The pink economy takes centre stage
Banana Club’s bold vision as the pink economy takes center stage
In a powerful move to redefine Africa’s economic narrative, Banana Club is launching a groundbreaking initiative that places inclusion at the heart of growth. On October 24, 2025, Gaborone will host the inaugural Economic Inclusion Forum, an event designed to challenge conventional thinking and unlock new avenues for prosperity.
The forum’s theme, “Harnessing the Power of the Pink Economy,” is more than just a title; it’s a mission statement. Convened by Banana Club, a non-profit known for championing social equity through art and cultural production, the event will spotlight the market potential of traditionally overlooked groups.
From lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) entrepreneurs to women-led SMEs and youth-driven enterprises, the forum aims to prove that inclusion is not a social side-note but a fundamental driver of economic resilience and innovation.
As Tanlume Enyatseng, the founder and creative director of Banana Club, explains, the current state of economic exclusion is not only unjust but also highly inefficient. “This Forum is about redrawing the map,” he said. “It is time to center the innovation that emerges from the margins.”
Botswana’s stable and visionary landscape makes it the perfect launchpad for this crucial regional dialogue. The forum will provide a dynamic platform for collaboration and learning, with sessions covering everything from the business case for LGBTQIA+ inclusion to legal frameworks for development and the transformative role of art and culture.
Enyatseng is quick to point out that this isn’t a rights-based meeting. “It is a market-forward, data-driven initiative,” he stated, positioning the global Pink Economy as a powerful lever for regional transformation. His vision is to see Botswana lead the charge in this new economic era, a sentiment that resonates with Vice President Gaolathe’s call for institutions to become “instruments of the future.”
The forum’s energy will spill into the streets on October 25 with the Banana Club Block Party™, a vibrant celebration of Southern Africa’s underground music and youth culture. This fusion of a serious economic dialogue with a joyous cultural event perfectly captures Banana Club’s ethos: Joy is strategy. Inclusion is growth. Culture is capital.
As global pressure mounts on the private sector to align purpose with profit, the Banana Club Economic Inclusion Forum offers a compelling invitation to local and international stakeholders. It’s a chance to engage in a conversation that will shape a future where inclusion is not an afterthought but the very engine of economic growth.
