29 Oct 2017

Acting permanent secretary in the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, Dr Kekgonne Baipoledi has urged companies and individual Batswana to harness and commercialise local science and technology inventions. 

Speaking during the first ever Innovation Botswana event held at Botswana Innovation Hub Science and Technology Park in Gaborone on October 26, Mr Baipoledi said through the setting up of the science park by Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH), who were also the host, the country would benefit from new inventions.

He said it was imperative that local companies should come together and form partnerships. He, however, said they should not exclude foreigners in an endevour to commercialise local inventions for the benefit of the nation.

He noted that government was moving towards a knowledge based economy which was based on science and technology. 

Dr Baipoledi further said government recognised the role played by science and technology, and urged innovators to blend their new discoveries with indigenous knowledge in order to come up with good products that could be beneficial to the country.

Dr Baipoledi, who was speaking on behalf of the minister, said he was happy that BIH would ensure that intellectual property rights of individuals working for BIH would be protected. 

He hailed the event, saying it was to celebrate the practical experience with others from various sectors.

He said as a ministry they were at the forefront of promoting and encouraging science and technology in order to take the country to greater heights. 

Speaking at the same event, Mr Patrick Krappie from the Technology Innovation Agency and South African Landscape said they were worried that venture capital was limited. 

He added that the commercialising of innovations was not going as desired as most inventions ended up going to Europe where companies were eager to commercialise them. 

He said just like Botswana, South Africa was eager to develop science and technology, and that it has set up big science parks in 18 universities across the country. 

He noted that about 205 technologies were developed during the past three years and that 44 of them were commercialised, adding that within the same period over 8 550 SMMEs were supported with grants.    

Mr Krappie said since the country was still emerging from the effects of apartheid, the government had taken a deliberate move to invest in science and technology as they had future prospects of growing the economy. 

Meanwhile, the chief executive office (CEO) of BIH, Mr Alan Boshwaen said they were set up at a very opportune time.

“Botswana is at a point where various uncertainties are prevalent, economies are shifting towards greater reliance on intellectual capabilities as witnessed in the regional and international economies and therefore, we as Botswana have to brace ourselves for this challenge,” he said.

He said the way was through innovation to diversify the economy, adding that as BIH they were committed to “nurturing solutions that improve lives.”

Innovation Botswana 2017 is part of a series of annual events that BIH as set out to host to create innovation. 

The event is a vibrant festival of inspiration, creativity and innovation, bringing together more than 250 stakeholders to tackle innovation through exhibitions, networking and capacity building workshops. ENDS