Visa announces inaugural She’s Next Botswana winners — women driving growth and connecting communities
4 November 2025, Gaborone: Visa is proud to announce the winners of the She’s Next Botswana competition, marking the first time female entrepreneurship has been recognised under Visa’s flagship She’s Next initiative in the country.
According to the IMF, closing gender gaps in the workforce could boost global GDP by up to 35%, highlighting just how much potential lies in empowering women entrepreneurs¹. This is among the reasons why Visa’s She’s Next has come to Botswana, to continue helping women-owned small businesses grow through funding, mentorship, and business training.
The winner of the top prize, BWP 350 000 is PK Maxi Farms, who impressed judges with its innovative approach and community impact. Mr. Solar secured second place, winning BWP 200 000, while Phemo Aesthetics claimed BWP 150 000 in third.
According to Salome Makau, Country Manager for Visa Southern Africa, the programme’s expansion comes just at the right time. “Botswana has one of the highest rates of entrepreneurial potential on the continent,” she said. “We’ve seen women here launch businesses that are creative, resilient, and community-focused. She’s Next gives them the boost they deserve. Not just for funding, but for access, mentorship, and a sense of belonging in the wider business ecosystem. This is where Africa’s future lies.”
The event, held last week in Gaborone at the Royal Arya, brought together women entrepreneurs from across the country alongside business leaders and policymakers. It marked an exciting milestone as She’s Next expanded into Botswana for the first time, adding to Visa’s growing network of entrepreneurial initiatives across Africa.
For Lesedi Masilo of PK Farms, the win is deeply meaningful. “I’m so grateful to Visa for this opportunity. It will help me grow my business faster and create jobs for people in my community. It’s a dream come true.”
The five She’s Next Botswana finalists represent a wide range of industries from agriculture and tourism to education and renewable energy. Each will take part in Visa’s tailored mentorship and training programme, which offers practical guidance to help strengthen operations and scale growth.
PK Maxi Farms was born out of the Covid-19 pandemic; this female led agricultural enterprise in Botswana is transforming the nations’ food landscape by tackling import dependency and advancing sustainable farming.
Mr Solar (Tumsyn Pty Ltd) is a 100% citizen- and woman-owned solar energy company based in Botswana, focused on providing sustainable energy solutions for rural, commercial, and industrial clients.
Phemo Aesthetics is a clinic in Botswana dedicated to non-invasive skin treatments. The company provides evidence-based care for acne, hyperpigmentation, and anti-aging, helping clients achieve healthy, confident skin through safe and effective procedures.
City & Safari International is a tourism solutions company operating in Botswana specializing in designing and delivering authentic, sustainable, and impact-driven travel experiences across Southern Africa.
Dr. Wada’s Tutorials is a youth-centered education enterprise that bridges the gap between traditional classroom learning and personalized academic support in Botswana.
For Visa, She’s Next is part of a broader commitment to financial inclusion and small business empowerment across Africa and the world. In partnership with the UNDP, Makau shared that Visa will be inviting an additional 200 female entrepreneurs to apply for its capacity-building programme focused on enterprise development. “This initiative will also include a series of targeted masterclasses designed to support growth within the manufacturing sector — an area that aligns closely with the Botswana government’s strategic priority of strengthening industry to drive economic growth and job creation,” she said.
“From this programme, six entrepreneurs will be selected to be onboarded within the supply chain of Cresta Hotel, further ensuring that more women entrepreneurs have access to the tools and knowledge needed to scale their businesses and contribute meaningfully to the economy.
With women making up a growing share of Botswana’s entrepreneurs, initiatives like this and She’s Next are helping to close the funding gap and create a more equitable, sustainable economy.
By celebrating the 2025 winners and reflecting on the success of She’s Next across the continent to date, this event has cemented its place as a platform that champions women entrepreneurs, strengthens their businesses, and drives progress toward a more inclusive economy.
“We are so proud of the finalists and look forward to this next chapter in their business journeys, with Visa alongside to support them and see them thrive, and we cannot wait for more female-led businesses to take on opportunities to grow, which in turn will boost Botswana’s economy,” Makau concluded.
About Visa Inc.
Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, reliable, and secure payment network, enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive. For more information, visit www.visa.co.za.