Accenture has a growing presence in Botswana and indeed the whole of Southern Africa. And leaders like Bashi Gaetsaloe—even-headed people with a broad, clear vision of how business can contribute on the African continent and beyond—are energizing growth and innovation.
As Botswana's country managing director, Gaetsaloe is firmly rooted: he was born and raised in Botswana and speaks of Africa and its potential for growth with a positive glow. An economics graduate of Yale University, he readily integrates the panoramic view with the regional and sees the synergies between community-building and global enterprise.
Gaetsaloe expresses excitement about representing a globally groundbreaking organization on a continent where opportunities are burgeoning and where Accenture activities are helping organizations achieve high performance and contributing to development. "Accenture builds leadership," he says with quiet conviction. Accenture has set out to consciously nurture leadership within its own ranks, and in this respect alone Gaetsaloe sees the growing presence of the company in West, East and Southern African as an undoubted asset.
He says Accenture's work supports the private sector and governments. Involvement with financial services companies, independent electoral committees and revenue services in many African countries increases transparency, fiscal discipline and development. "Accenture's work with the Botswana Unified Revenue Services is a shining example," Gaetsaloe says, "the streamlining of the revenue system gives a single view of the taxpayer, allowing the government to consciously plan what it wants to do with taxes."
In the private sector Accenture is broadening its presence in Botswana. Gaetsaloe says "Botswana is alive with opportunities in gold mining and power generation." He sees an expansion of the Accenture footprint, which is biggest in the mining sector, into new industry groupings. In financial service he anticipates plenty of growth in the region as banks expand across Africa and then consolidate and standardize across the continent.
Gaetsaloe feels "extremely privileged" to work with some of the most talented people in Botswana, who share Accenture's vision to become one of the world's leading companies, and of improving the way the world works and lives. "People are at the heart of everything we do," says Gaetsaloe, "whether we are implementing a new system or re-designing a company's supply chain—the passion, innovation, and sheer love of the job is what makes us successful time and time again." The fact that Accenture employees own shares in the company through an employee share purchase scheme is a great advantage, which not only keeps staff engaged, but also positions Accenture ahead in terms of the generally accepted principles of Citizen Economic Empowerment.
A board member of both the Botswana Red Cross and the Botswana Tennis Association, Gaetsaloe finds time to share his knowledge and experience to make these non-governmental organizations more effective. He says, "Leadership is a privilege, and we all have a duty to become better citizens and give back in ways that make an impact and improve our communities in sustainable ways."
Married with two young children Gaetsaloe is clearly invested in the future of Accenture and of his country. "Botswana is a great country and I am proud to be part of the new generation of leaders who will write the next chapter of our journey," he says.