Absa Bank Botswana Hackathon and Incubation Program
Absa Bank Botswana launched its inaugural virtual hackathon in January 2021 bringing together young leading innovators from across Botswana in its effort to pioneer the growth of FinTechs.
The Hackathon and Incubation Program will serve a dual purpose by bringing together young developers to solution for the challenges that are faced by SME’s in Botswana. The hackathon event will provide an opportunity for young developers to engage with SME’s, identify their challenges and develop innovative solutions. We also seek to assist young local talent to build and grow their fintech business through our business incubation program
Following the announcement of the top three teams in March, the youth developers have been involved in the incubation and training component of the programme. The entrepreneurship training was conducted by TheNeoHub, a private innovation hub created by a young Motswana woman. The incubation program also entails learning sessions with industry experts on various aspect of entrepreneurship and technology dedicated to assisting the young innovators prepare for the world of entrepreneurship. The industry experts come from various parastatals including Local Enterprise Authority, BOCRA, CIPA, and Intellegra Holdings.
The second Hackathon and Incubation program will be launched later on in the year.
Women in Business Webinars – Reimagining Business for Women Entrepreneurs
Absa Bank Botswana is hosting quarterly webinars targeting women entrepreneurs with the main objective of imparting knowledge and information that will inspire and educate women who are already in business and those who are aspiring entrepreneurs. The first webinar was held in 2020 and included a panel of business and technology experts who shared their experiences of running successful businesses.
Absa Bank Botswana has been hosting monthly ReadytoWork sessions for university students and youth in an effort to assist them with the transition from school to Work. The sessions which began in March have to date covered savings, investments, debt management and career planning and management. All of the sessions were led and delivered by Absa colleagues.
About the fund
The F.G. Mogae Scholarship Fund was established in 2008 in honour of the former president of Botswana, His Excellency Festus Gontebanye Mogae. It was established to provide financial assistance to deserving Batswana who cannot afford to pursue their masters degree.
The F.G. Mogae Scholarship Fund speaks directly to our citizenship pillar which focuses on education and skills development. We recognize the critical need to continue supporting Batswana who wish to pursue a higher education because we would like to contribute towards the diversifying and specialization of the skills that Botswana requires to develop and grow.
During the first 10 years of the fund, scholarships were awarded to students studying various subjects at a registered institution of learning in Botswana. We were able to support 38 students during this period. In 2018, we re-launched the scholarship fund with an injection of 3 million pula period which enabled us to provide scholarships to an additional 38 students in one year. In 2021, we launched a call for applications with a focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects and onboarded 6 more students who are currently studying for their masters. To date over 80 young Batswana have been supported with financing for their masters.
Criteria
- Botswana citizens only
- Aged between 18-35 years
- Registered or intends to register for a master’s degree on a full time basis
- Aggregate pass of 75% and outstanding performance in the final two years of undergraduate studies
- Proof of financial need
- Involvement in community and extracurricular activities
Restrictions
- No criminal record
- Individual can only benefit from a scholarship once; no repeat scholarships allowed
- Individual cannot be on secondment with a company
How to apply
Download the form below, complete it and email it to: FGMogaeSF@absa.africa
AFG Mogae Scholarship Fund application form (PDF)
Need more help?
Call us on:
+2673159575 (Contact centre)
0800 600 444 (BTC Toll Free)
150 (Mascom Toll Free)
Email us:
Botswana.CustomerService@absa.africa