10 Sep 2024

The decision by global technology solutions firm Cavista Holdings to set up in Botswana is a vote of confidence in the country as an investment destination, and a result of deliberate effort by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi towards job creation.

Giving a keynote address at the official opening of the Botswana office of Cavista Holdings at the Gaborone Central Business District, President Masisi said the occasion saw the realisation of a vision borne out of the belief in the potential of Botswana as a key player in the global business landscape.

Dr Masisi revealed that the process of luring the firm, which is renowned for innovation and excellence, started when he met Mr John Olajide, Cavista Holdings founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), in July 2022 at the US-Africa Business Summit in Morocco.

“During that meeting, I extended an invitation to Mr Olajide to consider Botswana as the next home for his rapidly growing global company, Cavista Holdings. I knew then, as I do now, that Botswana is a fertile ground for growth, with an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

Our robust infrastructure, political stability, and a government that is deeply committed to economic transformation through innovation and technology make us an ideal investment destination,” Dr Masisi said.

This set the tone for Mr Olajide’s team to start working with the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) and other various stakeholders domestically, leading to the investment of Cavista Holdings, which currently has a footprint in the United States, Nigeria, the Philippines and India.

“The decision by Cavista Holdings to expand its global footprint to Botswana is a bold vote of confidence in our country’s stability, business environment, and our potential to grow into a leading technology hub in Africa. Cavista’s operations here will not only mirror the successes they have achieved in other countries, but they will also be tailored to address the unique needs and aspirations of the people of Botswana,” the President said.

He added that in the modern world technology, innovation and digitisation were essential for economic growth and competitiveness, having transformed economies in the United States, Europe and Asia, and in Africa the digital economy was expected to create over 200 million jobs by 2030.

“Through the establishment of Cavista Holdings in Botswana, we are not just welcoming a new business entity, but are also welcoming a partner in our efforts to create a knowledge-based economy. The technology sector offers boundless opportunities for our youth, entrepreneurs, and innovators.

This partnership will create jobs, build skills, and provide a platform for Botswana to participate actively in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” President Masisi said.

The President said the latest investment was part of Botswana’s journey to economic diversification, job creation, and high economic income status by 2036, in line with the National Vision, and the Presidential Reset and Reclaim Agenda, where one of the five pillars is dedicated to advancing digitisation.

For his part, US-based entrepreneur Mr Olajide, said from his interactions with the President over the past two years, at the US-Africa Summit in Morocco and in Botswana, as well as in New York and Dallas, Texas, USA proved to him that Dr Masisi was a people-centred leader who sought to create jobs for Batswana.

Mr Olajide, also the founder and CEO of AXXESS North America’s leading home healthcare technology company, domiciled in Texas, USA said the prime reason for investing in Botswana was to create jobs in line with the vision of the country’s leadership. ENDS