30 May 2026

Piracy and unregulated artificial intelligence could threaten Botswana’s cultural identity and economic future if stronger protections for the creative industry are not put in place, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Broadcasting and Information Services, Mr Tshireletso Motlogelwa, has said. Speaking during a media workshop on piracy and AI in the digital ecosystem in Gaborone, Mr Motlogelwa said Botswana and Africa must stop treating creativity as a secondary sector and instead recognise it as a major driver of economic growth, employment and innovation. He said film, music, storytelling and other cultural industries were becoming valuable economic assets globally and Botswana must position itself to benefit while protecting local creators from exploitation. Mr Motlogelwa warned that piracy continued to weaken the creative economy by denying artists, producers and investors the financial returns needed to sustain the industry. “When creative works are illegally distributed, producers lose revenue, investors withdraw support and opportunities for young creatives become limited,” he said. He stressed that protecting intellectual property was critical because it allowed creatives to earn from their work, reinvest in productions and develop future talent. Mr Motlogelwa further emphasised that African stories, languages and cultural expression must remain in African hands, saying locally produced content reflected authentic experiences and identity. He also highlighted the growing influence of artificial intelligence, describing it as both an opportunity and a risk for African creatives. According to Mr Motlogelwa, AI could support innovation and help preserve African languages, but African music, voices, art and cultural material also risked being used by global AI systems without permission or compensation. He therefore called for stronger copyright protections, policy reforms and African-led technological solutions to safeguard creative ownership and ensure local industries benefit from technological advancements. Mr Motlogelwa said Botswana’s creative sector had the potential to contribute significantly to economic diversification beyond mining by creating jobs, supporting tourism and opening opportunities for young people. Meanwhile, MultiChoice Botswana Chief Executive Officer, Ms Stephanie Pillay, said protecting Botswana’s and Africa’s creative industries was a shared responsibility that required collaboration among stakeholders. She praised partnerships with organisations such as the Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA), Copyright Society of Botswana (COSBOTS) and the University of Botswana in addressing piracy challenges and promoting awareness within the creative sector. Media practitioners attending the workshop were also encouraged to report accurately and responsibly on piracy and artificial intelligence issues, as public understanding is shaped by the stories carried by the media.