Africa-Press – Botswana. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is not only a tool but an enabler of development in today’s fast-paced and interconnected world.
Giving an address on the importance of ICT on national development and the digital economy at the launch of the ICT Summit and Awards at CAVISTA Technologies Botswana on July 8, Assistant Minister of Communications and Innovation Mr Shawn Ntlhaile described ICT as a catalyst of economic transformation.
He said it was a bridge to inclusive opportunity as well as a bedrock of inclusive national development, touching every sector from education to agriculture, health to finance, and governance to creative industries. Mr Ntlhaile said for Botswana, ICT was more than just a sector but a strategic pillar of the country’s Vision 2036.
“Botswana’s future is digital. ICT is the infrastructure of our digital economy. It is the backbone of modern governance. And it is the path to building a knowledge-based society. We are talking about technology as a driver of national transformation,” said.
He said Botswana was intentional in positioning ICT at the centre of national transformation, and has since made strides; guided by Vision 2036 pillars of sustainable economic development and human and social development. Furthermore, Mr Ntlhaile said Botswana has laid a foundation for a resilient and inclusive digital economy through the SmartBots Strategy, the Digital Transformation Strategy, and the recently launched Innovation Fund.
“Our aim is clear; it is to be a regional leader in digital innovation, a hub for tech-driven entrepreneurship, and a model for inclusive digital public services,” he said, adding that ICT as a driver of digital economy presents with unprecedented opportunities for inclusive growth.
Mr Ntlhaile said data was currency in the digital economy, while innovation and connectivity were capital and power, respectively. Digital skills on the one hand are the new oil, and all the aspects contribute to national development through the creation of jobs and by growing the economy.
President of the Botswana Information Technology Society (BITS), Mr Tshepo Bathai said ICT was the engine that would drive Botswana’s prosperity, elevate the country’s global standings and fulfil the ambitious promise of Vision 2036.
Mr Bathai said the digital economy was not a distant horizon, but a vibrant and present opportunity which is reshaping industries, empowering communities, and redefining what was possible across every sector of society. He said the ICT summit and awards which would be hosted by BITS in Gaborone on November 14 and 15 were designed to be a collective platform where ideas will be sharpened, partnerships forged and strategies refined.
“The summit will demonstrate how technology is not just a concept, but a powerful, tangible force that can profoundly transform our lives and businesses, collectively building the digital economy that we all envision and that the government of the day champions. The awards will serve as a platform to spotlight outstanding achievements, honour leadership, and acknowledge the impactful solutions that are shaping Botswana’s digital landscape,” Mr Bathai said.
The awards categories for the national summit awards are Digital Transformation Service of the Year, Start-up of the Year, Online Public Service – Government, Online Public Service – Parastatals, and Online Services (Private Sector/Enterprises). The other categories are ICT Pioneer Award, ICT Educator of the Year – Tertiary, ICT Education of the Year – Basic Education, Cyber security Excellence Award, and ICT Product of the Year Award.
Youth in ICT, Women in ICT, CIO of the Year, President or Minister’s Award, Disadvantaged People’s Awards, Media Award and CSI / Societal Impact Award are some other award categories for which excellence will be acknowledged and duly recognised.
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