]

I love my people

[@mphodikole9535]

My PRESIDENT!!!!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@UrbanLuxe.Records]

Has to be the most stylish president 🔥💯

[@sydneymathuka4228]

Thanks my family

[@kgomotsouridicemeshack6422]

Mosau keep the fire burning

[@sbonisoskhosana5590]

If you so much believe in democracy,why is Former President Ian Khama in South Africa,Please man😢

[@kefentsekoketsontlotlang5954]

How does him being in S. A be about democracy?

[@tebogoseabo1943]

@Sboniso I'd advise you to stay away from things you know nothing about

[@bonganenkosi1254]

​@@tebogoseabo1943 I'd advice you to answer the question... that will give us a chance to understand what you talking about

[@tendanipelaelo6293]

Ask Khama. He went to South africa voluntarily

[@sydneymathuka4228]

They want a great leader

[@ashleyjnevado8810]

The most pompous President in Africa this guy has Pride

[@carmennicholson2867]

Ashely, foolish pride!

[@elle_l808l]

This man is doing NOTHING for Batswana

[@mehlulimoyo3860]

The question about dancing is on our blood and you know it!

[@amovie07]

Eloquent African leader I have ever heard. Hope all i heard is indeed practiced. The rest of the lAfrivan leaders copy this.... It's not a bad thing

[@Lubha2003]

Mugabe was the best to me

[@sydneymathuka4228]

My family

[@sydneymathuka4228]

I needed money life is hard outside

[@SonictheHedgehog768MilesPrower]

Brilliant President of Botswana 🇧🇼…👏👏👏✅💯

[@sydneymathuka4228]

One

[@projectxtechnologies9440]

My concern is how you handled the Swaziland issue. You were the only hope for swazis

[@gilbertketeng]

What happened?

[@sydneymathuka4228]

I don't want to make mistake

[@sydneymathuka4228]

Please fix for me

[@yn_sekai]

Bro's on Forbes. 😂🇧🇼

[@clem5474]

I don't really trust these sweet-talking presidents. Once upon a time, we had a president called Mugabe in Zimbabwe. I rest my case. Sorry for my skepticism.. 😂

[@augustkasemaa3290]

Robert Mugabe was a staunch Marxist-Leninist. From the short research I did it looks that Mr Masisi is very much the opposite - pro free market economy and business. Being critical towards ones leaders is a cornerstone to good governance and I hope that the rest of Africa can follow in Zimbabwe's footsteps in becoming independent sovereign nations with stable governments and economies. Greetings from Estonia! 🇪🇪

[@tumimoloi2341]

My guy just google him...this is just lazy...we're the best democracy on the continent... Just stop with these "gut feelings"....it's got condescending undertones...

[@clem5474]

@@augustkasemaa3290 Greetings to you too, my Estonian brother.

[@southernafricanboy4148]

​@@augustkasemaa3290 Amen

[@yn_sekai]

Bro doin anything and everything. 😂

[@emmanueldingalo1285]

MXM

[@justzaka4300]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 wasimolla

[@emmanuelbaruti8461]

Yah neh

[@yaonentwa4141]

Eish! Brah e ene kana yone tota o maaka, 😂

[@purpledreams_21]

ka engg

[@yaonentwa4141]

@@purpledreams_21 a re domkrag e teng ko legodimong 🤣

[@letlhogonolomatjila-hu6bw]

🤣

[@emmanuelbaruti8461]

😂

[@yn_sekai]

​@@yaonentwa4141 💀

[@sydneymathuka4228]

Money

[@sydneymathuka4228]

No stealing

[@mduduzimayisa4476]

Something doesnt feel right about telling the thiefs of the world you pack diamonds in your closet🤣🤣🤣

[@sydneymathuka4228]

I smells good bathing thanks

[@existencehub1093]

😂😂😂 what a joke

[@danghannahdang]

I think I should worry more about feeding your people first.

[@Nswix]

People in Botswana aren't going hungry. It's probably the most prosperous country in Africa.

[@ms.Waldorf]

@@Nswix we are going hungry!

[@Nswix]

@@ms.Waldorf your profile says you're from South Africa. That's a whole other set of problems.

[@drewh3224]

@@Nswix Agreed that South Africa seems like a endless problems.

[@Nswix]

@@drewh3224 same problem as Argentina: continuing to vote for the same corrupt political party, over and over for decades as things get worse and they continue to tell you it's about to get better...

[@sydneymathuka4228]

Eat you must be very hungry

[@mpendakiswahili3053]

He seems to be a good puppet

[@noxolonginza4603]

I wonder why your Citizens are working and studying in SA if everything is good in Botswana.

[@ogone1465]

We also have South African students

[@LE0497]

Why are south Africans here too if everything is great there ??? 🤔

[@mphomathuba2942]

You don't deserve a reply; just doing this to let you know.

[@tebogoseabo1943]

Noxolo stop making a fool out of yourself

[@mathapelomolete5430]

🤦‍♂️

[@foolhardby]

..