24 Mar 2025

Botswana Fiber Networks (BoFiNet) has invested in two major projects to enhance internet connectivity in the country and provide unlimited services to customers, a move that aligns with government’s transformation agenda which aims to create a smart, sustainable society and transition toward a knowledge-based economy.

The projects entail upgrading equipment that has been in use since 2014, a year after the organisation was launched, BoFiNet acting chief executive officer, Mr Mpho Koolese said during a media briefing, yesterday in Gaborone. Once operational, the benefits of the projects will include high bandwidth capacity, enhanced security, increased service reliability and facilitation of digital transformation.

Mr Koolese expressed pride in that both projects were contracted to local companies namely, Hexaract Network Experts and Comsoft, who had delivered beyond expecctation.

He also said that the organisation was committed to empowering women since both projects were female-led.

BoFiNet head of technology planning, Mr Boikarabelo Ramaretlwa said that the organisation operated locally and regionally, with customers in Zambia and Malawi and that through strategic partnerships, it aimed to expand its footprint.

With over 12 000km of fiber infrastructure in place, Mr Ramaretlwa stated that the organisation was working to ensure that all customers, even in the most remote areas, had access to reliable internet connectivity.

The first project involves upgrading internet gateways in Gaborone, Johannesburg and London, which were initially installed in 2014. Awarded to Hexaract Network Experts at a cost of P30 million over a duration of eight months, Mr Ramaretlwa said the project was 98 per cent complete, pending minor clean-ups before it went live.

The second project expected to last one year, focuses on national connectivity and has been awarded to Comsoft at a cost of P89 million.

Upon completion, Mr Ramaretlwa indicated that BoFiNet would be able to meet daily service demands more effectively.

Hexaract Network Experts customer experience director, Mr Thebe Makgetho said that the goal was to position Botswana as a smart hub adding that through such projects, the country would achieve faster, secure and reliable connectivity to the world. 

He said that the company was responsible not only for equipment replacement but also for equipping BoFiNet personnel with relevant knowledge and leading the design of the project. ENDS