The Minister of Finance of Botswana, Peggy Serame, announced that the persistent technical issues with the Government Accounting and Budgeting System (GABS) are expected to be resolved by the end of March, with the implementation of long-term solutions such as the purchase of two Oracle Supercluster servers. Serame also highlighted the introduction of a Call Centre for customer assistance and the successful rollout of electronic payslips to government employees as part of the country's transition to a knowledge-based economy. The 2024/2025 development budget for computerization and digital transformation is set at P48 739 941.

Chobe Holdings, listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange, is still facing challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting its aviation businesses and local travel demand. CEO John Gibson reported manufacturing constraints and reduced local travel, despite international luxury travel demand. The company is investing in its core businesses, including a rebuild of Savute Safari Lodge, a new Cessna 208EX Caravan, and solar plant enhancements, with total additions of approximately P65 million.

The Lumwana copper mine's Super Pit expansion project, developed by Barrick, is expected to begin production in 2028, with an estimated cost of nearly $2 billion. The project aims to transform Lumwana into a major copper mine with an annual production of approximately 240,000 tonnes over a 30-year lifespan, contributing to the Zambian government's 10-year plan to revive the copper industry. Since 2019, Lumwana has contributed almost $3 billion to Zambia's economy and has launched a Business Accelerator Program to support local contractors. Barrick's REDD+ initiative is set to benefit host communities through conservation efforts.

Botswana Telecommunications Corporation has upgraded network coverage from 2G to 4G LTE in 45 villages within Botswana's Okavango and Northwest regions, aiming to enhance network performance and mobile data usage. The initiative is expected to foster innovation and economic services in educational, community, and health sectors. BTC Managing Director Anthony Masunga highlighted the company's commitment to network expansion, while Pontsho Pusotsile from the Ministry of Communication, Knowledge, and Technology and David Zhang from Huawei Technologies Botswana both emphasized the critical role of connectivity in achieving national prosperity and the importance of including rural areas in technological development.

Letshego, a Pan-African microfinance firm, is advancing its digital transformation by aiming to register one million customers on its LetsGo Digital Mall app by 2025. The company plans to process 80% of loan applications digitally within the next 24 months and is enhancing its cybersecurity measures. Letshego operates in 11 African countries and is prioritizing data management and workflow automation to improve customer service. The urgency of cybersecurity in Africa is underscored by a white paper from Kearney and a report from INTERPOL.

Botswana is implementing an e-lockers program named Yarona to dispense medication for chronic diseases, including HIV treatment, to improve convenience and reduce congestion in health facilities. The program serves 2000 people monthly and is part of the country's move towards digitizing public healthcare. Health Minister Dr. Edwin Dikoloti highlighted the benefits of the e-lockers in providing flexibility for medication collection and supporting the resilience of the healthcare system against public health threats.

Botswana's government, through the Digital Transformation Coordination Office and the Ministry of Communications, Knowledge and Technology, is embracing artificial intelligence to advance the country's development. Acting coordinator Nonofo Kgaodi emphasizes the importance of AI in education and the potential for AI-driven solutions to create personalized learning experiences. The government aims to transition from being a technology receiver to a producer, investing in workforce education and training. The commitment extends to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, supporting start-ups, and the One Citizen programme, which digitizes government services and promotes a knowledge-based economy.

Huawei has reaffirmed its commitment to aiding Botswana in the development of ICT infrastructure, with David Zhang, MD of Huawei Botswana, announcing the company's active role in the country's ICT planning and the launch of new technology facilities. At Huawei's first Telecom Congress in Botswana, a range of network and data centre solutions were introduced, including 98 new campus network products and over 38 new data centre network products. Botswana's government, represented by acting Permanent Secretary of Communications, Knowledge and Technology Pontsho Pusoetsile, has urged the private sector to lead in closing the ICT infrastructure gap to drive the country's digital transformation.

Boemo Sekgoma, the secretary general of SADC Parliamentary Forum, urged SADC lawmakers to leverage digital opportunities for development. Speaking at the African Union office in New York during the 67th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, Sekgoma announced SADC's work on a Model Law to address the digital gender gap. She emphasized the importance of digital norms to facilitate business and economic growth, and the need for legal and policy frameworks to support ICT empowerment for both genders. Sekgoma also noted the disparity in technological advancement between Africa and other continents, highlighting the lack of basic infrastructure in some African regions.

Botswana's Minister of Finance Peggy Serame has called on internal auditors to assess and improve the cybersecurity culture within organizations to ensure employee accountability and combat the evolving threat of cyber-attacks. During an annual conference, she emphasized the importance of digital transformation for the internal audit profession. Icho Molebatsi from the Institute of Internal Auditors Association of Botswana highlighted the need for auditors to focus on cybersecurity in risk discussions and to develop and implement a cybersecurity framework and policy.

Orange Botswana has launched the first 5G network by an Orange subsidiary in Africa, with significant implications for local e-health services. Fidelis Madondo of MRI Botswana Limited highlighted the potential for remote communities to access health services, including a telemedicine ambulance project. Monica Somolokae from the Ministry of Health Botswana noted the benefits for digital transformation and teleradiology. The 5G network will cover 30% of Botswana's population, starting with Gaborone and Francistown. Jerome Henique, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, spoke of the technology's promise for businesses and the alignment with Botswana's goal of becoming a knowledge-based economy.

BotswanaPost has partnered with Stampsdaq Estonia OU to digitize the management of Botswana's official postage stamps using NFT technology. The CEO of BotswanaPost, Cornelius Ramatlhakwane, expressed confidence in blockchain solutions for enhancing global philately. Stampsdaq, which operates a 'collect with benefits' model for postal operators, has already onboarded La Poste de Côte d'Ivoire and Bhutan Post. Andrii Shapovalov, CEO of Stampsdaq, highlighted the potential of blockchain and NFTs to connect traditional stamp collectors with younger, tech-savvy generations. BotswanaPost's stamp collection, which began in 1966, includes over 1100 unique motifs.

The Botswana Women in Construction (BOWICO) has called on the government to effectively use data in developing smart cities to foster a night economy. The government aims to transform Francistown and Maun into smart cities, drawing inspiration from the UK, Canada, and Estonia. BOWICO's Thandeka Palai highlighted the benefits of smart cities for job creation and tourism. Deputy Permanent Secretary Halakangwa Mbulai emphasized the role of digital technology in leading the continent. Mathiba Makalo from the Botswana Innovation Hub stressed the need for smart engineering and planning, as well as adopting e-learning in communities.

Orange Money Botswana is embroiled in a dispute with its distributors due to planned commission cuts, leading to service disruptions as dealers and retailers temporarily suspended Point-of-Sale services. Despite ongoing contract negotiations, the CEO of Orange Money Botswana, Seabelo Pilane, assures that services remain operational. Distributors, represented by spokesperson Sunil Jog, have unsuccessfully tried to engage with the company regarding the implications of the cuts. Mpho Saamagwe of Choppies suggested that Orange is not profiting from the mobile money platform, questioning its sustainability. Orange Money's active user base is significant, with over 30% of the country's eligible market and more than 230,000 active users for the Orange Money Visa Card.

Botswana's Kalafhi Medical Centre is advancing towards its goal of becoming a smart hospital by partnering with Ever Medical Technologies. The collaboration involves rolling out software to enhance healthcare delivery, including telemedicine, administrative apps, and a patient front-end app. Ever Medical Technologies is installing administrative software and training staff at Kalafhi Medical Centre, with plans to introduce a Health Information Exchange system, an EHR Suite, and a Digital Health Wallet secured by blockchain. The initiative aims to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and lower healthcare costs.

The University of Botswana is embracing a quintuple innovation framework to enhance online and blended e-learning, in collaboration with government and business. Vice Chancellor Prof David Norris emphasized the need for diverse knowledge creation and efficient operation in e-learning environments. The university's transformation aligns with the government's agenda to become a high-income, knowledge-based economy by 2036. Chancellor Dr Tebelelo Seretse highlighted the necessity for supportive policies and increased public-private cooperation to produce entrepreneurs, researchers, innovators, and inventors.

Botswana's government is collaborating with UNCTAD to review its National Research, Science, Technology and Innovation Policy. Minister Thulagano Segokgo emphasized the need to align the policy with regional and international standards to support sustainable development and popularize STEM. The government aims to develop a national research agenda, encourage tech innovation for employment and revenue, and explore big data applications. August is dedicated to raising awareness of RSTI, and activities throughout 2022 will focus on stakeholder unity and sharing best practices in R&D and tech innovation.

Botswana's parliament has introduced 'Botswana Speaks', a digital platform designed to enhance communication between MPs and communities. Vice President Slumber Tsogwane highlighted the platform's role in providing constant access to elected representatives, complementing traditional kgotla consultations. The platform will broadcast parliament proceedings and facilitate direct communication through live streaming and SMS to 57 constituencies. Advisor Vasilis Koulolias noted that the platform, which was initially developed in 2012, aims to connect Batswana to their parliamentarians. The ICT Committee Chairperson Mpho Balopi mentioned a pilot project in four constituencies before the national rollout. Speaker Phandu Skelemani emphasized the platform's contribution to democratic participation and the rule of law. The launch is part of a series of initiatives, including the SmartBots project, to improve the country's connectivity, with a focus on engaging the youth.

Pan-African cloud-based digital service provider inq., a subsidiary of Convergence Partners, has expanded into the Botswana market with inq. Digital Botswana. The company aims to enhance Botswana's infrastructure investments with its edge cloud capabilities and digital solutions. Botswana's Minister of Transport and Communication, Thulagano Segokgo, emphasized the partnership's role in sustainable economic development and attracting foreign investors. Inq. Digital Botswana, led by Managing Director Mokgethi Nyatseng, will offer a variety of solutions including data and video analytics, IoT, and software development, aligning with the national vision Smart Botswana.

Orange Botswana is seeking partnerships with non-governmental organizations to support the establishment of Digital Centres aimed at empowering female technologists and entrepreneurs. The initiative, which seeks to provide digital technology training, financial management, and entrepreneurship skills to economically vulnerable women, has a deadline set for March to secure support. Successful applicants will receive digital centre kits, and the program has already benefited 45,000 women across 23 countries.

Botswana has experienced a significant increase in vehicle registrations, averaging an annual growth rate of 9.4% since 2006. The rise in new and used car sales has spurred growth in related businesses. Statistics Botswana reported a 136.8% increase in first registrations from 2006 to 2015. The majority of first-time registered vehicles were used, with a large number being imported from Japan. The growth has led to both positive developments, such as job creation, and challenges, including traffic congestion. Financial institutions like Letshego are offering vehicle finance packages, which has raised concerns about high household debt. Toyota is the leading brand in Botswana, and its South African operations are expanding to meet demand. South Africa's auto industry is expected to increase exports, with Botswana being a significant market within the region. Botswana's economy is projected to grow in the coming years, suggesting a continued increase in vehicle demand.