27 Apr 2020

Botswana Innovation Hub chief executive officer, Mr Alan Boshwaen has called on Batswana to come up with projects to address social challenges that arose as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Giving an update on the organisation's response to the COVID-19 on April 27 in a telecised press briefing, Mr Boshwaen said the innovation hub recently launched the Third Call for Proposals targeting entrepreneurs, applications developers, indigenous knowledge holders, social enterprises, civil society and non - governmental organisations to submit innovative ideas to help in addressing the pandemic.

“We are calling on Batswana to present their innovative ideas aimed at addressing challenges resulting from COVID-19,” said Mr Boshwaen.

Mr Boshwaen said since COVID-19 was a global challenge, it was important for local challenges that had risen as a result of the pandemic to be addressed by the locals. Therefore, Mr Boshwaen said the innovative ideas must be ready to be put into action immediately and also be relevant to the current challenges brought about by COVID-19. “The innovative ideas must address, among others, socio-economic and health challenges,” said Mr Boshwaen.

Mr Boshwaen, however, acknowledged the limited time for applicants, as the hub would be closing for applications on May 1 and also given the fact that the nation was under extreme social distancing, making it difficult for those without access to internet services to apply. He further acknowledged that indigenous knowledge was also vital in addressing some social challenges. 

He further revealed that since the inception of the Botswana Innovation Fund in 2017, it was opened for the locals to submit innovative ideas. He said the special fund was funded at P45 million for NDP 11, of which P15 million was awarded per financial year. Mr Boshwaen said the organisation facilitated, among others, uptake of new solutions and registration of intellectual property.

Mr Boshwaen also stressed the need to fast-track funding of the innovative digital solution projects as they were aimed at addressing an ongoing national challenge. “We must fast-track assessment and funding of projects relevant to the current situation,” he said.

Mr Boshwaen further called on the private sector to extend a helping hand in funding towards developing innovations from the local community. He further indicated that even though the proposed ideas must be focused at addressing challenges of COVID-19, such projects must be sustainable enough to continue working even after the pandemic. Ends