18 Mar 2025

Members of Parliament (MPs) on Monday called for the country to invest in improved Information Communication Technology (ICT) reach across the country, to boost service provision, research and innovation in the country.

Commenting on the Ministry of Communications and Innovation 2025-26 budget proposal presented to the National Assembly by the portfolio Minister, Mr David Tshere, MPs said low bandwidth was affecting internet connectivity countrywide.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Phenyo Butale said research had found that smart phones usage in Botswana was high, and more effort was needed to improve public services provision through mobile telephony.

Dr Butale said an evaluation of state owned enterprises was necessary, including those under purvey of the Ministry of Communications and Innovation, with the aim to transform them to be more efficient.

He lent his support to the proposal for a National Scientific and Research Council, which Minister Tshere had alluded to in his presentation.

Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Major General Pius Mokgware said Botswana should explore opportunities of participating in ICT value chain through engaging in the manufacturing of some digital appliance components.

He said Botswana should take advantage of the demographic divide of having a mostly young population which could be exposed to ICT entrepreneurship training in order for the country to participate in the fourth industrial revolution.

Major General Mokgware said the use of technology could assist with efficiency, citing the example of drones which could be used for patrolling borders and anti-poaching activity.

Opposition whip, Maun West legislator Mr Caterpillar Hikuama emphasised investing in a highly reliable internet connectivity across the country to ensure that even in the most remote areas could access the internet.

Nkange MP,   Mr Motlhaleemang Moalosi added that the communications ministry was vital to transform the country's economic circumstances, and should be strategically equipped to play such a critical role.

He called on government to support the University of Botswana to develop software systems such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) in order to save the money spent on government and state enterprises procuring from external companies. He supported research funding, which he said was the basis for innovation and the production of knowledge systems.

Shoshong MP, Mr Moneedi Bagaisamang called for the construction of post offices in the villages of Mokgenene, Poloka, Moralane, Mosolotshane and Ikongwe to allow residents to better access services.

Additionally, he asked the ministry to work on improving the access to the internet in his constituency, to remedy the current situation that he said denied residents access to critical digital services including banking.

Thamaga-Kumakwane MP, Mr Palelo Motaosane complained about  the poor state of Thamaga Post Office, calling for construction of a new one that would also house Botswana Savings Bank, an initiative he said had been in the pipeline for long.

He asked government and Botswana Post to review the salary structure and conditions of service of postal officers. He said they were currently overworked and underpaid, and do not receive sufficient incentives such as staff housing. ENDS