This week Mr Kgotso Elvis Bannalotlhe sits for the first time behind his Letshego desk, marking the commencement of his appointment as Country Chief Executive Officer for Letshego Botswana (Letshego Financial Services Botswana) and Regional Chief Executive for Eswatini and Lesotho.
Kgotso takes over the reins from Fergus Ferguson, who transferred to a Group role as Regional Chief Executive, Turnaround Markets (Kenya; Tanzania; Rwanda; Nigeria and Ghana). In addition to leading Letshego’s Botswana strategy, team and operations, Kgotso’s responsibilities include regional executive oversight for an additional two Letshego Southern African markets, namely Eswatini and Lesotho.
Aupa Monyatsi, Group Chief Executive of Letshego Holdings Limited, commented, “We are delighted to welcome Kgotso to our Letshego Family. He brings with him a rich and diverse personal inventory of banking and financial services experience, making him an ideal candidate to lead our Botswana business into its next phase of differentiated impact and inclusive growth. We look forward to many exciting years ahead.”
Kgotso Bannalotlhe is a well-experienced banker and financial services expert, with over 19 years of experience in regional and international financial institutions. He commenced his last role as Managing Director Access Bank Botswana (previously BancABC) five years ago, prior to which he was Director of Corporate and Investment Banking, Country Treasurer and Head of Markets at Barclays Bank Botswana (now Absa Botswana). Other blue chip financial institutions in Kgotso’s career include First National Bank Botswana and Standard Chartered Bank Botswana. Kgotso holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Melbourne and an Executive Masters in Positive Leaders and Strategy (ExMPLS) from IE University (Madrid, Spain).
Letshego remains committed to growing its ecosystem of specialist talent, reinforcing the Group’s momentum in achieving its ‘Plan 5’ ambitions, the final phase of its 6-2-5 strategy execution plan that commenced in 2020. Kgotso’s appointment adds further credence to the pipeline of financial sector talent available within Botswana, and in turn, strengthening the pipeline of future leaders for the regional brand as a whole.
Commenting on his appointment to lead the regional inclusive finance provider’s Botswana subsidiary, and oversee Eswatini and Lesotho operations, Kgotso Bannalotlhe added, “Inclusive finance is banking with a clear purpose – at Letshego that purpose is to ‘improve lives’. I am delighted to join a dynamic and ambitious team of professionals who are as passionate about making a difference in the daily lives of Batswana and fellow Africans as I am about building a lasting legacy. A legacy that enables more informal sector individuals to play an active role in building micro-economies within our communities. Entrepreneurship is a critical contributor to sustaining economic development in emerging economies.”
This year Letshego celebrates 25 years of improving lives in Africa. The Group remains committed to continuously enhancing its commercially inclusive finance strategy, achieving a demonstrable impact in socio and economic development across its 11 country pan-African footprint. Digitalisation remains an integral catalyst in Letshego increasing access to the brand’s range of product innovations and solutions.