Report

Making a national public-private partnership work

2026-10-29

What makes a public-private partnership work? This Business Fights Poverty Institute Action Brief explores lessons from Tokafala, Botswana’s enterprise development partnership between the Government, Anglo American, De Beers and Debswana, implemented by TechnoServe. Established in 2014, Tokafala aims to diversify the economy beyond diamonds by strengthening local businesses and creating economic opportunities. With over 12,000 jobs supported, 1,310 enterprises supported and US$5 million in finance mobilised, its experience offers three practical lessons: build to last around a shared challenge, harness each partner’s unique strengths, and keep adapting to unlock the finance, markets and procurement opportunities that businesses need to grow.

What makes a public-private partnership work? This Business Fights Poverty Institute Action Brief explores lessons from Tokafala, Botswana’s enterprise development partnership between the Government, Anglo American, De Beers and Debswana, implemented by TechnoServe. Established in 2014, Tokafala aims to diversify the economy beyond diamonds by strengthening local businesses and creating economic opportunities. With over 12,000 jobs supported, 1,310 enterprises supported and US$5 million in finance mobilised, its experience offers three practical lessons: build to last around a shared challenge, harness each partner’s unique strengths, and keep adapting to unlock the finance, markets and procurement opportunities that businesses need to grow.