BW’s digital drive hits new gear
Boasting the potential to redefine Botswana’s economic landscape, the country’s digital drive is stepping up the gears.
This was evident at the second Annual Insights Conference last week, with the two-day event hailed as a launchpad for a bold national roadmap.
Organised by JRK Training & Consulting and held at Phakalane Golf Estate Hotel from 9 – 10 September, the conference ran under the theme ‘The Digitalisation Imperative’, bringing together key figures from government, business and technology to forge a path toward a new, data-driven economy.
In her opening remarks, JRK Managing Director (MD), Constance Storom noted digitalisation is no longer a future goal but a present necessity.
“We designed this platform to move Botswana from possibility to performance and from dialogue to delivery,” she explained, setting a tone of urgency and action that resonated throughout the proceedings.
Storom’s sentiments were echoed by Business Botswana President, Neo Nwako and Minister of Communications and Innovation, David Tshere, who officially unveiled the Botswana Digital Economy and Innovation Network Roadmap.
The roadmap is an ambitious blueprint with specific targets, chief amongst them creating 100, 000 digital jobs by 2030.
Other important targets include delivering universal and affordable internet access, and pushing digital literacy to 30 percent across generations.
It also aims to grow the ICT sector’s share of GDP from three to 20 percent and move all government services online to improve transparency and efficiency.
Minister Tshere commended JRK for creating a forum for diagnosis, dialogue and delivery. He also made mention of government’s preparatory work, including the recent passing of the Data Protection Act and Cybersecurity Bill.
The conference featured a compelling keynote address from UK tech leader, Errol Nembhard of The K3Y, who warned that Botswana must move beyond being mere consumers of technology.
He urged the nation’s youth to be proactive and become creators.
“The diamonds of the future will be mined from data, connectivity, and creativity. The future will not wait; it belongs to those who innovate!” Nembhard emphasised.
His message reinforced the need to leverage Botswana’s high internet penetration for productive output, not just passive consumption.
International guest, Montsheng Mokhwesana, a member of the G20 Presidential Digital Transformation Committee, joined local tech innovators in a series of dynamic debates.
Discussions focused on how digitalisation can empower Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), improve public services and unlock the potential of the youth.
Real-world examples of progress were showcased, from telemedicine initiatives connecting remote clinics to Gaborone specialists, to mobile money platforms that are already accelerating transactions for small businesses.
Wrapping-up, Storom vowed that the Insights Conference will continue to serve as a critical platform for collaboration and transformation.
She stressed no single entity can achieve this change alone, highlighting the need for cooperation between ministries, businesses, educators, and communities.
