20 Mar 2022

The introduction of free Wi-Fi in Francistown is expected to fast track the city’s transformation  into a smart city not only efficient in production and trade but that can also offer its youth employment opportunities.

“We envision the transformation of the City of Francistown into a smart city that is more efficient, cleaner, safer, healthier, greener and advanced,” said Vice President Slumber Tsogwane at the launch of The Ghetto Free Wi-Fi in the city Saturday.

He  said the service, a collaboration between the municipal authority and Botswana Fibre Networks, was geared towards the attainment of a smart city.

“Both parties strongly believe that free public Wi-Fi is a fundamental tool in numerous ways such as a driver of development of the city’s e-government and a creator of a knowledge-based economy,” stated Mr Tsogwane.

He said the provision of free Internet hotspots in strategic areas would go a long way in ensuring that residents, visitors and tourists accessed information. 

That, he said, would enhance creativity and innovation necessary for Francistown’s economic diversification.

He said the initiative would facilitate the country’s movement into the Fourth Industrial Revolution, commonly known as the Internet of Things, which called for the use of robotics, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, quantum computing and biotechnology among others.

“Realisation of the above requires infrastructure like the one we are gathered here to launch,” said Mr Tsogwane. He said in today’s world, the future rested in economies that were driven by technology, innovation, and digitally knowledgeable societies. He said Botswana Hotspots had changed the digital and connectivity landscape in the country. 

“I can confidently say that as a government, we have made great strides in enabling connectivity through fixed and mobile broadband services,” stated Mr Tsogwane.

The vice president said as part of the country’s broadband strategy, government was planning to cover 203 urban and sub-urban areas as well as villages with public Wi-Fi through the SmartBots village connectivity project covering schools, health facilities and tribal administration offices.

“The days of what we used to deem as a normal way of life have changed drastically. Our interactions have changed, our ways of doing things have shifted into more digital space, and communication has changed due to global COVID-19 pandemic,” he said emphasising that the situation called for immediate action and for the country’s cities to be smarter.

 Mr Tsogwane said Batswana’s way of life had to be defined by the enablement of the ICT environment.

 He stressed the need for everyone to participate in the digital evolution and to utilise the digital platforms designed to change lives.

For his part, Francistown mayor, Mr Godisang Radisigo said projects such as Ghetto Free Wi-Fi would propel the city to greater heights through unlocking economic potential, enhancing social interaction and facilitating other key development goals.

He said many who might not have had access to the modern day necessity would now have the opportunity to research, connect and possibly to conduct business through the World Wide Web.

The mayor said the Ghetto Wi-Fi platform was very much in alignment with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development’s new strategic direction.

 He cited the objective to develop and implement a local government digital transformation strategy, provision of efficient services and municipal infrastructure. ends