16 Feb 2026

Government is working to close private radio broadcasting gaps in various areas, Minister of Communications and Innovation, Mr David Tshere said at the World Radio Day commemoration.

Speaking under the theme: Radio and Artificial Intelligence,  Mr Tshere said 19 FM transmitters have been installed, covering areas in Kgalagadi North, Kweneng, Southern, and North West districts, benefiting over 157 717 people at a cost of P14.4 million.

In the North East, three FM transmitters were commissioned in Tutume, Sekakangwe and Tshesebe, covering over 85 000 people.

Mr Tshere said government aimed to quadruple listenership, giving every Motswana a choice to listen to any station, promoting diversity and plurality.

He said to date, there were 10 non-commercial radio licenses that had been issued, commonly referred to as community radio stations while the Botswana Communication Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) is still in the process of licensing additional non-commercial radio stations. 

Mr Tshere emphasised that government was deliberate in transforming the broadcasting landscape in Botswana, evidenced by the recent introduction of 10 languages to be used in broadcasting, including radio broadcasting. 

He stated that, at a minimum, people must listen to news and current affairs in languages they understand because access to news was not a luxury but a necessity.

Mr Tshere has emphasised the importance of clear communication, especially during critical times like the current Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak. He challenged private radio stations to explore Artificial Intelligence solutions to translate programmes into local languages.

The minister launched FM extension signals for Yarona FM, Gabs FM, and Duma FM, and announced plans to roll out the project in Bobirwa district, covering Molalatau, Semolale, and Tsetsebye villages. 

The P6 million project would benefit 114 461 people in 55 villages and be completed by the end of the 2026/27 financial year.

The ministry plans to extend commercial FM radio station signals to Kgalagadi South next financial year.

“We are going to connect both radio and internet services in the 101 km stretch between Charles Hill and Nxojane, therefore connecting everyone on the way, including the people of Makunda to Kuke to Nxojane with these FM broadcasting signals,” he said. 

The initiative, he added would provide coverage in most of the Ghanzi South areas, which have historically relied on Namibian Broadcasting Services for news and current affairs. 

The Ministry of Communications and Innovation is currently carrying out a needs assessment in the region to establish existing gaps, particularly along the border villages. 

Mr Tshere affirmed that radio was one of the most influential media of communication, and it was therefore conceivable that it could be vulnerable to cyber- attacks. 

He thus recognised and acknowledged the loud call from the private sector of his ministry to bring about the legislative framework that would govern AI, stating that Parliament had passed the Digital Services Bill. 

He said the focus of his ministry regarding the AI policy was to ensure ethical AI, while they continue to improve access to radio broadcasting in the country, AI solutions should be developed for radio broadcasting. 

“Digital solutions have been found to improve productivity and efficiency across different industries because they lower production costs while improving the quality of service, leading to an improved listener experience,” he said. ENDS