BSE upbeat about 2019

Botswana Stock Exchange Limited (BSEL) CEO Thapelo Tsheole anticipates that 2019 will be a much better year for the bourse than the previous one in terms of increase in bond market performance.

Tsheole made the remarks during the opening bell ceremony on Friday. He revealed that the Botswana bond market in the region remains one of the diversified after South Africa, hence offering a positive hope to help revamp the country’s economy in 2019.

He said the BSE is keen on working closely with relevant stakeholders to turnaround the year with the aim of strengthening the bond market performance. Tsheole said a significant step will be taken in the New Year as the Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will be allowed to list shares on the Stock Exchange through the Tshipidi Board.

“This significant milestone of offering the SMEs to list shares will further increase retail clients’ participation. We have set a target of 100,000 clients through the retail clients’ participation by 2021 and so far we have reached 91,000 – a significant step going forward,” he said.

He said that the Government bonds raised P2, 513,000 million from new issuances and re-openings whereas the corporate bonds raised over P687 million in 2018. The number of total bonds listed from both government and corporate increased in 2018 as compared to 2017.

The Government bonds listed in 2018 stood at seven; an increase from five in 2017. Corporate bonds stood at 42 increasing from 38 in 2017 with 2018 closing with a total of 49 combined bonds both from government and corporate sector. This is an increment from 43 recorded in 2017.

2018 market performance highlights

Tsheole said three new listings entered the stock exchange with Banc ABC, BBS and Seed Co International Limited listing on the bourse, adding that there were two equity Delistings by African Energy Resources Limited and Blue.  

Total equity turnover of P1862.2 million was recorded with the highest single turnover in 2018 being P458.6 million recorded on the 15^th of November. In terms of trading, the top 5 traded counters were Sechaba Brewery Holdings Limited came out top with P481. 6 million, Letshego Holdings Limited at P425.9 million, New African Properties with P298.4 million, CA Sales Holdings Limited P195.3 million and FNBB registering P80.9 million.

Tsheole said the total securities turnover of P4.4 billion was recorded as compared to the P3.2 billion in 2017, a significant increase which puts 2019 as new dawn for greater heights of success.

2019 investment prospects

Tsheole revealed that the BSE has a number of investment projects centred around technology such as the Data Display Screens which he said will assist with information sharing as well as keeping the market updated. He said the screens will also have space for advertising, hence generating income for BSE.

An Electronic Voting system for listed companies is another technological advancement that will be initiated and it will enable the investors to access their accounts online, enabling e-voting during the AGM for listed entities. Also a Mentorship Programme for the SMEs will be on the cards to assist the latter benefit from understanding the advantages of listing on the exchange.