05 Aug 2026

Government has reaffirmed its commitment to making science, technology, innovation and indigenous knowledge systems key drivers of economic transformation and long-term prosperity.

Speaking at the launch of the 2026 Month of Science in Gaborone on Tuesday, Minister of Communications and Innovation, Mr David Tshere said the event reaffirmed Botswana’s commitment to harnessing research, innovation and indigenous knowledge to shape its future.

The 10^th commemoration of the Month of Science was held under the theme: Harnessing Science, Technology, Innovation and Indigenous Knowledge for a Prosperous Botswana. 

Mr Tshere said Botswana faced a rapidly changing global environment characterised by technological disruption, climate change, economic uncertainty and growing competition for talent and investment. 

He said such challenges also presented opportunities to invest in knowledge, innovation and skills.

Mr Tshere emphasised that science and innovation were essential to building a knowledge-based economy capable of creating high-value jobs, improving public services and strengthening national resilience. 

Therefore, he said Botswana’s development ambitions under Vision 2036, the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme and National Development Plan 12 required a shift from a mineral-dependent economy to one driven by productivity, innovation, entrepreneurship and exports.

Mr Tshere acknowledged that Botswana’s research performance remained below expectations, with research and development expenditure below 0.5 per cent of GDP, compared to the African Union target of one per cent and the national target of two per cent. 

He added that Botswana ranked 87th out of 139 countries in the 2025 Global Innovation Index, highlighting the need to commercialise research and create industries and jobs.

Minister Tshere cited the successful launch of Botswana’s first satellite, BOTSAT-1, in 2025 as a milestone, saying it was already supporting agriculture, environmental monitoring, natural resource management and disaster response.

He also underscored the value of indigenous knowledge systems in agriculture, biodiversity conservation, healthcare and climate adaptation, saying they should be integrated with modern scientific research to develop locally relevant solutions.

To strengthen the innovation ecosystem, he said government had established the National Research Fund and the Botswana Innovation Fund, while urging the private sector to invest in technology transfer, venture financing and research commercialisation.

The minister said government would continue prioritising sectors such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, renewable energy, space science, digital technologies, health innovation and sustainable agriculture.

Meanwhile, he said the National Science Week would be held in Shakawe, where an aquaculture project led by the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources would showcase how research could stimulate rural development, create jobs and improve food security.

Mr Tshere urged government, academia, industry and communities to work together to transform research into practical solutions that created employment, strengthen the economy and position Botswana as a leader in science and innovation.

He highlighted the National Research Agenda 2025–2030 and encouraged Batswana, particularly young people, researchers and entrepreneurs, to embrace science and innovation as pathways to opportunity and national development. ENDS