TDB GROUP EXTENDS TRADE FINANCE FACILITY TO TICANO GROUP IN BOTSWANA TO SUPPORT SME GROWTH
Media contacts:
Anne-Marie Iskandar
Senior Communications Officer
Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations
Trade and Development Bank
Anne-Marie.Iskandar@tdbgroup.org
Ticano Group
Janine Seabenyane
Service & Client Relations Department
jseabenyane@ticanogroup.co.bw
Gaborone, 13 June 2025 – The Trade and Development Bank Group (TDB Group), through its soft lending window—the Trade and Development Fund (TDF)—has finalised a USD 1 million revolving trade finance facility for Ticano Group (Proprietary) Limited.
The three-year facility is designed to support Ticano’s efforts to provide timely financial solutions for growing businesses in Botswana with a focus on impact-oriented supply chain finance, empowering businesses and contributing to economic diversification. It will provide working capital to approximately 300 SMEs including those that supply various government institutions over its tenor, helping to bridge the critical gap between service delivery and customer payments, consequently reducing financial strain on the businesses.
This investment is timely, as SMEs in Botswana continue to face persistent cash flow challenges that hinder their growth and ability to deliver effectively. The facility aims to ease this pressure by enabling local suppliers sustain operations, meet demand, and participate more actively in the economy.
Gloria Mamba, Chief Executive, TDB Asset Management SBU said “TDB Group recognises the multifaceted role SMEs play in driving inclusive economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development across the continent, and is committed to supporting them through innovative and tailored financing solutions. These solutions are designed not only to enhance the operational capacities of SMEs but also to empower them to overcome financial barriers, scale their businesses, and contribute meaningfully to the broader economic landscape.”
Opelo Motswagae, Executive Director, Ticano said “As an impact- oriented supply chain financing enabler, Ticano Group is excited to have this partnership that enables further reach to the SMEs in Botswana with a focus in Healthcare, Education, ICT and Agribusiness supply chains and rural areas. The funds will reach those that need them most – the SMEs, and most importantly give access to speedy service delivery to end users in these sectors. Our aim is to play a meaningful role in the economic development agenda that aligns with SDGs. We have a commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind which is why we are particularly proud of our Women & Youth Contracts Finance and Disability Logistics Support Financing programmes.”
In addition to enhancing supply chain finance, the facility is expected to contribute to broader financial inclusion across Botswana. Ticano plans to use the facility to expand its services to rural villages, bringing access to finance to areas and communities traditionally left out of formal financial services.
Botswana was one of the most recent Member States to join the Trade and Development Bank Group. This engagement with Ticano Group, the first of its kind in Botswana, contributes to TDB Group’s strategic expansion across Southern Africa, and further strengthens efforts to advance inclusive development in the region.
About TDB Group
Established in 1985, the Trade and Development Bank Group (TDB Group) is an African regional multilateral development bank, with a mandate to finance and foster trade, regional economic integration, and sustainable development in Africa. TDB Group counts several subsidiaries and strategic business units including Trade and Development Banking, TDB Asset Management (TAM), the Trade and Development Fund (TDF), TDB Captive Insurance Company (TCI), the ESATAL fund management company and TDB Academy.
About Ticano Group (Proprietary) Limited
Ticano is an impact-oriented supply chain finance firm based in Botswana. It is regulated by the Non-Banking Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority (NBFIRA) of Botswana and holds an Economic Diversification Drive accreditation from the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Ticano has over 5 branches and provides funding to SMEs across Botswana in a number of sectors including education, food, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, as well as healthcare.
