31 Aug 2017

Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi has implored the business sector to develop more technological services aimed at improving service provision in the country.

Speaking during the third annual business breakfast seminar held in Gaborone on August 31, Mr Masisi said Botswana had experienced increase in consumption of Information Communication Technology (ICT) services as a result of improvement in connectivity and Internet infrastructure.

As a result of this, he said government aimed to provide conducive environment and conditions to enable the high Internet use to be turned into opportunities for a more productive use of ICT.

He said the fact that Botswana was one of the highest Internet using countries in Africa should be turned to the country’s advantage.

“According to the Measuring an Information Society report of 2016, Botswana ranks fifth in Africa in ICT access as measured then in users and skills applied. Botswana came after Cape Verde, South Africa, Mauritius and Seychelles,” Mr Masisi said.

He added that it was mperative for the private sector, stakeholders, government and civil society to occasionally review ways in which they conducted their activities and embrace technological advancements.

“Africa as a whole and Botswana in particular must be prepared to enable the development and utilisation of technological platforms to facilitate among other things deficiency of service provision and productivity improvements that come with it and improvements in the provision of goods and services,” he said.

The business breakfast seminar was organised by Serenade Palace and held under the theme ‘Gearing for the technological transition: Africa’s preparedness to connecting solutions, markets and industries in modern day trade.’

Organiser of the seminar Ms Roseline Panzirah said the event was meant to accord attendants the opportunities to network with potential funders for possible expansions.

She said the seminar featured experts and practitioners in various sectors in the industry.

She said it aimed to facilitate growth of businesses which would open new opportunities.

The minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Mr Vincent Seretse observed that technological revolution would affect almost every part of people’s daily lives including jobs, relationships, business transactions, economies and industries.

“In light of Botswana’s desire to diversify the economy from her over reliance on the mining sector, technology demands that Botswana capitalises on these potential opportunities through a complete rethink of the engagement and business development strategies,” he said. ENDS