Supporting Local Manufacturing and Employment in Botswana
In Botswana’s Central District, the town of Selebi-Phikwe is still adjusting to life after the closure of its main copper-nickel mine. For decades, the mine supported thousands of jobs, and with them, a sense of economic certainty. In the years since, recovery hasn’t come from large employers, but from small, locally-rooted businesses stepping in to fill the gaps. One of those businesses belongs to Thato Kgwatalala, founder of Mr & Mrs Chem, a small manufacturing company producing domestic and industrial cleaning products.
“My interest has always been in manufacturing,” Thato explains. “As a chemical engineer, I wanted to use my knowledge to produce Botswana-based products, create jobs, and motivate young people not to rely solely on government employment.” Founded in 2022, Mr & Mrs Chem supplies cleaning products to households, hospitals, and schools – everyday essentials that keep communities running. But like many small manufacturers, growth didn’t come easily. For Thato, the biggest hurdle wasn’t demand. It was cash flow.
“Our biggest difficulty was declining quantities in government purchase orders during the economic crisis,” he says. Without consistent access to working capital, the business struggled to maintain enough raw materials and finished stock. When shortages or damaged materials occurred – common risks in manufacturing – it became difficult to recover quickly. Orders were delayed and sometimes lost altogether. For a young business trying to build trust with clients, those setbacks mattered.
The turning point: access to financing
Things began to change when Mr & Mrs Chem accessed financing through AGC’s Botswana-based financing partner, Ticano. With capital in place, Thato was able to purchase raw materials consistently from suppliers in Botswana and South Africa. Production stabilized, delivery timelines improved, and confidence both inside the business and among customers began to grow.
“With AGC’s partner, I’ve never failed meeting my deliveries on time,” Thato shares.
That stability has had a ripple effect. The business now supports six jobs, including two female managers, and has strengthened relationships with suppliers, helping more money circulate within the local economy.
With AGC’s partner Ticano, I’ve never failed meeting my deliveries on time.
– Thato Kgwatalala.
The outcome: growing confidence and new opportunities
As operations stabilized, new opportunities followed. “We’ve acquired more clients through positive references,” Thato says. “We’re now willing to explore relationships with businesses in other sectors because we’re confident, we have an adequate financing partner.”
One milestone stands out in particular: supplying products as part of a nationally coordinated government health program, with materials distributed across Botswana. For a young manufacturing business, it was a powerful moment of validation.
The impact has extended beyond itself. Mr & Mrs Chem now supports small community initiatives, including sponsorship of local sports activities – modest but meaningful contributions to community life.
With greater stability, Thato is already looking ahead. Plans include exploring bottle manufacturing to produce packaging in-house, strengthening the company’s independence and expand its role in the local value chain.
Stories like Mr & Mrs Chem show how economic recovery often starts quietly with small teams, steady work, and access to the right financial support at the right time. In places like Selebi-Phikwe, access to financing determines whether businesses can keep operating, employ people, and grow. By working through local partners like Ticano, AGC helps ensure that capital reaches entrepreneurs like Thato – supporting the steady, day-to-day activity that underpins economic resilience.
Alignment to Global Sustainability Standards
We are closely aligned with United Nations Sustainability Goals 5, 8, 9 and 10
Latest: 2025 Impact Report
Our annual impact report summarizes how we have been utilizing capital to benefit our valued investors, partners, and local communities across the globe. Our comprehensive report examines the outcomes and achievements of our commitment to driving positive change and empowering small businesses.
