Government has budgeted a total of P742.5 million this National Development Plan (NDP) period for improvement of Local Access Network (LAN) infrastructure across the country. 
President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said this on Friday during the 20th anniversary celebration of Orange Botswana at Travel Lodge in Gaborone.
 He pointed that the investment would fund local access in 33 villages and towns identified under the national broadband strategy, and right down to connection cabinets and to business premises and homes. 
“The expected outcome from this investment is improved access and quality of service and therefore improving the ease of doing business. We have to broaden access to communications so that facilities and services reach places that are not connected as yet. Moreover, we intend to improve connections where they already exist,” said Dr Masisi. 
He said as government continued working on improving the ICT sector and driving economic diversification through technology, it had set target for increased broadband speeds and allowing the communications companies to access the rural market through the universal access and services fund. 
He further said ICT companies like Orange Botswana were important partners in helping government to achieve its mission of transitioning to a knowledge based economy underpinned by technology and innovation.  
Orange Botswana was celebrating 20 years of business in this country since entering the local market back in 1998, first under the Vista brand.
 Dr Masisi commended the company for its contribution to the growth of the local ICT sector and assisting in employment creation. 
“Orange Botswana is a leader in the financial technology sector through its Orange Money service, which avails banking services to populations, enabling them to send, receive and pay for goods and services from mobile devices, largely hand held,” he said.
The board chairperson of Orange Botswana Mr Satar Dada said the company was proud to have operated in Botswana for 20 years.
 “We have seen the birth and growth of incredible relationships over the last two decades since we first opened our doors. We are dedicated to our customers and partners, that it is only through them, coupled with the efforts of our dedicated stuff that we are here tonight to celebrate Orange Botswana’s success story,” he said.

He said the company was passionate about helping to improving the lives of Batswana and the economy, as well as enhancing its service to customers.  
Meanwhile, the company announced during the event that it has reached agreement with Botswana Football Association (BFA) to sponsor the BFA Cup which has been in a six year hiatus. The competition was last played in 2012 when it was called the Coca Cola Cup. Details of the sponsorship would be announced today (Monday) in a press conference. ENDS