First National Bank Botswana (FNB Botswana) and Petrohyper have formalised a strategic partnership aimed at unlocking access to funding for citizen contractors operating within the fuel and logistics value chain, in a move positioned to strengthen local enterprise participation in one of the country’s most critical sectors.
The Memorandum of Agreement establishes a structured financing framework that enables citizen suppliers and transporters contracted by Petrohyper to access working capital from FNB Botswana, supported by secured contract cashflows. The model is designed to reduce financing risk while improving SMEs’ ability to execute large-scale commercial contracts and scale sustainably within the fuel ecosystem.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Gaborone, FNB Botswana Chief Executive Officer, Mr Steven Lefentse Bogatsu described the agreement as a deliberate intervention to bridge the long-standing gap between market opportunity and access to capital for citizen enterprises.
“This partnership reflects a shift in how we approach financing not just as a transactional function, but as a strategic tool to enable participation in high-value sectors of the economy,” said Bogatsu. “By linking funding to secured commercial contracts within Petrohyper’s ecosystem, we are creating a platform for citizen enterprises to operate competitively, scale responsibly and contribute meaningfully to national productivity.”
Bogatsu noted that the initiative aligns with Botswana’s broader economic priorities of diversification, private-sector-led growth and citizen economic empowerment, particularly in sectors historically characterised by high barriers to entry.
“The fuel and logistics value chain is a critical artery of the economy, supporting mining, retail, manufacturing and regional trade. Strengthening citizen participation within this space is not only commercially sound it is strategically important for the country’s long-term economic resilience,” he added.
Petrohyper (Pty) Ltd Director, Business Development, Mr. Tshedukani Elijah, reaffirmed that as a wholly citizen-owned company, Petrohyper remains firmly committed to empowering Batswana and promoting meaningful citizen participation across its value chain. He noted that the partnership will play a pivotal role in expanding opportunities for citizen-owned transporters and suppliers within the company’s growing ecosystem.
He further stated “this Memorandum of Agreement represents more than cooperation; it represents empowerment. By strengthening our ecosystem and widening access to opportunities, we are reinforcing our bold commitment to building sustainable systems that drive meaningful and inclusive growth.”
The agreement also positions FNB Botswana to deepen its involvement in sector-specific financing models that integrate lending with structured commercial ecosystems, a strategy the Bank says it intends to replicate across other industries where citizen enterprises are poised for growth.
This initiative represents a shift toward partnership-led development, where financial institutions, corporates and SMEs collaborate to build resilient supply chains and expand industrial participation.
“Our role is evolving from being a financier of transactions to becoming an enabler of economic platforms,” he said. “Where credible commercial ecosystems exist, our responsibility is to provide the capital architecture that allows them to expand and deliver shared value,” concluded Bogatsu.
The MoU will run until 2027 and is expected to facilitate the growth of citizen contractors participating in Petrohyper’s supply chain, while strengthening local logistics capacity and advancing Botswana’s citizen economic empowerment agenda.