BOISA - Botswana Informal Sector Association

BOISA - Botswana Informal Sector Association BOISA is a voice of vendors and hawkers in Botswana.

Happy International Human Rights Day from BOISA. We continue to advocate for inclusive and just societies
10/12/2025

Happy International Human Rights Day from BOISA. We continue to advocate for inclusive and just societies

Today marks the International Day of Persons Living with Disabilities.We recognise and honour persons living with disabi...
03/12/2025

Today marks the International Day of Persons Living with Disabilities.
We recognise and honour persons living with disabilities, and we shine a light on the caregivers whose unpaid care work sustains families, communities, and livelihoods every day.

Botswana informal sector association and the informal workers well represented!✊️✊️✊️
26/11/2025

Botswana informal sector association and the informal workers well represented!✊️✊️✊️

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗔, 𝗘𝗔𝗖 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀-𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸Three Reg...
26/11/2025

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗔, 𝗘𝗔𝗖 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀-𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸

Three Regional Economic Communities (RECs) namely the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA, East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) under the Tripartite arrangement have convened a consultative meeting with Informal Cross-Border Traders (ICBTs) on the Tripartite Simplified Trade Regime (TSTR) Framework.

The consultative meeting, which will run from 24–25 November 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa, has drawn participants from youth and women traders, cross-border trader associations (CBTAs), Civil Society Organisations, and representatives from COMESA, EAC, and SADC. Among the key issues, the participants will be oriented on the overview of the Tripartite STR Framework, key trade documents such as the Certificate of Origin and Customs Declaration, Common List of Eligible Products and solicit youth and women perspectives on STR Rollout.

Developed by the COMESA, EAC and SADC, the Framework aims to make it possible for Small-Scale Cross-Border Traders (SSCBTs) to benefit from tariff preferences and to foster deeper regional integration. It does so by promoting the core principles of trade facilitation namely simplicity, transparency, standardisation, and harmonisation of customs and border procedures as envisioned in regional integration instruments

The rationale behind the TSTR is rooted in the shared commitment of COMESA, EAC, and SADC to ensure that small-scale traders, who constitute a significant portion of cross-border commerce, can benefit meaningfully from the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA). The Framework recognises that in the absence of a simplified regime, only large-scale traders tend to benefit from preferential trade arrangements, leaving small-scale and informal traders.✊️✊️

BOISA JOINS THE WORLD AS WE CELEBRATE💃🎵🎵🎵International Street Vendors Day 2025 Message Street vendors, market vendors an...
14/11/2025

BOISA JOINS THE WORLD AS WE CELEBRATE💃🎵🎵🎵
International Street Vendors Day 2025 Message

Street vendors, market vendors and hawkers are the heart of so many countries and economies. Though hardly recognized or respected by some authorities, they continue to contribute to the beauty and cultural preservation of their different communities and countries. All they require is human and worker rights centred regulation, as well as governments’ support for their growth and sustainability.

StreetNet International persistently advocates for the recognition, respect, inclusion of street vendors in social dialogue processes and acknowledgement of the contribution which the street vendors make to their national economies. As we celebrate the 2025 International Street Vendors Day, we call for the indiscriminate expansion of social protection to all workers, particularly, street vendors, market vendors and hawkers. There is among other things, a need for quality and affordable childcare facilities for the children of street vendors, conducive workplaces with modern WASH facilities, accessible also to persons with disabilities. Improved access to general healthcare and maternity healthcare for everyone is a necessity not to be ignored. No human being should be deprived of healthcare because of their social or economic circumstances. Last but not least, we ardently call upon governments to ratify, domesticate and implement the ILO C190 on the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work to ensure safety and protection from the same for street vendors, market vendors and hawkers.



Nothing For Us Without Us

Signed
Streetnet international
President
Lorraine Ndlovu

BOISA Bereavement MessageThe Botswana Informal Sector Association (BOISA) extends its deepest condolences to the family,...
11/11/2025

BOISA Bereavement Message

The Botswana Informal Sector Association (BOISA) extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Mrs. Metha Pelana, a dedicated and respected member of our association.

Mrs. Pelana was a valued part of our BOISA community, remembered for her commitment, kindness, and contribution to the growth of the informal sector. Her passing is a great loss not only to her loved ones but to all of us who had the privilege of working alongside her.

As BOISA, we mourn her departure and celebrate her life — a life marked by resilience, service, and compassion. May her soul rest in eternal peace, and may her family find comfort and strength during this difficult time.

Rest in Peace, Mrs. Metha Pelana.
From the BOISA Executive and Members

BOISA joins the world in raising awareness about Breast Cancer. BOISA calls for inclusive health policies and community ...
30/10/2025

BOISA joins the world in raising awareness about Breast Cancer. BOISA calls for inclusive health policies and community support systems to reduce unpaid care work to ensure women protect their health

Happy International Day of the Girl Child from BOISA - Botswana Informal Sector Association
11/10/2025

Happy International Day of the Girl Child from BOISA - Botswana Informal Sector Association

“As we celebrate Botswana’s independence, let us work together for a future where dignity, equity, and opportunity are s...
30/09/2025

“As we celebrate Botswana’s independence, let us work together for a future where dignity, equity, and opportunity are shared by all.”
Happy Independence Day Botswana
@59

26/09/2025

PART 2 | Why This Partnership Matters

In her interview, Ms. Molosiwa reflected on how the Yarona Medical Cover could have made a difference in her life during that difficult period. Having direct financial support for medical needs would have eased the burden and helped her recover faster without sacrificing her business income.

Her testimony captures exactly why the BOISA - Botswana Informal Sector Association & Coverlink Insurance Company partnership exists: to give members a safety net that protects both their health and their financial wellbeing. With benefits like daily hospital cash payouts, accident cover, maternity support, and affordable premiums, this program is about restoring dignity, choice, and security when life takes an unexpected turn.

25/09/2025

PART 1 | A Member’s Story

Metha Ralefatsana , host of SMME Growth Zone , sat down with Ms. Pono Mariam Molosiwa, a proud BOISA - Botswana Informal Sector Association member, to hear her powerful journey.

On her way back from Zambia with thrifted clothes she had sourced for her business, Ms. Molosiwa was involved in a serious car accident. Beyond the emotional and physical toll, the incident left her facing heavy financial losses that affected both her health and her livelihood.
Her story reflects the real challenges many entrepreneurs and small business owners face when unexpected events disrupt their lives.

BOISA is raising funds to support a Child Care Center. No Contribution is Too Small. Donations can be made to account de...
24/09/2025

BOISA is raising funds to support a Child Care Center. No Contribution is Too Small. Donations can be made to account details below 9060003156074 SWIFT CODE SBICBWGX

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Gaborone

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