TechPression

Tag: Botswana

  • Techstars expands to Botswana with Community Catalyst

    Techstars expands to Botswana with Community Catalyst

    With the help of Techstars, Botswana is becoming more well-known as an emerging African centre for entrepreneurship.

    Techstars Startup Community Catalyst Africa Botswana revealed on Monday that they are here to help early-stage entrepreneurs sharpen their ideas, scale their businesses, and make a lasting impact in their startup communities.

    The program will include various educational activities for startups, such as Techstars Founder Catalyst, Techstars Community Development Lab, and Techstars Startup Weekends.

    Read also: TEEN TECH EXPO : TECH BEYOND BORDERS ; EMPOWERING TOMMOROW’S TECH INNOVATORS.

    It also works with Techstars and Merce Anders Equity Group, a private equity firm based in Botswana.

    “Botswana is uniquely positioned to become a vibrant startup community,” says Emilie Vallauri, Program Manager at Techstars. “Through this partnership with Merce Anders Equity Group, we aim to unlock the full potential of entrepreneurs in Botswana and neighbouring countries, enabling them to create transformative solutions locally and globally.”

    The program includes:

    Techstars Startup Weekend (March 28–30, 2025): A 54-hour event for aspiring entrepreneurs to form teams, develop ideas, and pitch to judges. Winners gain entry to the Founder Catalyst program.

    Techstars Community Development Lab (July 16, 2025): An invitation-only workshop for community leaders in Botswana, fostering collaboration and sharing strategies for building sustainable startup ecosystems.

    Techstars Founder Catalyst (May 5–July 20, 2025): A 10-week hybrid pre-accelerator for up to 20 early-stage startups, focusing on funding readiness and growth. Applications open on January 13, 2025.

    Read also: The emergence of a tech hub: Nnewi Tech Faculty

    “We are thrilled to partner with Techstars… to reshape the South African Community Development Community (SADC) startup ecosystem for global growth,” says Moagi Onkabetse, Executive Director of Merce Anders Equity Group.

    “Together, we aim to transform startups from ideation to scaling… establishing Botswana as the startup capital of Africa and a prime destination for market-ready solutions. This partnership marks a significant step toward sustainable innovation and investment in the region.”

    Techstars Founder Catalyst Africa Botswana applications are due March 16, 2025, for founders from Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

  • Botswana becomes 16th African country to welcome Starlink

    Botswana becomes 16th African country to welcome Starlink

    Botswana may now formally use Starlink, capping a turbulent process that included numerous regulatory obstacles and protracted talks, making it the 16th market in Africa to welcome the satellite internet service and the 107th market globally.

    This occurred three months after the business, after a year of back and forth with the regulator, was granted an operating license by the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA).

    Residents of the country in Southern Africa can now purchase Starlink hardware for P4,820 ($363), plus a monthly subscription fee of P688 ($52) and P314 ($24) for shipment.

    Read also: Botswana welcomes Starlink, boosting African internet access

    With this launch, SpaceX’s broadband service is positioned to become a disruptor in Botswana’s Internet service provider (ISP) industry, which has historically been controlled by broadband providers like OPQ and Nashua and large mobile network operators like Orange, Mascom, and BTC.

    The regulatory bottlenecks

    The road leading up to Botswana’s Starlink debut was far from easy. Early in 2023, the business sent BOCRA its initial licence application.

    On the other hand, the regulator turned down the application in February 2024 due to incomplete information. Insiders at Starlink claimed the application was comprehensive, but BOCRA insisted the denial was due to incomplete information.

    Two weeks after rejecting the application, the telecom authority outlawed the use, sale, and importation of Starlink kits, further exacerbating the problem and casting doubt on the service’s viability in Botswana.

    In April 2024, Starlink informed its roaming customers that they could only use the satellite Internet service in regions where the company is authorised to conduct business. The notice also included a warning to effectively disconnect any users of the service—including businesses—in unapproved locations throughout Africa, including Botswana.

    Read also: Ghanaian internet users pay 770 GHC monthly for Starlink

    Botswana President’s intervention

    Executives from Starlink met with President Mokgweetsi Masisi in Dallas, Texas, in May 2024. President Masisi intervened and suggested that BOCRA reevaluate its position. As a result, Starlink’s licence was approved in the same month, over four months after its application was turned down.

    Botswana is the sixth nation in Southern Africa to offer satellite Internet access, joining Zambia, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, and Madagascar.

    Considering traditional ISPs have had difficulty supplying dependable access, Starlink’s debut into Botswana is noteworthy.

    The satellite-based service is anticipated to close this gap by providing high-speed Internet, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

    Stakeholders are keenly monitoring Starlink’s operations as they launch in Botswana to observe how the service affects the nation’s ISP market, particularly regarding pricing, competition, and Internet penetration.

  • Botswana telecom integrates DZS technology into fibre network

    Botswana telecom integrates DZS technology into fibre network

    BoFiNet, Botswana’s national telecommunications infrastructure provider, has embarked on a transformative journey by integrating DZS (Dasan Zhone Solutions) technologies into its fibre network. 

    This strategic partnership aims to revolutionise Botswana’s digital landscape, enhancing connectivity, reliability, and speed for businesses and consumers across the country. With BoFiNet’s extensive fiber network and DZS’s cutting-edge solutions, this integration heralds a new era of advanced telecommunications infrastructure, empowering Botswana to thrive in the digital age.

    Read also: Bolt challenges InDrive dominance in Botswana

    The Significance of BoFiNet’s Fiber Network

    BoFiNet’s fiber network serves as the backbone of Botswana’s telecommunications infrastructure, spanning thousands of kilometers across the nation. This extensive network plays a pivotal role in facilitating high-speed internet access, data transmission, and communication services for businesses, government entities, and citizens alike. By leveraging fiber-optic technology, BoFiNet ensures unparalleled reliability, low latency, and scalability, positioning Botswana as a regional leader in connectivity. The integration of DZS solutions further enhances the capabilities of BoFiNet’s fiber network, elevating its performance and enabling innovative services to meet the evolving needs of Botswana’s digital economy.

    Leveraging DZS Solutions for Enhanced Connectivity

    The integration of DZS solutions into BoFiNet’s fiber network unlocks a myriad of opportunities to enhance connectivity and deliver superior services to end-users. DZS’s portfolio encompasses a comprehensive suite of networking solutions, including optical transport, access, and connectivity platforms, designed to optimize network performance and efficiency. By incorporating DZS’s cutting-edge technologies, BoFiNet can seamlessly upgrade its infrastructure, increase bandwidth capacity, and deploy advanced networking features such as wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and coherent optical transmission. These enhancements translate into faster internet speeds, improved network reliability, and enhanced service quality for Botswana’s businesses and consumers.

    The integration of DZS solutions into BoFiNet’s fiber network is instrumental in accelerating Botswana’s digital transformation agenda. With the proliferation of digital technologies reshaping industries and economies worldwide, Botswana recognizes the importance of robust telecommunications infrastructure in driving innovation, competitiveness, and socio-economic development. By partnering with DZS, BoFiNet reinforces its commitment to spearheading Botswana’s digital revolution, providing the foundation for next-generation services such as cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT), and 5G connectivity. This synergy between BoFiNet and DZS paves the way for a more connected, digitally inclusive Botswana, poised to leverage technology as a catalyst for growth and prosperity.

    Enhancing Network Resilience and Security

    In addition to bolstering connectivity and performance, the integration of DZS solutions enhances the resilience and security of BoFiNet’s fiber network. DZS’s advanced networking platforms incorporate robust features such as network redundancy, traffic engineering, and encryption protocols, safeguarding critical data transmissions against cyber threats and network disruptions. Moreover, DZS’s expertise in network management and optimization enables BoFiNet to proactively monitor, analyze, and troubleshoot network issues, ensuring uninterrupted service delivery and minimizing downtime. By prioritizing network resilience and security, BoFiNet reinforces Botswana’s reputation as a reliable and secure destination for digital investments and operations.

    Liquid intelligent tech empowers Botswana businesses 

    The integration of DZS solutions into BoFiNet’s fiber network represents a significant milestone in Botswana’s journey towards a digitally empowered future. By harnessing the collective strengths of BoFiNet’s extensive infrastructure and DZS’s innovative technologies, Botswana stands poised to unlock new opportunities for economic growth, social development, and technological innovation. 

    As connectivity becomes increasingly indispensable in the digital age, the partnership between BoFiNet and DZS underscores Botswana’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and positioning itself as a leading player in the global digital economy. With a robust, resilient, and secure telecommunications infrastructure in place, Botswana is well-equipped to embrace the opportunities and challenges of the digital era, driving sustainable progress and prosperity for generations to come.

  • Botswana’s President urges technology to enhance diamond mining

    Botswana’s President urges technology to enhance diamond mining

    The most diamonds are mined in Botswana than any other country on the planet. However, given the current state of innovation on a global scale, President Masisi has urged the nations that produce diamonds to make investments in technology in order to maintain the viability of the business.

    The President of Botswana, Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi, has made it clear that it is necessary for countries that produce diamonds to integrate technology into the industry in order to promote its long-term viability. At the FACETS Conference, which was held in Gaborone, Botswana, President Masisi delivered a speech. Botswana is the country that produces the most valuable diamonds in the world.

    The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) started the FACETS Conference in 2022 in order to provide a platform for inclusive discourse amongst industry actors from across the value chain in order to address issues and opportunities that are likely to drive the industry in the future. Specifically, the conference’s focus was on the facet industry. During the course of his talk, Masisi recommended that countries that produce diamonds put money into research and development projects that aim to reduce the negative effects that diamond mining has on the surrounding ecosystem.

    Read also: Cellulant Partners with Orange Money To Power Wallet Transfers For Botswana Banks

    The President’s comments 

    “From drone-assisted surveying to advanced water management systems, these innovations are not just investments; they are our commitment to preserving the natural world for generations to come,” he said.

    In addition, in order to address the issue of diamonds mined in areas of conflict making their way into markets, President Masisi has emphasized the importance of utilizing blockchain technology for the tracking of diamonds. “Blockchain technology, with its immutable ledger, can provide consumers with the guarantee that their diamonds have been ethically sourced,” he added. “Emerging technologies, such as nanotechnology, [also] hold promise in diamond processing. Nanodiamonds, tiny diamond particles, have a range of applications from medical imaging to quantum computing.”

    At the beginning of this year, the administration of President Masisi announced plans to purchase a 24 percent stake in the diamond producer HB Antwerp, which has its headquarters in Belgium and promotes itself as combining “Antwerp’s savoir-faire with the power of technology to create a whole new ecosystem for the natural diamond trade.” A blockchain-based diamond tracker, a stereo microscope for diamond observation, and an automated diamond cleaning robot are some of the company’s proprietary inventions.

    Botswana: A new data protection law takes effect.

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    About Botswana’s Diamond company

    Botswana Diamonds PLC is a diamond exploration and project development business that holds exploration licenses in Botswana and South Africa. The company’s primary focus is on the discovery of new diamond deposits. The knowledgeable staff of this organization has a history of making important discoveries for the company. Both the Botswana Stock Exchange and the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) are home to Botswana Diamonds’ listings.

    The business was initially established on June 23, 1969, and given the name De Beers Botswana Mining Company (Proprietary) Limited at the time of its incorporation. On March 25, 1992, the previous name of the corporation was replaced with that of Debswana Diamond corporation (Proprietary) Limited.

    Each party owns fifty percent of the business due to the fact that it was established as a partnership between the government of Botswana and the diamond corporation De Beers of South Africa.

    Nearly 24.5 million carats’ worth of diamonds were extracted from the ground in Botswana in the year 2022.

  • Webfleet introduces vehicle solutions in Botswana

    Webfleet introduces vehicle solutions in Botswana

    The Webfleet fleet management technology is being introduced in Botswana, which marks the company’s third presence on the African continent.

    The tyre and rubber goods company has entered into a partnership with Kgare Digital in order to enter the market in Botswana and increase its presence on the African continent.

    In both Namibia and South Africa, Webfleet is being utilised at the present time. When Bridgestone first started its journey towards using cloud and data-driven technologies in fleet management, it was introduced in South Africa ten years ago.

    Read also: Nigerian fintech Startup Grey launches in Kenya

    Remarks From Some Executives

     The director of sales for Webfleet in South Africa, Justin Manson, stated that the company now feels it is the appropriate moment to expand in an earnest manner throughout the Southern African Development Community region as a result of the fact that three markets now offer committed resources to transport and logistics customers in those countries.

    Due to the fact that they are a part of Bridgestone, they have realised the chance to capitalise on the enormous African footprint that the firm has in order to extend the telematics and connected car solutions that they offer.

    The company plans to provide a service in Botswana that is analogous to the one that is currently available in Namibia. “from basic vehicle tracking to comprehensive fleet management, including live diagnostic data collection and real-time route optimisation,” the company states its services range “from basic vehicle tracking to comprehensive fleet management.”

    According to a statement released by Bridgestone, the company plans to implement additional cutting-edge solutions whenever they are required or when customers make specific requests for them. These solutions may include onboard cameras and other pieces of technology.

    According to Malebogo Busang, general manager of Kgare Digital, the investment made by Webfleet will not only result in the creation of high-quality jobs in the area, but it will also mark the birth of a new sector.

    Busang has stated that tracking services are still in their infancy on the market,, so this team will be a vital part of the journey to build advanced capabilities in telematics and the logistics sector.

    Because Botswana is landlocked, almost everything that the country consumes must be imported. The majority of trade is conducted via road transport through the country’s two ports of entry, which are located in Namibia and South Africa.

    This provides the ideal opportunity to put into practise the essential digitisation of vehicles, allowing them to operate in a manner that is both more intelligent and efficient

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    About Webfleet

    The fleet management software solutions offered by Webfleet are among the most advanced Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) products available today. Webfleet can improve vehicle performance, save money on fuel, support driver performance, and promote overall fleet efficiency by providing greater visibility of your data. This is true regardless of the size of your company.

    Webfleet Plugins allow users to view data from numerous sources inside a single interface, which significantly increases visibility. You have the option of integrating known and tested applications, such as temperature or tyre pressure sensors, from among your already installed applications or from among our many integration partners.

    You will never lose contact with your crew while they are out on the road if you use Webfleet, the market-leading fleet management software for the United Kingdom. From any mobile device you choose, you are provided with the ability to monitor the whereabouts of your vehicles and gain insight into how they are being utilised.

    It makes the data on the performance of your fleet visible, which allows you to be aware of the present status as well as the when and where of any necessary action to be taken. When determining which driver is best suited for the next assignment, take into account real-time traffic information; alternatively, ensure that the driver follows a predetermined route, which you provide straight to the driver’s Driver Terminal.

  • 5G Penetrates Botswana With Orange S.A

    5G Penetrates Botswana With Orange S.A

    The introduction of 5G services by Orange Botswana has increased the adoption of 5G across Africa. The French telecom giant Orange announced the launch of its first commercial 5G network in Botswana.

    Nene Maiga, the CEO of Orange Botswana, had a briefing last week where he discussed the launch’s specifics and announced that 5G would be available in two major towns, including Francistown and Gaborone, covering 30% of the population. The network will eventually extend to more cities.

    Orange Botswana launched the 5G commercial network on November 11, 2022

    Jerôme HENIQUE, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa said “the launch of 5G technology in Botswana will allow us to scale up this technology and gain experience for other Orange countries across Africa.

    “The benefits and potential impact of this are promising. It will help promote Africa’s digital inclusion, resulting in socio-economic growth and job creation.

    “It is also ensuring Africa’s skills development on digital management tools and is in line with the ambitions of the African Union “Digital Transformation for Africa (2022 – 2030). It begins here and now, in Botswana,”

    Read also: Orange Group Inaugurates 11th Digital Centre in Liberia

    5G Penetration In Africa

    Africa has the world’s lowest 5G penetration rate due to issues primarily related to a lack of 5G devices.

    By 2027, only 10% of people will have 5G mobile subscriptions, according to an expert review of 5G analysis.

    Putting Botswana at the forefront of 5G in Africa, this 5G launch will further support innovation and digital inclusion in the nation and is closely aligned with the government’s ambition to use Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) innovation to transform Botswana into a knowledge-based economy that leaves no one behind.

    Local mobile network providers like Orange Botswana, who obtain 5G spectrum licenses from various governments, will have a significant impact on the penetration.

    New services in healthcare, education, and security will be made possible by 5G technology.

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    Orange S.A.

    Previously known as France Télécom S.A., Orange S.A. is a global French telecommunications company.

    Orange is present in 17 nations in the Middle East and Africa. One in ten Africans, according to the firm, are Orange customers.

    Since 2006, Orange has served as the company’s primary brand for services like mobile, landline, internet, and Internet Protocol television (IPTV).

    Following Hutchison Whampoa’s acquisition of a majority stake in Microtel Communications in 1994, the Orange brand was first used in the UK.

    In 1999, Mannesmann became a subsidiary of that business, which France Télécom later acquired in 2000. On July 1st, 2013, France Télécom changed its name to Orange.

    Orange Middle East and Africa (MEA) achieved more than 135 million customers in 2020 and earned revenue of €6.4 billion ($6.6 billion).

    The commercial deployment of Djoliba, a fiber backbone made up of more than 10,000 km of terrestrial fiber connected to 10,000 km of undersea cables, was announced by Orange and its subsidiaries for 2020.

    The fiber backbone that connected the capitals of Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal was the first of its sort in the region.

  • Paratus To Introduce Independent Fiber in Botswana

    Paratus To Introduce Independent Fiber in Botswana

    Paratus Botswana has announced the installation of the first independent fibre in Gaborone’s Central Business District. This will effectively boost the country’s digital development, making it a hub in the Southern African subregions.

    The demand for high-speed connectivity in Botswana has prompted investors and operators to inject more funds into the telecommunication sector. Paratus has invested over 6 million USD in independent fiber connectivity in Botswana in the past 3 years.

     

    About Paratus

    Paratus Botswana is the leading supplier of connectivity, voice, Internet, cloud, and satellite services in the Southern African region. To date, Paratus has invested heavily in independent fibre connectivity in Botswana as a seamless add-on to its existing infrastructure backbone.

     

    The Goal Of The Independent Fibre Roll-out.

    The fibre service will bolster the ever-increasing bandwidth and uptime requirements for businesses and allow for the delivery of uninterrupted services.
    Paratus’s investments seek to strengthen its presence in the market. The Paratus Botswana fibre roll-out adds to the company’s existing infrastructure backbone and services, and the company claims 100% independent international connectivity in Botswana.

     

    Read Also : NCC Approves Elon Musk’s Starlink Operation in Nigeria

     

    Paratus has spent the past two years planning the fiber infrastructure to connect the Botswana network in all the major business and industrial areas.

    The Company’s Statement

    Speaking in a press release, the management of Paratus stated, “By investing in fibre in Gaborone, Paratus Botswana is connecting critical areas in the city. The current deployment is the second phase, distributing fibre in all the major business and industrial areas in Gaborone and malls in the area.

    This is an ongoing process to cover the business areas initially, giving businesses unmatched uptime via a quality connection.” Shawn Bruwer, the Country Managing Director of Paratus Botswana, said “It is incredibly satisfying to see the trenching and installation works taking place, knowing that this has been a vision that we have made a reality and that we can connect our customers directly to our network with fibre.

    We are proud of our achievement and the ability to offer business customers the network service they deserve and need.”

    He added that “Paratus is aligned with the Government’s Botswana Vision 2036. With the aim of transforming Botswana from an upper middle-income country to a high-income country, we’re working hard to help unleash unlimited growth and upliftment.

    Critically, the investment in fibre in Botswana is strategically important in further securing Botswana as a hub in the Southern African region. We are also, of course, closely working in line with the group’s ambitious expansion plan throughout Africa.

    The company is aware of the increased competition vying for a share of Botswana’s telecommunications connectivity market, and believes the quicker it can install its fibre network, the better for its expansion plans- and specifically its target to double revenue within the next five years.

    Of course, there are other big players in the market who are also investing heavily in this space. Our aim is to install fibre as quickly as we can. Our competitive advantage is that we are an independent network offering high quality, excellent service, exceptional speed and real value for money.”

    Also speaking on the fibre deployment, the business Executive Chairman, Barney Harmse said: “Our group’s vision is to transform Africa through exceptional digital infrastructure and customer service. Our objective is to double revenue within the next five years. Our plan for expansion and growth is through investing and deploying the best infrastructure as well as through mergers and acquisitions.

    We have carved the Paratus path across the continent with due care and attention. We are delivering Africa’s quality network. We were born in Africa, we know Africa. There are no limits and that’s what we offer our customers, limitless opportunities through connectivity.”