Business Partners International Namibia has appointed Christy Kotze as its new Country Manager, effective June 1, 2024.
Kotze, who succeeds Sam Ikela, brings over 19 years of experience in Namibia’s banking sector, having worked at Bank Windhoek Ltd for 12 years, most recently as the Manager of Business Banking and Sales.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce with a focus on Risk Management and Human Resources Management from Regent Business School and has recently completed a Management Development Programme at the University of Stellenbosch Business School.
Kotze’s appointment comes 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,” the small and medium-sized enterprises financing company said.
In the long term, Kotze plans to grow BPI’s profitability by increasing the client base and diversifying revenue streams while financing and investing in businesses that contribute significantly to job creation, economic growth, and sustainable development.
“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 organizations, industry associations, and government bodies.”
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.
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% of approvals going to indigenous Namibian entrepreneurs, facilitating the creation of over 2,000 jobs.
