This article first appeared in Finwise Exchange.
Itumeleng Moremong of Apex Group Botswana explains how Botswana’s fund administration sector has the potential to become a model for innovation, inclusion, and excellence in the region.
Navigating fund administration in trying times
Botswana’s economy, like many others in the region, faces significant challenges. The sluggish global diamond market which has long been the cornerstone of the country’s revenue, coupled with recent uncertainties surrounding U.S. trade policies and tariffs, have created a tough environment for growth. The International Monetary Fund forecasts a modest -0.4% GDP growth for Botswana in 2025. Despite these headwinds, Botswana’s financial services sector offers hope and opportunity. It is a space where resilience can be built, diversification can take root, and where innovation can help drive sustainable progress.
Building a backbone for financial growth
As Botswana works to strengthen its financial services industry, modernising fund administration has become essential. Fund administration provides the operational, reporting, and governance backbone that asset managers and institutional investors rely on. For too long, these services have largely been outsourced or reliant on imported systems and external expertise. Upon taking up the role of Country Head at Apex Fund Services Botswana, I saw a clear opportunity to change this. Our mission has been to help deliver first-class back-office support, innovative technology, and long-term investment in Botswana’s talent ensuring that fund administration meets international best practice while reflecting the needs and ambitions of our local market. This mission is rooted in unwavering discipline and integrity, values learned from my beloved late mother (Linah Kelebogile Mohohlo).
Tailored solutions: Moving beyond “One-size-fits-all”
Tailoring business solutions is the first step in modernising fund administration. At Apex Fund Services Botswana, we focus on providing tailored middle- and back-office solutions. These services are designed to help asset managers of all sizes operate efficiently and cost-effectively. Our support includes open-ended daily administration and reporting, treasury services, post trade support and custom reporting tools that allow asset managers to focus on growth while keeping overheads manageable.
Leveraging technology
Technology plays a key role in modernising fund administration. We also deploy Paxus, a leading fund administration software solution. Paxus replaces multiple legacy systems and integrates all separate processes, including securities portfolio, allocation system, general ledger, fee calculation, and share registry module into a single smooth operation. This enables us to offer increased efficiency, reduced risk of errors and support for complex funds. These tools support automated reporting aligned with Botswana’s regulatory standards, provide secure cloud-based access, and help us deliver real-time dashboards that enhance transparency for our clients.
Empowering local talent for long-term impact
However, even the best systems and technology require skilled people to drive them. That is why investing in local talent lies at the heart of our strategy. Apex Fund Services Botswana prides itself on being the first fund administrator in the country with a full local team led by a local head. Our aim is to build a sustainable pipeline of Botswana professionals with both technical and governance expertise. Investing in our local talent pool is not just good for business, but it is also an investment in the longevity and relevance for the fund administration industry in Botswana.
Even in these challenging economic times, we are optimistic about what lies ahead. Botswana’s fund administration sector has the potential to become a model for innovation, inclusion, and excellence in the region. Through a combination of technology, local empowerment, and world-class service delivery, we at Apex Fund Services Botswana are committed to supporting our clients, our colleagues, and our country in building a financial services sector that is both resilient and globally competitive.
