Botswana Insurance Fund Management, Botswana’s Partner in Success Forging into the Retail Space Market leader in Botswana.
As Botswana’s largest and oldest asset manager, Botswana Insurance Fund Management (Bifm) has more than 60 percent of Botswana’s assets under its management. This is the responsibility that is earned by being a leader in Botswana’s asset management market. With a 36 year heritage there is an intimate knowledge of the country and its culture which gives Bifm the winning edge. Botswana is considered a shining example in Africa and Bifm has contributed in no small part to this growth and development. Being part and parcel of building an exemplary country dates back to 1975 when the Botswana Insurance Company (BIC) was formed. BIC was the precursor to Botswana Insurance Holdings Limited (BIHL) which is the parent company for Bifm. Bifm has contributed immensely towards the development of Botswana under a guiding principle of – ‘Development
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of Botswana for Batswana’. Bifm has also achieved major milestones in asset management in Botswana, starting from humble beginnings to market leader. Double digit economic growth that helped Botswana go from being one of the poorest to the fastest growing economies in the world cannot be attributed to minerals alone. Companies such as Bifm were making lifetime investments in property and infrastructure, which were to benefit Batswana in the future. Through a diversified asset class portfolio, Bifm has managed to constantly transform Botswana’s property development fortunes positively. Bifm is headquartered in the iconic Fairgrounds Office Park in Gaborone. Bifm’s flagship property is of a world-class standard with access to lifestyle enhancing services like a gym and a coffee shop. The Head Quarters are designed to make the offices a one-stop shop administrating projects such as Plot 21, the Office of the Ombudsman, the SADC Head Offices in the Central Business District,
and most recently the Airport Junction Shopping Centre to the north of Gaborone and Railpark Mall located in the Gaborone bus rank. These developments consolidate Bifm’s position as one of the pioneers of property development in Botswana. Bifm’s Chief Executive Officer, Tiny Matilda Kgatlwane notes that although Bifm is a company that pursues innovative opportunities that return consistent value, asset management remains the pillar of the organisation. Over the years the investment philosophy has seen the business grow and forge strategic alliances with some of the world’s largest asset management firms. However, proactively venturing into new fields after careful consideration is proving to be a rewarding strategy. Bifm is always looking to diversify the asset portfolio by constantly looking at the potential of asset classes other than equities. Bifm has nurtured non-traditional assets such as private equity, which has seen Bifm get involved in projects in fuel and lubrication (both wholesale & retail), telecommunications, financial processing and outdoor advertising. By going beyond only managing client funds within set benchmarks and mandates Bifm has entrenched its position as a market leader. Deploying significant resources and experience to actively seek out, develop and manage viable investments which has complemented its asset management ventures. The latest venture is the Unit Trust business which will offer Bifm’s extensive market experience to clients with more modest means to invest. The Unit Trust will be accessible for as little as BWP200.00 but expose this investor class to similar returns as enjoyed by institutional investors, in line with their initial investment. With its roots firmly planted in Africa, and its experience in providing innovative solutions for dynamic wealth management in emerging markets, Bifm is committed to Botswana’s success through further development of the capital markets in the financial services sector. Bifm’s track record of servicing institutional clients and pension funds speaks for itself, it is this very track record that makes it an easy transition into retail services. The vast expertise, within the business will continue to make Bifm the first point of reference when one thinks asset management.
www.bifm.co.bw