01 Apr 2025

In a strategic move towards developing and sustaining Small Micro Medium Enterprises (SMMEs), Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) through Kanye branch is on a mission to build factory shells to house six light industrial manufacturing businesses.

The project, which is underway, is set for completion in the first quarter of the financial year 2025/26. Speaking in an interview yesterday, LEA Kanye Branch Manager, Mr Khaolani Phineas said the shells were targeting micro and small businesses. Mr Phineas said the development was welcome especially in their pursuit of developing businesses in the region, adding that entrepreneurs would benefit from an array of growth interventions ideal to upscale their operations.

He emphasized that as mandated by the Small Business Act of 2004, LEA was resolute on its journey to support small businesses to graduate into meaningful entities that would help in creation of employment opportunities and boosting the country’s economy. 

Mr Phineas further explained that the duration for those occupying the factory shells would be three years, citing the first year to be pre-incubation whereby entrepreneurs would be subjected to a test of compliance and commitment to building a scalable business. He said this process would be followed by a set of growth interventions, which would ensure graduation of clients to their second and third term before exiting the shells.

Mr Phineas reiterated that the purpose of the incubator model was to accelerate growth of these enterprises to be able to stand on their own and compete in the market, adding that already LEA had tried and tested the platform through its other various incubators such as Pilane Incubator Factory Shells, Glen Valley Horticultural Incubator and the leather incubator in Gaborone.

He emphasised that through the factory shells they were able to deploy their one-on-one business development interventions by providing support and resources to startups and early-stage businesses, including access to markets, mentors, and funding, ultimately helping them develop and scale up. Mr Phineas said after completion of the factory shells, LEA would send out an advertisement to the general public to apply for the availed spaces.

He reiterated that light industrial manufacturing typically produced goods targeted at the end consumer, such as clothes, shoes, toys, nails and electronics, adding that products in this sector could foster innovation and local entrepreneurship, driving economic growth within the community. The significance of this initiative extends beyond just providing physical space for manufacturing, it embodies a holistic approach to business development, he said.

By offering a structured environment where aspiring entrepreneurs can receive guidance and support, LEA aims to cultivate a robust ecosystem for SMMEs in Kanye. This includes access to essential resources, training programs, and professional networks that can facilitate the growth of these businesses.

Mr Phineas underscored the importance of community engagement and collaboration in the success of this project and encouraged local entrepreneurs to take advantage of the upcoming opportunities, stressing that the factory shells would not only create jobs but also enhance the local supply chain and contribute positively to the overall economic landscape of the region.

As the LEA prepares to roll out this program, potential incubatees were urged to begin preparing their proposals and business plans to demonstrate their commitment and readiness for the challenges of enterprise growth. Mr Phineas said LEA was committed to ensuring that the selected businesses not only thrived during their time in the incubator but continued to contribute to the economy long after they exit the program.

Overall, this light manufacturing incubator initiative represents a pivotal step towards empowering local entrepreneurs, driving innovation, and fostering sustainable economic development in Kanye. As the project progresses, it is expected to create a ripple effect, inspiring other regions to adopt similar models aimed at bolstering small business growth, he said. ENDS