27 Oct 2024

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi had an opportunity to pilot the eBoat on the Chobe River, during its launch Sunday in Kasane, a development signifying the country’s transition towards electric mobility.

The newly launched electric boat presents a technological advancement with zero carbon emissions and noise pollution hence embracing principles of sustainable environment.

It is a product of the eMobility programme, which aims to support government and key stakeholders in institutional and technical readiness to transit towards electric mobility and diversification of the transport industry through innovative solutions that drive economic growth and empower Batswana by creating jobs.

The eBoat is a collaboration between ALIBOATS company in Maun and Botswana Institute for Technology, Research and Innovation (BITRI) and is manufactured by Batswana.

Delivering a keynote address during the launch, Vice President Mr Slumber Tsogwane stated that the electric boat signified transformation and innovation in transportation thus promoting an eco-friendly environment.

Mr Tsogwane said the boat was a step towards attaining excellence in eMobility, to achieve a green transport model.

“I guarantee that we shall see more of electric boats and vehicles in Botswana as we continue to roll out the national eMobilty programme and I can gladly attest that Batswana are thrilled about new electric vehicles and have inquired about them,” said Mr Tsogwane.

He said transformation to eMobility was a journey of concerted effort and open for exploration hence he appealed to private sector to come on board with innovative solutions to manufacture new products.

The Vice President said the new boat preserved the natural beauty and ecosystem of Chobe River as a biodiversity and tourism model admired by the rest of the world.

He underscored that It was possible for transportation to operate without polluting the environment and causing health hazards for people.

Mr Tsogwane further pointed out the need to invest in infrastructure that promoted eMobility like charging stations which would contribute to more value chains.

Giving an overview of the project, ALIBOATS managing director Mr Rod Bateman stated that BITRI approached them with an offer to partner and manufacture an eboat, which they gladly accepted.

He said they trained about 20 students from BITRI who manufactured the boat through their supervision.

Furthermore, he indicated that several of the students received employment in their company through BITRI adding that the partnership promoted an export driven economy.

Minister of Communication, Knowledge and Technology, Mr Thulagano Segokgo expressed gratitude to President Masisi for fulfilling the promise to deliver an electric vehicle to Batswana which had now included the new eBoat.

He said with the new two modes of transport, the electric vehicles and electric boats, there were opportunities to expand to rail and other modes.

He thanked BITRI for their commitment to build the boat in partnership with ALIBOATS and young Batswana students.

Mr Segokgo said the intellectual property of the electric boat was owned by Botswana government hence allowed for further expansion of production by citizens.

He said his ministry would look into policy formulation which promoted uptake of the boats to transforming water travel to green energy. Ends