Africa-Press – Botswana. The launch began with a multi-day series of events in Gaborone, designed to inspire and support local innovation leaders.
Last week, the MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship launched a landmark five-year collaboration with the Government of Botswana. This partnership aims to strengthen the country’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, marking a bold step toward reimagining how nations build sustainable economic growth.
The collaboration reflects the MIT Kuo Sharper Center’s belief that entrepreneurship is a vehicle not only for economic development but also for increasing local agency. The Center advocates for a new calculus of global prosperity, one driven by innovation, inclusion, and independence from traditional aid models.
The launch began with a multi-day series of events in Gaborone, designed to inspire and support local innovation leaders. Among the highlights was the reunion of the Foundry Fellowship, which brought together 22 accomplished African entrepreneurs who completed MIT’s intensive leadership program.
While in Botswana, several fellows explored opportunities to expand their businesses into the country. They met with policymakers and ecosystem stakeholders, reflecting their shared vision of fostering prosperity across Africa through innovation-driven entrepreneurship.
In a deeply symbolic moment, the fellows were invited to a private dinner hosted by Botswana’s Vice President and Minister of Finance, the Honorable Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe. “Welcome home. You are always welcome home, and you will always be welcome home,” he told them.
Another major highlight of the trip was the Early-Stage Entrepreneurship Program held at the Botswana Digital and Innovation Hub (BDIH). The program brought together 31 startups selected from over 1,300 applicants across the country.
Led by MIT faculty and African entrepreneurs, the three-day bootcamp focused on helping founders refine their business models, pitch with confidence, and develop scalable solutions. This in-person experience kicked off a 12-week mentorship program designed to accelerate early-stage ventures with high impact potential.
“Botswana has made clear its intention to be a beacon for innovation and prosperity across Africa,” said Dina H. Sherif, Executive Director of the MIT Kuo Sharper Center. “This past week was more than a series of events. It was a signal to the world of what becomes possible when governments embrace the potential of entrepreneurship.”
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Olesitse Masimega, echoed this sentiment. “This visit represents more than collaboration; it is a defining milestone for Botswana. It marks the building of bridges that will unlock new possibilities for our entrepreneurs, our citizens, and our economy,” he said during the opening of the bootcamp.
Beyond the entrepreneur training, the Center also launched planning for the expansion of two key MIT programs at the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST): the Student Fellowship and the MIT Sandbox.
The Student Fellowship is a year-long academic program focused on developing principled, entrepreneurial leaders. The Sandbox provides seed funding, coaching, and venture support to help students turn innovative ideas into scalable enterprises.
MIT Sandbox’s Executive Director, Dr. Jinane Abounadi, and Director of Partnerships, Marwan Hassoun, met with BIUST leadership and the Vice Chancellor, Professor Otlogetswe Totolo, to begin the design of these programs.
“It has been a true pleasure getting to meet the various leaders from government, universities, and industry in Botswana supporting this partnership,” said Dr. Abounadi. “We had the opportunity to learn directly from students and faculty about their projects and ambitions. They are enthusiastic about the potential of turning their ideas into impactful enterprises.”
She also noted that MIT students are looking forward to connecting with their counterparts in Botswana and hopes to see collaborations emerge from these exchanges.
As the MIT Kuo Sharper Center deepens its engagement in Botswana, alongside its partners at MIT Sandbox and the MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program (REAP), this collaboration is set to become a blueprint for prosperity. It champions local innovation, cross-continental learning, and a more self-reliant approach to development.
At its core, this partnership is a bet on African talent and entrepreneurial spirit. It is a commitment to building a future where prosperity is driven by people, not aid, and where Africa leads the way in shaping its own economic destiny.
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