14 Oct 2026

Botswana and Huawei have signed a Cooperation Agreement on Digital Transformation covering Cloud Computing, Smart Education, Telemedicine and Public Security, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The agreement was signed at the Huawei Beijing Research Institute following a tour of the flagship facility by President Advocate Duma Boko and his delegation yesterday, where they were taken through live demonstrations of Huawei's latest solutions in cloud computing, smart education, telemedicine and public security, and artificial intelligence.

Addressing Huawei executives, President Boko said Botswana was looking for a capable technology partner to help make critical services seamless, efficient and accessible.

"We look forward to a department as capable as yourselves to assist us in this process because once we do this, it is not only about making education accessible and fun but those who are already making it happen can be very easily, efficiently and seamlessly updated,” said President Boko.

He outlined a vision where digital platforms would transform everyday life in Botswana, anchored on the five pillars covered by the agreement.

President Boko said with the right technology in cloud computing to host secure government data, smart education platforms, telemedicine systems for medical records, patient referrals and access to specialists, and public security powered by artificial intelligence, everyday services would become normal.

"We can then have uninterrupted, anytime access to a doctor and this is the transformation we seek," he said.

President Boko noted that the country’s challenge in healthcare was not a lack of professionals, but logistics such as ensuring patients, records and referrals moved efficiently to the last mile, a gap telemedicine and cloud-based records can close.

He also identified security as one of the most critical and pressing areas for technological intervention.

"I hope now, because one of the most critical and pressing issues is the issue of security and AI capabilities for the law enforcement authorities. The commissioner of Police is here. She is eager, she is anxious to have these capabilities deployed," said President Boko and explained that modern policing required advanced AI-driven public security technology.

Though he said Botswana had stable fundamentals, a stable system and a growing financial system, he also stressed that for the country to secure its future, its financial and security systems must be secure first.

Moreover, President Boko thanked Huawei for what he described as ‘unbelievable work’ and for providing clear and concrete avenues for cooperation.

"I am very grateful for this opportunity and thank you for giving us very clear and concrete avenues to interaction and the next step is to lead such meaningful interaction and to continue the efforts for action," he said.

Senior vice president of the Public Affairs and Communications Department at Huawei, Mr Jeff Wang said Huawei looked forward to implementing the framework that would guide future collaboration in digital government, cloud computing, smart education, telemedicine and public security, and artificial intelligence.

Regarding Huawei’s footprint in the country, Huawei officially entered the Botswana market in 1998 and has become a key partner in the country's ICT development.

Its key projects already delivered include Smart Village Project in Zutshwa; first smart village launched with a 30KVa photovoltaic solar plant providing clean, reliable energy, digital connectivity and smart education access, village Connectivity Project: Rollout of high-speed broadband to rural schools, clinics and remote communities and 5G Smart Mine at Jwaneng.

In addition, five students have been sent to China by Huawei this year through its Seeds for the Future ICT talent training programme.

In an interview, fourth-year student at the Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Ms Atang Simon, said she was grateful for the opportunity.

"The programme has helped me a lot as it provided a bridge to what I am studying and the actual work field," she said. ENDS