09 Jul 2025

Assistant Minister of Communications and Innovation, Mr Shawn Ntlhaile says Botswana’s greatest asset is not its mineral resources but its people, particularly the youth and women, whose talents and innovation will shape the country›s digital future.

Speaking at the launch of the national Information and Communication Technology (ICT) summit and awards, organised by the Botswana Information Technology Society (BITS), Mr Ntlhaile highlighted the importance of empowering these groups through mentorship, education, and increased access to technological opportunities.

“We must empower them through mentorship, education, and access to innovation opportunities. We need more women leading tech start-ups and more young people building apps that solve Botswana’s challenges,” he stated.

The government commits to fostering inclusivity through initiatives such as the BITS Women in ICT Chapter, TechWomen Google Developer Group, enterprise incubators, and digital entrepreneurship boot camps. These efforts are part of broader plans to enhance digital literacy across schools, tertiary institutions, and communities along with investments in broadband infrastructure.

Furthermore, Mr Ntlhaile underscored the importance of creating supportive policies and incentives for digital entrepreneurship alongside safeguarding cyberspace with robust data protection and cybersecurity frameworks.

He also emphasised the need for regional cooperation in securing Botswana’s digital landscape.

However, he acknowledged that government alone could not achieve the nation’s ICT ambitions.

“We need public-private partnerships, academic research, international collaboration, and a vibrant civil society,” he said.

The private sector was urged to innovate and scale digital solutions, while academia was called upon to conduct research, develop digital skills, and bridge the gap between theory and practice.

He stressed the importance of continuous policy refinement to encourage investment and responsible innovation that alignsed with global digital standards.

“Our policies must not only keep pace with technology; they must help shape the future. And we need our young people, not just as consumers of technology, but as creators, disruptors, and leaders of the digital age,” Mr Ntlhaile added.

The upcoming summit and awards aim to recognise excellence, innovation, and impact in ICT across diverse sectors, genders, and generations.

Mr Ntlhaile urged stakeholders to leverage the event as a platform for knowledge sharing, partnership building, and capacity development.

He encouraged bold collaboration, intentional action, and solutions focused on tangible impacts.

“Let us reflect on how we can align our national ICT strategies with regional and global frameworks such as the African Union Digital Transformation Strategy, SADC Vision 2050, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” he implored.

In his welcoming remarks, BITS Vice President Mr Vish Sethi highlighted the society’s mission to foster a vibrant community of IT professionals, promote digital literacy, and support a knowledge-based economy through advocacy and strategic partnerships.

He described the national ICT summit and awards as a premier platform to showcase Botswana’s home-grown technologies and digital talent, and to foster dialogue among government, industry, academia, and innovators.

“To lead in an era where technology is transforming economies and societies, Botswana must not only keep pace but also set the pace. Platforms like this summit build the bridges that turn ideas into action and innovation into impact,” Mr. Sethi stated.

The ICT summit and awards are scheduled to take place in Gaborone on November 14 and 15. ENDS