An elite group of at least 30 of Botswana’s top financial officers from medium to large firms got together for the first historic gathering of the country's finance chiefs, under the Executive Communities banner.
Close to 30 CFOs from large and medium-sized companies gathered at Hilton Garden Inn Botswana for the inaugural dinner, which brought together the country's top finance minds under the Executive Communities banner. Executive Communities connects finance, HR and IT executives, boosting their knowledge, networks and careers through down-to-earth engagement, world-class events and original content.
The event, described as overdue and necessary, was part of an initiative to establish communities across Africa, adding Botswana to the list of strong finance executive communities that currently includes South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda.
The dinner marked the debut of what many believe should become a permanent fixture on the country’s executive calendar.
“This is the first time we’ve had something deliberate, just for CFOs,” one executive said. “We’ve had small, informal interactions before, but nothing structured like this. It’s long overdue.”
The significance of the evening went beyond networking. For many in the room, it was the first opportunity to speak candidly about the pressures of the role, the state of the Botswana economy and how finance leaders can collectively respond.
“Most of us are dying in our little corners,” one participant admitted. “You’re expected to have all the answers, but there hasn’t really been a space to compare notes or lean on peers who understand exactly what the role demands.”
Persistent concerns
Across mining, financial services, manufacturing and public entities, CFOs described a common reality: shrinking margins, rising regulatory complexity and increasing expectations to act as strategic partners to the business, often without the tools or talent needed to do so effectively.
Skills shortages within finance teams emerged as a persistent concern.
“Finance has historically been the dumping ground,” another CFO added. “When someone couldn’t cope elsewhere, they landed in finance. That’s catching up with us now, because the role has become far more complex.”
Technology, particularly artificial intelligence and automation, featured heavily in the discussion. While there was little fear of CFOs being replaced, there was broad agreement that the nature of finance work is changing rapidly.
“In this day and age of AI, we should not still be running businesses on Excel,” one participant said. “Data management is now a strategic issue.”
Executives acknowledged that lower-level transactional roles will inevitably be affected.
Striking a chord
“Those jobs will change or disappear,” another attendee said. “But that’s not a threat if we get it right. Technology gives us efficiency and creates space to think, to plan and to grow the business.”
That shift reinforces how CFOs increasingly view their role.
“My role is not just about numbers,” one executive explained. “It’s strategic. It’s about decision-making, scenario planning and helping leadership navigate uncertainty.”
A recurring theme was the absence of mentorship and succession planning within the CFO profession itself.
“There’s a real gap between being a controller and becoming a CFO,” one participant noted. “We don’t create enough opportunities for upcoming finance leaders to learn from those who’ve been there.”
Executives supported the idea that future engagements should deliberately include high-potential finance professionals alongside CFOs, helping to build a pipeline of talent.
The format of the debut dinner also struck a chord. CFOs favoured panel-style discussions, practical roundtables and the inclusion of subject-matter experts on areas such as accounting standards, ESG, technology and governance.
“These topics evolve,” one executive said. “What matters is that the conversations benefit everyone, across industries.”
Perhaps the clearest message of the evening was that this should not be a once-off.
“This has to be the first of many,” one CFO said encouragingly. “We’ve reached a point where a CFO community is not optional. We can all learn from this.”
For the country’s finance leaders, it was the beginning of a long-overdue conversation, and the foundation of a community determined not to face the future alone.
Executive Communities director KC Rottok Chesaina assured attendees that the dinner would not be a once-off, calling on partners to support the formal establishment of a CFO community in Gaborone. CFO South Africa community manager Thekiso Anthony Lefifi added that Botswana’s finance leaders would be integrated into upcoming CFO events in South Africa, creating a cross-border platform for shared insight, peer learning and collaboration.
Those in attendance were:
Angelina Mogorosi, Lenmed Health Bokamoso Private Hospital
Ian Modubule, Debswana
Jaco Maritz, MMG
Joseph Jose, Orange
KC Rottok Chesaina, CFO South Africa
Lebogang Chabo-Seitshiro, NTT Nissan
Malebogo Seoke, Letshego
Moagi Kgosikhumo, Exclusive Life
Modiri Seoke, Barloworld Equipment Botswana
Mohamed Osman, Sefalana Group
Mpho Lynn Mogasha, Botswana Stock Exchange
Obonye Marage, Air Botswana
Olerato Mphoyakgosi, Avani Hotels
Pearl Mokgolodi, Level 55
Pearl Mosweu, Armstrongs
Phindile Ndlandla, Letshego
Pulafela Isaacs, Letlole La Rona
Ratang Icho-Molebatsi, Access Bank Plc
Reza Samdjee, Orange
Ricardo Sardien, Old Mutual Botswana
Rorisang Modikana, Letlole La Rona
Tapiwa Butale, Standard Chartered Bank
Tashatha Patella, Benfield
Thekiso Lefifi, CFO SA
Tsaone Raboloko, Bank Gaborone
Tshenolo Phirie, Sandvik
Tshepang Magang, Gambling Authority
Yame Sechele, Air Botswana
