CCA and Botswana National Library Service to Sign MoU

The Competition and Consumer Authority (CCA) and the Botswana National Library Service (BNLS) will on Wednesday 12th April 2023 sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The signing ceremony will take place at 10:00 HRS at the CCA head office at Plot 28, Matsitama Road, Main Mall, Gaborone.

The CCA is established under section 4 of the Competition Act No. 4 of 2018 with the principal objective of the prevention of, and redress for anti-competitive practices in the economy. The CCA is further mandated to protect the rights of consumers against unfair business practices by implementing the Consumer Protection Act No 5 of 2018. The two Acts empower the CCA to among others; educate consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities, and investigate complaints about anti-competitive and unfair business practices.

Botswana National Library Service (BNLS) is established under section 3 of the National Library Services Act Cap 58:02 of 1967 with the mandate to preserve the national literary heritage for posterity and provide public access to information and knowledge for education, research and recreational purposes through lending and reference services.

BNLS has a network of 45 public libraries and 59 Village Reading Rooms across the country. Currently, CCA operates from its head office in Gaborone, and a branch in Francistown.

The MoU is expected to facilitate consumer access to CCA’s services across the country. Among others, consumers will be able to file their complaints and receive educational materials through the countrywide BNLS network; starting at 12 public libraries being; Mahalapye, Serowe, Selibe-Phikwe, Kasane, Maun, Shakawe, Ghanzi, Hukuntsi, Tsabong, Jwaneng, Kanye and Lobatse.

The MoU is expected to be signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Mr. Kagiso Kitso Kemoeng, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Competition and Consumer Authority Ms. Tebelelo Pule.