The Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA), a parastatal under the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship, has officially launched the “A Di Tsale Financial Product” in Gaborone, a groundbreaking initiative developed through extensive stakeholder consultations.
The product is designed to address the evolving challenges and demands of modern cattle production in Botswana. Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Hon. Tiroeaone Ntsima, described A Di Tsale as “the engine that will finance the resurgence of Botswana’s livestock sector, strengthen rural economies, and reassert the country’s competitive position in regional and global markets.” Minister Ntsima noted that Botswana’s cattle herd, once standing at 3 million, has declined to between 1.6 and 1.7 million due to prolonged droughts, disease outbreaks, poor genetics, and fragmented value chains.
He highlighted that the national offtake rate currently stands at 6%, far below the global benchmark of 15% to 25%, while the calving rate remains below 50%, compared to an international best practice of 60% to 70% achievable through artificial insemination. “The A Di Tsale program is designed to close these gaps,” said Minister Ntsima. “It is a direct response to the objectives of the National Development Plan 12 (NDP 12), which positions agriculture as a central pillar of economic diversification and food security.
The program aligns with our vision to transform agriculture into a diversified, resilient, and export-oriented sector that creates jobs, drives rural income, and reduces import dependence.” The Minister emphasised that the A Di Tsale Financial Product Suite provides the financing framework to operationalize Government’s Vision 2036 and NDP 12, adding that it is “evidence-based and outcome-driven.”
Speaking at the same event, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Mr. Joel Ramaphoi, underscored that the lack of value chain financing has been a major challenge facing Botswana’s agricultural sector. He said it introduces strategic interventions that strengthen value chain linkages, promote inclusivity and support export-led growth.
It reflects government’s commitment to building competitive and sustainable value chains that create jobs and expand opportunities for Batswana entrepreneurs. Ramaphoi further emphasised that the A Di Tsale initiative aligns with the Ministry’s mandate to build a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, enhance local production capabilities, and expand access to markets.