28 Aug 2024

Government through the Digital Transformation Strategy (SmartBots) aims to drive digital transformation across the economy and society.

Minister of Communications, Knowledge and Technology, Honourable Thulagano Segokgo thus noted that in rolling out SmartBots, Botswana aspired to increase her overall competitiveness and economic diversification as well as to position the as a leader in Africa in digital innovation.

The Minister was giving a keynote address at the 58th session of the International Council for Information Technology in Government Administration (ICA) in Gaborone on Tuesday. 

He noted that broadening the digital and innovation ecosystem was a key strategic pathway for building inclusive, sustainable and growth-led development.

 “We are providing state-of-the-art technology infrastructure to over 500 villages across Botswana in a phased manner through the village connectivity project to close the connectivity gap,” he said, adding that the project connected public facilities such as schools, hospitals and kgotlas to high-speed Internet at defined digital connectivity standards.

He said the impact of the first phase of the project included connecting 1 138 public facilities across 144 villages and about 1.6 million Batswana, noting that it was 70 per cent of the population as per the 2022 census.

He said the SmartBots free Wi-Fi was accessed by more than 470 000 users per week at connected public facilities, and that 609 schools were connected empowering a community of over 380 000 pupils with e-learning and other digital tools.

Minister Segokgo explained that SmartBots strategy was built on existing policies and the regulatory framework around digital development, adding ‘it defined a higher digital ambition taking into account technological developments to date as well as evolving trends’.

Like other African countries, the minister said Botswana was faced with challenges such as limited infrastructure, restricted access to technology and capacity gaps which presented opportunities for creative solutions and collaborative efforts.

He observed that addressing the challenges could help unlock economic development, improve governance and enhance public services.

“By putting together our resources, expertise and experiences, we can accelerate digital transformation and close the digital divide in developing countries,” he said.

The minister said sharing best practices, successful case studies and innovative solutions across borders would provide valuable insights and strategies that could be adapted to local situations.

Additionally, he said investing in training and development programmes was also key in building expertise to empower the workforce with the skills needed for digital transformation and sustainable progress.

The Minister added that partnering with global technology leaders was necessary to improve and expand the digital infrastructure. 

“Reliable connectivity and advanced technologies are the backbone of effective digital governance. In connecting our countries, we are able to build the foundations towards continental integration envisioned in the African Continental Free Trade Area and unlocking its full potential,” he said.

Minister Segokgo said the legal and regulatory environment for many African countries was trailing behind technological advancements and emphasised the need to close the gap. 

The three-day conference themed: Smart Governance For Tomorrow’s Challenges: Resilient Digital Public Services And Infrastructure, afforded participants the opportunity to share best practices on harnessing the power of information technology to enhance governance, drive economic growth and improve the quality of life for citizens around the world.

Minister Segokgo thus encouraged participants to engage, share experiences and explore new avenues for collaboration. 

He emphasised that the success of digital transformation efforts depended on the strength of partnerships and commitment to overcoming challenges. 

“Let us work together to shape a digital future that is inclusive, equitable and transformative. Together we can create a future where technology bridges gaps, fosters growth and drives progress for all,” he said. 

He said the ICA was in a strategic position to be part of the journey, and would afford the continent the opportunity to leverage foresight in accelerating digital transformation across the length and breadth of Africa.ENDS