Botswana Minute.
Friday, 16 October 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Friday, 16 October 2026
Gaborone—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Botswanan press · Organization

Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency

Also known as: CEDA

Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency — government development institution providing financing, enterprise support, and market access for citizen-owned businesses across agriculture, manufacturing, and other sectors.

2026-05-252026-10-16

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. October 2026
  2. Mmegi

    Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) caretaker CEO, Khalala Mokefane, urged the graduates to look beyond formal employment and explore commercial opportunities in agriculture and natural resource management.He stated Botswana needed young professionals who could addr …

    BUAN class of 2026 urged to innovate
  3. Daily News Botswana

    … He highlighted that agencies such as the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) and research bodies must assist with product development, while institutions like CEDA, NDB, and commercial banks provide capital. …

    Ntsima challenges businesses to expand into export market
  4. September 2026
  5. Mmegi

    … PushaBW Store operates as a joint initiative supported by BITC, the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency, the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana and the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship. …

    #PushaBW Store’s sales rise
  6. The Botswana Gazette

    CEDA says Botswana’s emerging hemp industry must create bankable, citizen-owned businesses and local value addition, not simply new production opportunities. …

    CEDA Pushes Bankable Hemp Businesses
  7. Mmegi

    The Francistown City Council (FCC) has confirmed that the old horticultural market facility located near Fire Services is currently undergoing refurbishment, following funding from the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA).The facility, which had remained largely unus …

    FCC horticulture market dream finally takes shape
  8. Daily News Botswana

    … The accused appeared before the Broadhurst Regional Magistrates Court today for arraignment over seven criminal charges arising from transactions involving the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA). …

    Balopi and co-accused to appear on October 28
  9. Mmegi

    … The BDP president and Co. face two counts of fraud and an attempt to obtain by false pretence, the case that is tied to Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency. …

    BDP leaves Balopi out in the cold
  10. Mmegi

    The case involves millions of pula in alleged irregular Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) transactions. …

    Balopi’s fraud charges put BDP in the dock
  11. Weekend Post

    … The agreement explicitly supports SPEDU’s existing work alongside the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency and the Local Enterprise Authority to resuscitate previously shuttered manufacturing businesses in the region. …

    A bank, a Gov’t agency, and a post-mining future:
  12. August 2026
  13. The Botswana Gazette

    The diamond producer is looking beyond mining by linking its procurement ecosystem with CEDA’s financing and enterprise-development mandate GAZETTE REPORTER Debswana is looking to use the commercial ecosystem surrounding its diamond operations to help build stronger citizen-owned …

    Debswana Bets on Citizen Industry
Business

CEDA CEO urges BUAN graduates to pursue entrepreneurship

The News

CEDA caretaker CEO Khalala Mokefane encouraged the BUAN class of 2026 to move beyond formal employment and explore commercial opportunities in agriculture and natural resource management, citing Botswana's need for young professionals to address economic challenges including the country's reliance on imported food.

14 October 2026 · Mmegi →

Wednesday 14 October

  1. CEDA CEO urges BUAN graduates to pursue entrepreneurship

    CEDA caretaker CEO Khalala Mokefane encouraged the BUAN class of 2026 to move beyond formal employment and explore commercial opportunities in agriculture and natural resource management, citing Botswana's need for young professionals to address economic challenges including the country's reliance on imported food.

    14 October 2026 · Mmegi →

Monday 12 October

  1. Minister urges businesses to build domestic base before exporting

    Speaking at the inaugural Made in BW – Sold to the World Expo 2026 in Palapye, Minister Ntsima challenged businesses to establish strong domestic market foundations before pursuing exports, arguing that local customers help producers refine quality, packaging, and value. The government committed to support local enterprises through preferential procurement and the Economic Diversification Drive.

    12 October 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Wednesday 30 September

  1. #PushaBW Store sales reach P714,153.60 in financial year

    The #PushaBW Store at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, which showcases products made entirely in Botswana by local entrepreneurs, achieved sales of P714,153.60, with the third quarter being its strongest trading period driven by increased festive-season demand and replica kit sales for the national football team.

    30 September 2026 · Mmegi →

Thursday 17 September

  1. CEDA urges citizen ownership in hemp industry development

    CEDA Board Chairperson Mbaakanyi Lenyatso says Botswana's emerging hemp industry must create sustainable, citizen-owned businesses and local value addition, rather than simply open new production opportunities.

    17 September 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Wednesday 16 September

  1. Francistown horticulture market refurbished with CEDA funding

    Francistown City Council has confirmed that an old horticultural market facility near Fire Services is undergoing refurbishment with support from the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency. The facility, unused for decades, is expected to become a trading hub where horticulture farmers can aggregate, store, and sell produce in bulk.

    16 September 2026 · Mmegi →

  2. Balopi and seven co-accused granted bail, return October 28

    BDP president Mpho Balopi and seven co-accused were granted bail on Wednesday after arraignment before the Broadhurst Regional Magistrates Court on seven criminal charges—two counts of fraud, one count of attempting to obtain by false pretence, and four counts of money laundering—arising from transactions involving the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency.

    16 September 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Friday 11 September

  1. BDP leader Balopi faces corruption charges, party withholds support

    Mpho Balopi, BDP president, is set to be arraigned in court on September 16 on corruption-related charges involving P5 million alongside several companies and individuals. The BDP central committee has decided not to throw its weight behind him, leaving him politically exposed despite remaining in his leadership position.

    11 September 2026 · Mmegi →

Monday 7 September

  1. BDP president Balopi faces fraud charges over CEDA transactions

    Balopi, leader of the opposition BDP, faces criminal charges linked to alleged irregular Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) transactions involving millions of pula. The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime alleges that CEDA was deceived into releasing P669,842.11 for billboard work never executed, and that Balopi and a co-accused attempted to obtain P1.399 million using false documents.

    7 September 2026 · Mmegi →

Thursday 3 September

  1. FNB and SPEDU partner to finance post-mining Selebi Phikwe projects

    First National Bank Botswana and SPEDU have signed a partnership agreement to address financing gaps for industrial investment projects worth between 5.9 billion and 6.8 billion pula in the Selebi Phikwe region, testing whether Botswana's push toward private sector-led economic diversification can succeed.

    3 September 2026 · Weekend Post →

Monday 24 August

  1. Debswana links procurement ecosystem with CEDA financing

    Debswana is connecting its procurement ecosystem with CEDA's financing and enterprise-development mandate to build stronger citizen-owned businesses as Botswana seeks economic diversification beyond mining.

    24 August 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Monday 17 August

  1. Corruption drives P174.68 million in CEDA, BDC criminal proceeds

    A Financial Intelligence Agency report on money laundering and financing risks within development institutions found that corruption accounted for P174.68 million, or roughly 87 percent, of identified criminal proceeds from offenses reported since 2021 at CEDA and BDC.

    17 August 2026 · Weekend Post →

Thursday 13 August

  1. Debswana and CEDA partner to support citizen-owned businesses

    Debswana and the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency have formed an alliance to unlock opportunities for citizen-owned businesses across agriculture, manufacturing, innovation, and engineering, leveraging Debswana's operational expertise and market access to scale local enterprises and strengthen supply chains.

    13 August 2026 · Weekend Post →

Tuesday 11 August

  1. CEDA sponsors wellness walk for adults aged forty and above

    TM Media Consultancy is organising the Beyond 40 wellness walk on September 5 at the Three Dikgosi Monument in Gaborone, targeting adults aged 40 and above with 2.5km, 5km and 10km route options. The event, supported by CEDA and led by Minister Moeti Mohwasa, aims to encourage regular physical activity, healthy living and active ageing.

    11 August 2026 · Mmegi →

Tuesday 4 August

  1. CEDA converts business materials to Braille for entrepreneurs

    CEDA is making essential publications available in Braille to remove barriers and create opportunities for persons living with visual impairments to access business development information, financial support, and participate in entrepreneurship.

    4 August 2026 · Mmegi →

Monday 3 August

  1. Court acquits last suspect in 2022 Sefalana robbery case

    The Village Magistrate's Court acquitted Kabo Moremong, the sole remaining suspect in the November 2022 robbery at Sefalana Cash and Carry in which P649,863.75 was stolen. The magistrate ruled that the State had failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Moremong had any connection to the robbery or acted in concert with the four armed men involved.

    3 August 2026 · Weekend Post →

Monday 27 July

  1. Botswana artists missing long-term asset value through IP protection gaps

    Botswana's music and entertainment industry generates millions through concerts and sponsorships but loses long-term value because creators rarely register intellectual property like trademarks and brand equity. While the country ranks 58th globally in innovation inputs, it falls to 116th in creative outputs, reflecting a broader African trend where national trademark registries account for less than two percent of global filings annually.

    27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →

Friday 17 July

  1. CIPA convenes stakeholders to unlock Botswana's creative economy

    The Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA), through the Levy on Technical Devices Fund, brought together government, regulators, financial institutions and private sector representatives to address funding, skills development, intellectual property protection and market access in the creative industries. CIPA Strategy Manager Lucky Matseka said creativity is a strategic asset for national development beyond natural resources.

    17 July 2026 · Mmegi →

  2. Botswana's Trade Up North fair enters 10th year in Francistown

    The Trade Up North B2B procurement platform, now in its 10th year, connects SMEs with SADC buyers and features curated "Deal Rooms" arranging meetings between suppliers and procurement leaders from major companies and government ministries. The 2026 fair will take place in Francistown at Cresta Marang Gardens.

    17 July 2026 · Mmegi →

  3. Trade Up North fair enters tenth year in Francistown

    Botswana's premier B2B procurement platform connects SMEs with SADC buyers through curated "Deal Rooms" featuring pre-scheduled meetings with procurement leaders from major companies and government ministries. The fair, now in its tenth year, takes place in Francistown and aims to drive local content and regional integration.

    17 July 2026 · Mmegi →

Friday 26 June

  1. Official declarations show Moagi's liabilities unchanged across multiple years

    A witness testified that former official Moagi declared the same three liabilities—a P4 million CEDA loan, an FNB personal loan, and a credit card facility—in declarations made in December 2020, January 2023, and June 2025, with the CEDA loan showing no reduction over the years.

    26 June 2026 · Mmegi →

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Ex-DCEC chief sues government over demotion and death threats

    Tshepo Pilane, former Acting Director General of the DCEC, has filed a notice of intention to sue the government, alleging unlawful demotion and failure to investigate death threats. He claims a conspiracy by senior officials during his tenure investigating senior figures, including the former Permanent Secretary to the President and the Director General of the DIS.

    2 June 2026 · Weekend Post →

Monday 25 May

  1. CEDA poultry initiative faces market access barriers

    Botswana's Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency launched a revamped poultry financial suite aimed at boosting local participation in the sector for food security and import substitution. However, poultry farmers argue that financing, while necessary, may not be the industry's primary constraint.

    25 May 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency — Botswanan press coverage · Botswana Minute