CEDA LAUNCHES MOBILE OFFICES IN MMATHETHE

With its mandate to drive citizen economic empowerment and foster entrepreneurship through financing, the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) officially launched two mobile offices to the community of Mmathethe on the 09^th of March 2016.

In his speech the CEDA Chief Executive Officer Mr. Thabo Thamane thanked Kgosi Mathiba and the community of Mmathethe for their hospitality and allowing the Agency to host the official launch of the Mobile Offices. Mr. Thamane explained that the Agency is constantly looking for avenues to reach out to as many communities as possible. The Agency aims to sensitize as many Batswana as possible on its mandate, products and services whilst also looking for viable and sustainable businesses to finance.  “The Agency has 10 branches around the country, 5 are in the Southern region whilst the remaining 5 are in the North. Whilst we have ensured that we are located in prime villages and cities around the country we also saw the importance of providing more facilities to Batswana through the mobile offices” said Mr. Thamane. He went on to say that the mobile offices will help extend their outreach with the objective of improving the Agency’s visibility particularly in remote areas that are not in near proximity to the branches. The Mobile Offices will be manned with CEDA Officers who are able to provide customers with information regarding CEDA products and services, mandate and also receive business proposals. The officers tasked to man these offices will also push the Agency’s latest product offering being Mabogo-Dinku. Mr. Thamane also informed the community of the Agency’s footprint in the Southern Region having invested over P 41 million towards projects. In Mmathethe Community alone the Agency has invested P 7 million. With this level of investment, it is evident that CEDA has and continues to help Batswana fulfil their dreams of becoming business owners.

Speaking as the keynote speaker, the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Honourable Vincent T. Seretse commended the Agency for its continued efforts in delivering on its mandate. He also commended the Agency on ensuring that they also find ways in addressing development challenges such as poverty, unemployment and income inequality.

The Minister congratulated the CEDA Board and Management for being visionaries and extending their services to communities that are not in close proximity of the branches. In his speech the Minister also implored the youth to really take advantage of CEDA’s service and product offerings. “Unlike other commercial lending institutions, CEDA offers training and mentoring to its customers, mentors are there to offer business expertise and technical know-how in ensuring that promoters have business success said the Minister. He went on to further say “It is important for the youth to make use of government initiatives aimed at empowering Batswana, products such as Mabogo-Dinku are made in such a way to help Batswana tap into the Agency’s fund.”

After the formal proceedings the Minister and dignitaries were given the opportunity to tour the mobile offices and engage with officers manning the units. The community were also given the chance to enquire on products and services and win spot prizes such as T-shirts, pens, bandannas, water bottles, sling bags and other great prizes in the question and answer sessions.