We recently connected with Andrew Kgorane and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Andrew thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

I don’t have a firm, but I offer my services directly to individuals. Having worked in banking since earning my Finance degree, I strive to share my knowledge, particularly in personal finance and small to medium enterprise financial management, with those who haven’t had the opportunity to pursue higher education but aspire to improve their financial well-being or make their small businesses successful.

Andrew, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My journey in providing personal finance education to underserved communities began during my time at university, where I was an active member of the University of Botswana Finance Society and eventually became its President. After graduating, I joined a bank’s credit department, where I befriended a Direct Sales Agent who also worked part-time at a radio station. I shared my passion for financial literacy with her, and she arranged a spot for me to teach personal finance on her show every Monday morning. The show ran for two years, and I later collaborated with another presenter on a different radio station for an additional year. Altogether, I have been involved in this work for over three years, and I continue to speak at various events.

My efforts have led to significant opportunities, including my selection for the Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) program on Leadership and Civic Engagement in 2018, where I received six weeks of training at the University of Washington. In 2024, I was selected for the Mandela Washington Fellowship under the Leadership in Civic Engagement track, hosted at Drexel University. Both programs were sponsored by the U.S. State Department.

My philosophy is that as Africans, we must start with the little we have and use it to build toward our dreams. We shouldn’t wait for external funding to pursue our goals. I aim to help people save and invest, whether by starting small businesses or seizing legitimate business opportunities that can secure their financial future.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I never imagined I would do anything truly significant or purposeful in my life until I read “Think Big” by Dr. Ben Carson. In high school, I was a young man with low confidence, trying to boost it by joining the debate team, though progress was slow. During one practice debate, I froze completely. Afterward, a teammate approached me, asking why I had frozen and what I was so afraid of. He pointed out how much I had to say in conversations, yet when it came time to speak on the podium, I faltered. He was right—I struggled to let my true self shine and often chose to sit quietly in the background whenever I could.

One thing I did enjoy was dedicated library time, where I could explore and borrow books. At the time, I was drawn to fictional novels, particularly by Danielle Steel. On one occasion, while we were tasked with arranging books in the library, I stumbled upon a book titled “Think Big.” My initial reaction was, “Here we go again another boring self-help book.” But something compelled me to read the back cover, and I was instantly intrigued by the story of a young boy from the inner city, raised by an uneducated mother, who went on to become the world’s leading neurosurgeon.

In that book, I saw a reflection of myself, and it became a guide for how I could shape my future. As a young man still navigating life, I believe I am on the right path. I have faith that one day, my hard work and commitment to improving the lives of others will earn me my own standing ovation.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My answer to that isn’t rooted in my professional pursuits or work. In 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I lost my mother. On top of that, I had already lost several family members and friends. My anxiety skyrocketed, and depression set in. I had never experienced such a dark period in my life. I lost faith in everything and couldn’t see a future for myself. My drinking increased as I struggled to cope. Recovering from that dark place and reclaiming my life was one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done. It took me two long years to feel whole again and rediscover my sense of purpose.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kgoranea?igsh=cjBxNHY3dThma2l3&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/zgs1i7U3SUYjJgqe/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-kgorane-804284109?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Image Credits

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