24 Feb 2025

 The Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Mr Tiroeaone Ntsima says digital technology is not just a tool but a catalyst for growth and development.
“Our commitment to embracing these advancements is crucial for ensuring that no one is left behind in this digital age,” he said during the launch of Botswana Trade Commission Online Permit Management System in Francistown recently.
He said Botswana, like other countries, embarked on an ambitious programme to broaden the digital and innovation ecosystem through the SmartBots Digital Transformation Strategy.
Mr Ntsima said progress achieved in the implementation of strategies and programmes on digitisation is attested by improvement in Botswana’s ranking, making the biggest leap in the Global Innovation Index 2024, being at position 87th globally, making it to the top three in Africa.
Mr Ntsima commended the Botswana Trade Commission for taking the significant step of automating its business processes and contributing to digital transformation of the economy.
He said transitioning from traditional paper-based processes and methods to a more efficient platform, the commission is enhancing its ability to facilitate and support the business community in the issuance of import permits, export permits and rebate certificates.
“This shift does not only improve operations’ efficiency but also expands the organisation’s outreach, ensuring better service delivery to all its stakeholders nationwide,” he added.
He also called upon other stakeholders and government entities to follow suit to embrace the power of digital technology as a means to create a more inclusive, efficient, and prosperous future for all
Botswana Trade Commission chief executive officer, Ms Shirley Moncho, said the Online Permit Management System was launched to inform tariff changes and determine impact of unfair trade practices leading to recommendations being made on remedial measures.
Ms Moncho said the import and export control function had all along been with the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship. She added that in preparation for transitioning of this function from the ministry, the commission embarked on a journey to develop an online permit system to enhance efficiency in service delivery and decentralise its services.
“Through this system, our processes for issuance of rebate certificates and import and export permits have been streamlined and re-engineered.
And the expected outcome is reduction in turnaround time and cost of doing business by cutting travel time and associated fares,” she added.
Ms Moncho said the Online Permit Management System was part of the 1Gov-1Citizen platform where government intended to offer all its services on-line, and that so far there were 15 registered BOTC services in the 1Gov-1Citizen platform. ENDS