Business Partners International Namibia, a leading risk financier of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), has appointed Christy Kotze as its new Country Manager, effective June 1, 2024. Kotze succeeds Sam Ikela, who left the company in 2023.
Kotze’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment as BPI Namibia embarks on disbursing the second round of funding for SME businesses in the country. With his extensive experience in the banking sector, he is well-positioned to drive growth in Namibia. His focus will be on creating awareness of BPI’s offerings and ensuring that established SME segments in Namibia are informed about the company’s impact on their business ventures.
“In the medium term, I will be focusing on three areas: market penetration, product diversification, and partnerships,” said Kotze. “We will expand BPI’s market presence by targeting underserved but well-established SME segments. We will introduce tailored financial offerings and services that address specific needs such as working capital loans, trade finance, and risk management, aligning with market conditions and economic cycles. Additionally, we aim to strengthen our network through collaborations with local organisations, industry associations, and government bodies.”
In the long term, Kotze plans to grow BPI’s profitability by increasing the client base and diversifying revenue streams. He aims to finance and invest in businesses that contribute significantly to job creation, economic growth, and sustainable development while enhancing BPI’s reputation as a trusted partner for SMEs.
Kotze brings over 19 years of experience in Namibia’s banking sector. Before joining BPI, he worked at Bank Windhoek Ltd for 12 years, most recently as the Manager of Business Banking and Sales. He also has prior experience at First National Bank.
BPI has been expanding exponentially and announced the second round of funding worth US$20 million in 2022 to benefit SME owners in Namibia and Malawi. Kotze will continue the ambitious work already underway in Namibia, ensuring that more small business owners have access to affordable and long-term financing.
Kotze holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce with a focus on Risk Management and Human Resources Management from Regent Business School and recently completed a Management Development Programme at the University of Stellenbosch Business School.
About Business Partners International Namibia
Business Partners International is a specialist risk finance company for formal small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda and Uganda with its headquarters in South Africa. BPI began its operations in Namibia in 2014 through a limited life fund with a five-year investment period. During that time, BPI approved investments worth US$12.1 million, with 97 percent of approvals going to indigenous Namibian entrepreneurs, facilitating the creation of over 2,000 jobs.
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