The Minister of Entrepreneurship Hon. Karabo S. Gare signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between Ministry of Entrepreneurship and the International Cooperative Alliance Africa (ICAA).

ICAA is an independent non-Governmental organization established to unite, serve and represent cooperatives worldwide. In Botswana, Cooperatives fall within the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and they are key in driving economic growth, diversification and development.

In his remarks, the Hon Minister thanked ICA-Africa for identifying Botswana as an ideal location to host the Sub Regional Office, and for demonstrating confidence in our country to establish an office which will serve ICA members in the Southern Region continent.

He indicated government’s obligation to assist ICA Africa in identifying land for the said office, but it will be the responsibility of ICA Africa Regional Office to procure the acquired land and build the office.

Minister Gare also thanked the ICA-Africa President, High Chief Ayeola from Nigeria and representatives from different African countries such as Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Eswatini, South Africa as well Lesotho, for choosing Botswana to host the 44th ICA-Africa Executive Board meeting and the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement.

For his part the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Joel Ramaphoi said the establishment of the office will increase awareness on cooperatives and their contribution to socioeconomic development particularly their impact on poverty reduction and employment creation