The Botswana Development Corporation Limited (BDC) was founded in 1970 and is today one of the biggest investors in the country with investment in excess of P1billion.

40 years ago, mining was the main driver of the country’s economy and the BDC was established with a firm mandate to develop the country’s commercial and industrial landscape with the primary aim being to reduce the dependency on mining.

This would be a massive task for the fledgling BDC especially against the backdrop of Botswana’s then third world status and an infrastructure that was largely undeveloped. Existing trade imbalances and the fact that Botswana was a virtually unknown country at the time made the challenges even greater.

In addition, Government expectations were high. As the sponsor of the BDC, the Government expected the Corporation to create jobs and enhance the skills of Batswana in different trades across all sectors of the economy.

Over the years, the BDC’s cause has been aided by Botswana’s flexible fiscal regime, which makes it easy for local and foreign investors to set up sustainable operations in the country. The BDC portfolio includes investment in manufacturing, tourism, agribusiness and services as well as property development and management. The Corporation offers flexible financial solutions to entrepreneurs that have identified viable business opportunities in Botswana.

The BDC provides loan financing, equity participation, commercial, industrial and residential premises, as well as invoice discounting services to clients that meet its investment criteria.

The BDC’s dedication to the economic empowerment of the country’s citizens is furthered by its divestment strategy that involves either offering shares to the public once a company has returned its investment to the Corporation and shows sustainable growth, or by inviting a technical partner who brings financial or managerial resources into the company to take it forward.

In addition, the BDC always seeks to ensure the prosperity of the communities in which it operates. This is achieved through donations and the sponsorship of charitable causes through the BDC’s corporate social responsibility program. During 2009 and 2010, the corporation donated over P1 million to various charities and built houses for the underprivileged in the village of Ramotlabaki in the Kgatleng District. BDC employees were actively involved in the construction of the houses.

The BDC has grown from strength to strength over the past 40 years and remains determined in its quest to nurture businesses that contribute to a strong and diversified economy and a prosperous society.