ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER – Tholo Holdings 1145 views

A bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Development Studies, or a related field is commonly required; many employers also prefer a postgraduate qualification such as an MBA or a diploma in Enterprise Development from institutions like UB, BOCODOL, or BIUST. Professional certifications like the Certified Development Finance Professional (CDFP) or membership with the Botswana Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA) may strengthen applications, especially for roles involving SME financing or compliance with local development frameworks.

Day-to-day responsibilities often include assessing SME loan applications or grant eligibility against national criteria (e.g., BIDA or Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency guidelines), facilitating business mentorship workshops with local partners like BEIG, and reporting progress to senior management and government stakeholders. You’ll frequently engage with entrepreneurs across regions—especially in Gaborone, Francistown, and rural districts—using tools aligned with Botswana’s National Development Plan and Vision 2036 priorities.

Respect for hierarchy, punctuality, and relationship-building through face-to-face engagement remain important, particularly when liaising with community leaders, traditional authorities, or government agencies. Employers value cultural competence—such as fluency in Setswana, understanding of local business norms (e.g., informal sector dynamics), and adherence to public service ethics—as reflected in the Public Service Act and Botswana’s Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

With experience, professionals often advance to Senior Enterprise Development Manager, Head of SME Programmes, or Director-level roles within holding companies, parastatals like BIDA or BEIG, or international development partners such as UNDP Botswana or IFC. Some transition into policy advisory roles with the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry or pursue entrepreneurship support consultancy work accredited by the Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA).

Most formal-sector employers offer at least 22 days of annual leave, statutory sick leave, and participation in the Botswana National Pension Scheme (BNPS); medical aid is increasingly common but not universal—larger firms like Tholo Holdings may provide group schemes through providers such as Medshield Botswana or BONFIRE. Maternity leave follows the Employment Act (12 weeks fully paid), and some employers offer additional allowances for travel to remote areas or professional development funding aligned with BQA-accredited courses.