07 Feb 2022

 A number of initiatives are underway to fast track the digital transition under the auspices of the SmartBots project, with four flagship projects which include accelerated digital connectivity nationwide, moving government services online, leveraging smart technologies to address food security and transforming the education sector.

    Presentin the budget speech on Monday 7, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Ms Peggy Serame said ICT remained an important tool for innovation, particularly as Botswana transitions from resource based economy to a knowledge based economy.
She also said the village connectivity project was already on track to connect 142 villages through the provision of high-speed infrastructure to government facilities and another project with a target of 25 government services online by June this year as well as all services online by 2023/2024.

    All these initiatives was proof that government was working on achieving a digital economy catalysed by Information, Communication and Technology (ICT), innovation and agile policy framework, has said.
Minister Serame said  that government would also focus on the Lobu Small Stock Farm Digital Transformation to produce meat products, dairy and leather and improved breeding stock.
She further said development of the agricultural sector was central to the economic development efforts, to create employment and incomes and build resilience.

She said the ERTP provided for investment in agricultural infrastructure through productive clusters where farmers in selected localities can benefit from power, roads, storage and marketing facilities.
Additionally, Ms Serame said Selebi Phikwe Citrus project with an investment value of P500m continued to be a flagship in the SPEDU region with job creation of currently employing 228 workers with a potential to create 1 000 jobs when fully operational.

“Currently a total of 222 400 citrus fruit trees have been planted on 310 hectares.
 The project occupies 1 500 hectares land of Mannaesi Farm and 800 hectares phase one is expected to be completed by June this year,” she said.
On roads infrastructure, Ms Serame said the Kazungula Bridge which was opened in 2021 provided critical link in the sub-continent’s north-south transport infrastructure. ENDS