KitsoNet Set to Boost Botswana’s Digital Economy

The world is in the midst of an unfolding digital revolution and Botswana is no exception. The country has a robust ICT policy known as Maitlamo and enjoys, ‘low technological entry barriers and fixed costs’ which present it with the opportunity to participate and reap social and economic gains from a burgeoning ICT sector. However, for a country of its socio-economic and political standing, Botswana has a very low uptake of ICT’s by individuals, businesses and government.

Enhanced ICT services required for effective participation in the emerging knowledge economy continue to elude a vast majority of the population, and there is evidence that the country’s competitive position in ICT is slipping, as measured in international rankings.

The low uptake of ICT’s and slide in international rankings is compounded by high levels of unemployed IT graduates which poses a threat to national security and prosperity. The paradox of youth unemployment is that there is a critical skills shortage owing to a mismatch between demand in the labour market and available skills.

According to Senior Research Fellow at Botswana Institute of Development Policy Analysis (BIDPA), Dr Grace Tabengwa, it is young people who bear the brunt of the series of demographic and economic shifts of the global socio-economic and political interplay that renders them unemployed. She said studies show that youth unemployment is precipitated by a mismatch between demand in the labour market and available skills and bridging the gap between the extended pool of untapped talent and the shortage of skills is imperative.

It is widely acknowledged that the adoption and use of ICT’s for government and trade by countries can contribute significantly to the development and renovation of established economic and social sectors by reducing unemployment, especially among the youth and boosting efficiencies in service delivery. “Human capital development is a key factor that can transform developing countries’ growth prospects through efficiency, competitiveness and attracting foreign direct investment inflow where expertise of skills is key,” states Dr Tabengwa.

The World Economic Forum’s 2014 Global Information Report on ICT usage, ranks Botswana 99 out of 144 countries. The report measures the extent to which ICT’s enable access for all citizens to basic services such as health, education and financial services among others. According to the report, Botswana ranks at 98, 96 and 91 on ICT usage among individuals, business and government respectively. The report further ranked the country 119 and 122 on business to business internet use and business to consumer internet usage respectively.

Concerns about the country’s low uptake of ICT and high levels of unemployed IT graduates were raised by industry players at the recent ICT Pitso held in Gaborone from the 4^th to 5^th September, 2014. Participants identified the slow take-off of e-government and e-commerce as negatively affecting service delivery in different sectors of the economy and pointed to the adoption of ICT as a critical success factor for personal development, competitive business environment and open, transparent and efficient governance.

Addressing public hearings on the National ICT Policy recently, the outgoing Chairman of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications, Works, Transport and ICT, Odirile Motlhale said although Maitlamo has been around since 2007, Botswana is still in the early stages of ICT’s use in both trade and government. “ICT is yet to be fully utilised at the level it is expected to be in Botswana because initiatives and projects that could aid its uptake by citizens are lagging behind,” he said.

Motlhale said the objective of the policy was to improve legislative oversight, contribute to strengthened implementation of ICT policies and programmes, strengthen stakeholder engagement between civil society and parliament, and bridge the gap between country’s experts and national decision makers.

Elsewhere, in a paper on The Analysis of Mobile Commerce in Botswana, Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC), Chief Operations Officer, Anthony Masunga said while the rest of the world has moved on from e-commerce to m-commerce with mobile technology replacing cash payments, Botswana was still lagging behind. He said a recent case study they conducted revealed that, “75% of the respondents use cash and cheque for payment of monthly bills and that on average 70% of the respondents spend between 15 to 45 minutes in bill payment queues.”

This less productive and time consuming, over-the-counter payment method of bills and application for services reflects the slow responsiveness by a large proportion of the citizenry to transact with government through e-government in areas such as tax filling, application for Omang, driver’s license renewal, business registration among others.

In an effort to bridge the digital divide, boost the country’s digital economy and arrest and reverse the tide of youth unemployment, Botswana Innovation Hub has partnered with Microsoft Innovation Centre (MIC) to launch the KitsoNet and KitsoWorks initiatives.

“KitsoNet is a scheme designed to drive the uptake of internet use and e-commerce through an online portal or store, www.kitsonet.co.bw. The scheme assists public servants and government sponsored students earning allowances to purchase ICT devices, services and training through a salary or allowance advance scheme arranged through First National Bank (FNB),” said MIC Manager, Patel Barwabatsile.  

“The main aim of this scheme is to increase household ownership of ICT devices which will prop-up internet penetration, encourage innovation and use of e-commerce as well as support the development of locally relevant ICT products and services which is key to increasing the country’s technological readiness and competitiveness,” he said.

For his part the Director Marketing, ICT and Registration at Botswana Innovation Hub, Dr Geoffrey Seleka said Botswana Innovation Hub acts as a catalyst in the development of the ICT industry and creation of a local innovative supporting ecosystem. He said the company supports the development of innovative local content, skills and job creation as part of the ICT development strategy and e-government.

Dr Seleka said to tackle ICT graduate unemployment, Botswana Innovation Hub has collaborated with MIC and the Department of National Internship Programme in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, to setup a youth empowerment programme called KitsoWorks.

KitsoWorks is a localised version of the Global Microsoft YouthSpark platform with a job search function, youth mentoring and social and professional networking features. The initiative connects young people around the world with opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship. “The Botswana version of the programme helps unemployed Batswana graduates gain the necessary skills for seamless integration into the emerging digital economy,” declares Patel.

KitsoWorks accords Batswana graduates seeking jobs and business opportunities to submit their credentials to the online platform or database where they can be searched by those looking for  talent and vice versa. The graduate’s deliver value to a pool of participating local companies and in turn receive structured mentorship from their host organisations. “This programme leverages the knowledge, expertise and creativity of industry players and harnesses their technology transfer to build the country’s innovation ecosystem that invariably addresses the country’s socio-economic challenges such as youth unemployment,” states Patel.   

Dr Seleka sees both the KitsoNet and KitsoWorks initiatives modelling the future of Botswana and positioning the country for the next phase of economic development, which is the knowledge-based or weightless economy. He says the two initiatives will give e-government and e-commerce a boost and, “will spur national efforts to universal access to broadband; support workforce development and professional skills enhancement; boost employment and contribute to the country’s economic development by fostering technology transfer and creating new scientific and technological business opportunities,” he said.

 

First Steps Venture Centre Adopts an Outward Oriented Early-Stage Enterprise Support Programme

True to the African proverb that states that, “It takes a village to raise a child,” the Botswana Innovation Hub’s flagship technology entrepreneurship development programme, First Steps Venture Centre (FSVC) takes the holistic view that early-stage enterprise support cannot be done in isolation, rather, an entire community must participate to some extent in the task.

“Successful businesses are not built solely on the plans and execution strategies of their owners, but also with sound advice from experts and professional who support the business,” states FSVC Programme Manager, Tshepo Tsheko.

Tsheko’s definition of the village extends beyond the confines of the local precinct. He is of the view that the advent of the Information Age has ushered in an era which considers the world as a single community, a global village linked by electronic media. This contemporary network society is based on the use of ubiquitous Information and Communications Technology (ICT’s), networks and personal communication tools, that allow people to share knowledge and experiences across the world.

Tsheko was speaking at the inaugural Innovative Entrepreneurs Workshop organised by FSVC and the US Embassy’s Speaker Programme on the 8^th September earlier this month. The Innovative Entrepreneurs Workshop series brings world renowned business coaches, mentors and experts to support early-stage enterprises enrolled into the FSVC programme to engender and support a vibrant local technology start-up ecosystem.

Tsheko says beyond nurturing technology entrepreneurship and providing technology start-up businesses with a potential to grow locally and into the international markets, “FSVC has infused this exciting value addition as we step up and step out to the rest of the world with real life, bareknuckle, practical mentorship programmes that offer invaluable experience of the fiercely contested business environment for our clients.”  

It is this view of the global village and the provision of technology entrepreneurship support in the form of non-financial resources such as mentorship, expert guidance and access to industry events that is essential for entrepreneurs and has given the FSVC programme its outward orientation. The outward oriented early-stage enterprise support is highly sought by local businesses that seek a truly competitive global edge.

The inaugural workshop hosted highly acclaimed international speaker and mentor, Peter Corbett, who is also the founder and CEO of iStrategyLabs, a digital agency based in Washington DC. Introducing Corbett to participants, Acting Economic and Political Chief at the US Embassy, Chansonette Yun said, Corbett is widely known for his marketing acumen coupled with a deep technical background and focus on community building having spent many years as a grassroots organizer driven to build healthy ecosystems for entrepreneurs.

She said, “His company has worked with the likes of The US Army, Microsoft, Disney, NASDAQ, Coca-Cola, Ford, Volkswagen, and many other international brands.”

Yun said Corbett has mentored many start-up accelerator classes around the world, advised hundreds of early stage technology company’s and is frequently called upon by media houses such as Time Magazine, Washington Post and CNN to provide his perspective on technology, entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elements of the Innovative Entrepreneurs Workshop included modules on Defining the Value Proposition; Validating the Market; Attracting Investors; Assessing Competition; Moving from Technocrat to Technopreneur; Marketing and Sales Strategies and Thinking Global.

For his part Corbett said he is driven by a passion for all things technical and entrepreneurial. He said in a world where eight out of ten entrepreneurs who start businesses fail within the first eighteen months, mentoring is an effective way to reduce the learning curve for early-stage enterprises while according them valuable experience for professional and personal development. He said he was happy to be in Botswana and working with FSVC to provide technology entrepreneurship development support.

 

The FSVC technology entrepreneurship development programme was established in November, 2013 and boasts an illustrious ensemble of local business mentors and coaches for its clients. These are accomplished business men and women with broad and deep experience. The expertise of this eclectic ensemble that is seasoned with a pinch of youth ranges from business consultancy to ICT. Amongst the distinguished luminaries are Kenneth Molosi, Neo Ngwako, Evelyn Gaetsaloe and Itumeleng Garebatshabe.     

Tsheko explains that Botswana Innovation Hub has been established as part of an economic game changing institution to build the country’s first Science and Technology Park and help transform the country into a technology-driven and knowledge-based economy. The company achieves this by promoting a culture of innovation and competitiveness among its associate companies and knowledge-based institutions. It established FSVC to support technology transfer and serve as a one-stop-shop for entrepreneurial support, he says.

The enthused Tsheko could not hide his joy over the technology entrepreneurship development programme’s latest accomplishment, “FSVC will continue to bring world renowned business mentors, coaches and even technology evangelists as we position ourselves as the imitable rainmakers, the self-driven game changers and success factor for technology entrepreneur start-ups in the country. We are blazing!” he declares.   

A Robust ICT Developer Community Will Enhance Botswana’s Digital Prospects

“Smartphones for the masses,” and “Africa’s mobile boom powers the innovation economy,” screamed two headlines in the local print media in the past week. The first caption was announcing the arrival of the Alcatel One Touch Pixi 2 smartphone which has broken the P1000 barrier to smartphone access with its P600 price tag. “Industry experts have often put the price tag separating ordinary handset and smartphone, and its related access to the web, at P1000,” states the article which has no byline. The author(s) quotes the experts assertion that the smartphone landscape is rapidly changing with high quality smartphones becoming increasingly affordable and accessible and goes on to predict that, “Any smartphone that breaks the P1000 mark would open the floodgates of mass access to the web.”

The second headline introduces a feature article celebrating the advent of the ubiquitous connectivity of mobile and wireless devices and their transformation of African lives for the better. The article states that in a continent where access to electricity is still patchy, particularly in non-urban areas one cannot talk about Africa without talking about mobile and energy-frugal applications. “It is not hard to understand why. Installing a traditional fixed-line telecoms infrastructure makes no economic sense across huge, sparsely populated, and sometimes difficult to cross terrains”, it states.

“Before mobile came along, access to data was limited for millions of Africans, but by the end of 2014 more than 600 million people - about 56 percent of the population - are likely to own a mobile phone, with some researchers estimating penetration could reach 80%”, reflects the BBC article which credits smartphones as powerful and pervasive sources of data through the web.

The Human Rights Council of the United Nations General Assembly states that the Internet is one of the most powerful instrument of the 21^st century for increasing access to information, transparency and facilitating active citizen participation in building democratic societies. The world body has declared access to the Internet as a basic human right which provides individuals with, “The potential to provide new solutions to development challenges, particularly in the context of globalisation, and could foster economic growth competitiveness, access to information and knowledge, poverty eradication and social inclusion that would help to expedite the integration of all countries, especially the least developed countries, into the global economy.” The General Assembly goes on to spur global efforts to universal access to broadband.

“A steady fall in the worldwide costs of telephone and broadband internet services has enabled a number of developing countries to expand their access to Information Communication Technology (ICT) and thereby close the digital divide,” observes The United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The surge in the numbers of mobile broadband subscriptions in developing countries has brought the Internet to a multitude of new users states the annual report which is viewed as the industry benchmark for technology development with a reputation as a wholly impartial and reliable source of the most comprehensive statistical and analytical report on the shape of ICT markets across the world. 

For its part, The Worlds Bank’s Information and Communications for Development 2012 Report states that the mobile revolution is right at the start of its growth curve with mobile devices becoming cheaper and more powerful while networks are doubling in bandwidth and expanding into rural areas. This development has presented a huge opportunity for Africa which is regarded as, the world’s biggest online market of the future. The continent has the fastest growing mobile phone market penetration with subscription rates growing at 278% between 2005 and 2010 and with the total application market expected to reach US $15 billion in revenue this year. Botswana currently enjoys low technological entry barriers and fixed costs which presents the country with the opportunity to participate and reap social and economic gains from a burgeoning ICT sector.

In seizing this opportunity, the country has established the Botswana Innovation Hub to contribute to the country’s economic development and competiveness by creating new scientific, technological and indigenous knowledge-based business opportunities. The company has identified ICT as one of the focus sectors in which it acts as a catalyst in the development of the ICT industry and creation of an innovation supporting ecosystem. The company supports the development of innovative local content, skills and job creation as part of the National ICT development strategy and e-government.

In the quest to grow the industry, Botswana Innovation Hub has appointment an ICT Developer Community Officer to establish and nurture the growth of a dynamic and market relevant ICT Developer community. Ms Tirelo Ramasedi joins Botswana Innovation Hub to stimulate the establishment, growth and engagement of an ICT Developer community.

Ramasedi is of the view that a robust ICT Developer Community is a necessary catalyst in the drive to have effective innovation and technology based economic expansion. She believes that in supporting the company’s major strategic initiative for developing advanced science and technology capital and activities the local ICT Developer Community must be coordinated and engaged. “We have the skills and competencies to produce quality products and services that will help us benefit from the rapid economic and social dividends that accrue from easy access to the internet and its technologies,” she says.

Director of Marketing, Registration and ICT at Botswana Innovation Hub, Dr Geoffrey Seleka says the country has one of the most progressive National ICT Policy’s called Maitlamo. He says, “Maitlomo has liberalised the telecommunications industry and established excellent ICT infrastructure in the form of Nteletsa 1 and 2 and Cloud Computing Data Centres to give the country access to world class bandwidth and quality, cost effective service.

Selaka however cautions that while the country currently has one of the highest levels of mobile and fixed-line penetration in Africa it faced challenges of unemployed IT graduates and a low ranking of engagement in e-governance. He points out that the mass availability of smartphones and rising use of internet following improvements in international connectivity is a most welcome development that will invariably result in mass access to the web. Seleka is optimistic that, “The low technological entry barriers and fixed costs offer vast revenue and growth potential for entrepreneurs and job creation.

Botswana Innovation Hub Sets Up A Technology Transfer Office

In the emerging knowledge economy, a country’s ability to build and mobilise knowledge capital is fostered in part by the legal recognition and protection of the exclusive rights of creations of the mind. The World Bank defines the body of law where governments award exclusive economic rights to artists and inventors in their creations, in order to stimulate technically and socially valuable and innovative contributions to society as Intellectual Property (IP). Intellectual property covers creations of the mind such as inventions, discoveries, literary and artistic works, designs and symbols, names and images used in commerce to encourage the development of creative and artistic endeavours.

The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) which is an agency of the United Nations states that intellectual property rights are like any other property right. They allow creators, or owners, of patents, trademarks or copyrighted works to benefit from their own work or investment in a creation. These rights are outlined in Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which provides for the right to benefit from the protection of moral and material interests resulting from authorship of scientific, literary or artistic productions.

In its recognition of IP, WIPO states that, “the progress and well-being of humanity rests on its capacity to create and invent new works in the areas of technology and culture and that the legal protection of new creations encourages the commitment of additional resources for further innovation while the promotion and protection of intellectual property spurs economic growth, creates new jobs and industries and enhances the quality and enjoyment of life.” 

It is estimated that up to 75% of the value of companies is based on their intellectual property and that, this value can rise up to 100% for small startup companies. The Economist states that intellectual property rights are not only essential for business growth as they help to protect investors and their ideas or business concepts but that they also enhance countries ease of doing business index. The World Bank index measures a country’s regulatory environment to determine if it is conducive to the starting and operation of companies. Higher rankings indicate better, usually simpler, regulations for businesses and stronger protection of property rights.

Following years of impressive economic performance, Botswana is in the throes of diversifying its economy away from diamond mining to a knowledge-based one and Botswana Innovation Hub is one of the major strategic initiatives for diversifying the national economy. In keeping with international best practice, the country has adopted a framework law on patents, copyright and trademarks which enables people to earn recognition or financial benefit from what they invent or create. IP laws aim to foster an environment in which creativity and innovation flourish and working within these laws, Botswana Innovation Hub is building a conducive national innovation ecosystem through a private-public partnership initiative that involves research and development with academic institutions and the public and private sector.

Botswana Innovation Hub has partnered with the Southern Africa Innovation Support (SAiS) programme and the University of Botswana and University of Namibia to established a National Technology Transfer Office (TTO). 

The Technology Transfer Office opened its doors earlier this month following the appointment of the Technology Transfer Officer, Samuel Kopano Gaborone who brings along extensive experience and a wealth of knowledge in the commercialization of technological ideas, products and services. Operating from the First Steps Venture Centre (FSVC) at the River Walk Annex, the office exists to assist Innovators and Inventors in the commercialisation of their technological ideas, products and services. This entails a thorough break-down and interrogation of such in-coming inventions for possible IP protection, assisting with drafting of any IP claims made, identification of existing manufacturing partners, or in their absence, facilitation of creation of Spin-off companies to up-take the research results, assistance with Commercialisation Licensing encompassing Non-Disclosure and benefit sharing clauses, stake-holder management and general dissemination of information on Intellectual Property and Tech Transfer.

Gaborone says, “It is early days in the establishment of the TTO but we envisage that, in the long term, the office will be a National Office servicing the broader research community in Botswana.” He encourages innovators, inventors and technology entrepreneurs to, “come and join us in improving Botswana’s industrial and commercial competitiveness, creating employment, serving society and enhancing the quality of our citizen’s life through commercialisation of scientific, engineering and Indigenous Knowledge-based innovations.” Gaborone says an efficient and equitable intellectual property system can help the country realize its intellectual property’s potential as a catalyst for economic development and social and cultural well-being.

 

Polishing Botswana’s True Diamonds to Shine on the Global Stage

Botswana’s investment in the skills and talents of its people paid off in a spectacular manner when the nation celebrated magnificent sporting feats this past week. Our athlete’s sterling performance at the Africa Youth games, Nijel Amos winning the 800 meter Prefontaine Classic and a resurgent national football team, The Zebra’s scrapping through a 1 - 0 victory over Burundi to proceed to the second round of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers provided a huge boost to national pride and confidence to take on the world. Botswana Innovation Hub takes this opportunity to congratulate our sporting heroes for doing us proud.

 

Botswana’s recent impressive sporting record mirrors its remarkable economic record that has hitherto been built on a foundation of diamond mining. However the diminishing sparkle and appeal of the gem stones has brought a sharp focus on the country’s foremost asset and ‘True Diamonds’ - its people. As the brilliance and allure of our diamonds continues to wane, as with any other non-renewable resource, and investments in ‘true diamonds’ begin to give a healthy return on investment as demonstrated by our sporting achievements, the situation calls for the country to extend its investment in its true diamonds beyond sports to other spheres of human endeavor.

 

People are a country’s number one asset and human capital the most important pillar of business success. People hold the key to the country’s future and in response to structural and strategic shifts in the global economic landscape that has seen a drop in the appeal and sale of diamonds, Botswana seeks to diversify its economy away from being resource based to one that depends on the knowledge, skills and competencies of its people as the main raw material that will unlock economic value.

 

Botswana Innovation Hub has been set up as one of the entities that seek to achieve transformation of the country from a resource based to a technology-driven and knowledge-based economy through investment in people. The company aims to build the country’s first science and technology park in which to polish the country’s true diamonds by fostering entrepreneurship and technology transfer, promoting a culture of innovation and competitiveness and developing advanced science and technology innovation capital.

 

In an effort to create an enabling innovation environment, Botswana Innovation Hub established its flagship Technology Entrepreneurship Development programme, First Steps Venture Centre (FSVC) to support technology transfer and offer a one-stop-shop for entrepreneurial support that will polish the country’s true diamonds and enhance their competitiveness in the global market. Established in May 2013, FSVC identifies, develops and nurtures viable technology oriented start-up businesses with a potential to grow locally and into international markets.

 

A year into its existence, FSVC displayed flair and big match temperament by bursting onto the world stage with an ingenious, show stopping curtain raiser conference for the 2014 IASP Africa Division Conference that was held at the Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC) in April this year. Dubbed the 2014 IASP Africa Division Pre-Conference, the trailblazing workshop with a youth and technology entrepreneurship focus featured a business idea pitching session in the mould of the famous BBC Dragons Den television programme. The FSVC pitching session adopted the name Lion’s Den to bring it closer to home and featured entrepreneurs pitching their viable and potentially very profitable business ideas to a panel of venture capitalists "Lions" with a view to secure invaluable investment finance and mentorship from possible backers.

 

An upbeat FSVC programme manager Tshepo Tsheko said, “The innovative and creative addition to the IASP conference was the first of its kind and distinguished FSVC as a formidable player on the global stage.” He said the achievement set the tone of where FSVC wants to go and emphasised that innovation and support network is an integral ingredient in any start-up eco-system. “FSVC programme not only aims to nurture technology start-ups into sustainable enterprises that will graduate into the mainstream economy, provide employment and contribute to local economic development but also ensures that these enterprises will be competitive enough to venture into regional and global markets,” he said.

 

Themed, "Expanding African Economic Frontiers through Emerging Technology Entrepreneurs and Innovators," the novel Pre-Conference workshop addressed issues around Business Incubation and Acceleration, Financing Technology Start-Ups and Protection of Intellectual Property. Also featured into the workshop were real-life testimonials from distinguished business leaders and guests in the technology entrepreneurship development and enterprise development space from across the world.

 

In a post conference interview, Botswana Innovation Hub’s Cluster Development Director, Dr Budzanani Tacheba said that the Pre-Conference and Lion’s Den initiatives were fresh and brilliant ideas that focused on entrepreneurship and its relevance to the Science and Technology Park environment. He said, “The IASP has since adopted the trendsetting ideas of the pre-conference and business idea pitch session into their conferences beginning with the next International Conference to be held in Doha, Qatar in October later this year.”

 

Delighted with the outcome of both the pre-conference and the Lion’s Den, Tsheko says the rapid rate of the technology adoption lifecycle constantly challenges his team to stay ahead of the game with savvy solutions for their clients. “FSVC offers an attractive suite of services and amenities to eligible individuals and companies including, ready to use offices (plug and play) with readily available internet and telephone services; subsidized rental – low costs due to shared services, Intellectual Property and legal support; media and brand support; access to local and international industry networks; dedicated technology advisory services; dedicated business advisory - helping combine business plan and strategy; entrepreneurship development training; access to international markets; and lastly we will shortly be offering financial support through the Innovation Fund in line with its policy framework,” he enthused.

 

Its Always Hard To Say Goodbye

When Botswana Innovation Hub evolved from a project office in the Ministry of Infrastructure Science and Technology and Alan Phemelo Boshwaen was tasked with setting up Botswana Innovation Hub company, he set out to establish a lean, agile, professional, motivated, high performance outfit that would deliver a unique structure for professional innovation support and help achieve local and regional economic development objectives. Boshwaen put together an eclectic mix of youth and old hands from a myriad of professional backgrounds to help him deliver on the company’s mandate. With all the skills and expertise he could assemble, the challenge then was how to get them to work together like a well-oiled machine to optimize the company’s strategic objectives.

 

Along came Richard Molosiwa, a human resource management practitioner with extensive work experience and glowing academic credentials to boot. Molosiwa joined Botswana Innovation Hub as Human Resources Manager in September 2013. His brief was to get the specific roles and complementary talents and skills set of Botswana Innovation Hub’s staff aligned to achieve the company’s strategic objectives. The establishment of Botswana’s first science and technology park demands a high performance team and in the eight months that Molosiwa has been with the company, he has set up a robust human resource management policy that covers recruitment, training, talent management, and performance appraisals and rewarding. 

 

Molosiwa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (University of Botswana), Master of Business Leadership degree (University of South Africa), Executive Development Program degree (University of Cape Town) and Diploma in Company Direction (Graduate Institute of Management and Technology).  He has worked extensively in the local corporate setting and ran a successful consultancy firm before joining Botswana Innovation Hub.

 

A stanch Catholic who was taught to go to church every Sunday and grew up harboring aspirations of becoming a priest, Molosiwa says he is inspired by his mother who raised him and his siblings from meager means and instilled the virtue of education in them.   He points to the late Baledzi Gaolathe who served as Governor of Bank of Botswana and Minister of Finance as his all-time role model and mentor. He says he landed in his profession by ‘accident’, he had chosen Labour Economics as a course in his final year at the University of Botswana, the course was taught by a visiting professor who made him develop interest in labour matters and upon graduating he worked for the Labour Department. “I then made my way into real HR by joining the private sector after two years in government. The rest is history,” he says.

 

On his impressions on the Botswana Innovation Hubs mandate, Molosiwa says the company has a very ambitious mandate which is doable as long as the team pulls together as one. He says the challenge is to get the best out of the skills and competencies within the different employees that constitute the company’s staff. “In simple terms, the company must harness the different talents inherent in each employee in order to achieve the company’s mandate,” he says.

 

Molosiwa went on to say, “So far I have observed that the CEO is open minded on most issues and this should allow the team members to make their voices heard and contribute to advancing the Botswana Innovation Hub mandate. The other good point is the composition of the Botswana Innovation Hub Board. It has a combination of well experienced individuals and I believe this Board will drive the Botswana Innovation Hub mandate to its successful implementation.”

 

Molosiwa is of the view that best management practices recognize people as the number one resource and organizations that are endowed with the best financial and other resources but fail to optimise their human capital often struggle to realize their goal. He says, “I enjoy interacting with people and HR is a natural place to be in. One learns a lot by just listening to others and I have learnt to never judge an individual by either their level in society or level of their education. Everyone has something unique to contribute to this universe, no matter how small.”  

 

Molosiwa leaves Botswana Innovation Hub at the end of May to take up office at Khoemacau Copper Mining Company. He is modest about his achievements at Botswana Innovation Hub and downplays his achievements by insisting that it is up to his former colleagues to determine whether he made a meaningful impact during his stay at the company. “Eight months is a short time to achieve anything but I came into Botswana Innovation Hub from a consultancy world where eight months is long enough to achieve something,” he says.

 

In a small ceremony to bid him farewell, CEO Boshwaen said Molosiwa distinguished himself by being the embodiment of a high performance employee and setting up and implementing the company’s HR policies in record time. He thanked Molosiwa for his invaluable contribution to the success of the company and wished him well in his future endeavors.

 

For his part, Molosiwa said, “The future of Botswana innovation Hub is exciting and future success will be determined by how much each employee contributes or is allowed to contribute. The skills sets (competencies) at Botswana Innovation Hub are quiet diverse and all have a part to play. The challenge is whether there is enough space made at the ‘table of ideas’ to allow young and creative minds to participate in shaping the future.” He emphasized his believe in the objectives of Botswana Innovation Hub and said he will forever remain a Friend of the company.  

 

Molosiwa is married Tebogo. The couple have three children, a daughter and three sons. In their spare time, the couple have turned a hobby into a thriving agribusiness. They run a successful irrigation farming project outside Molepolole and have been named the preferred farmers by the Shoprite Group that also owns Checkers and U-Save retailers. The business which employs seven full time employees is doing so well Tebogo has quit her job to run it on a full time basis.

 

The Legacy of the 2014 IASP Africa Division Conference

For a company that is still in its infancy and working hard to find its footing in the fiercely contested ‘beauty pageant’ for foreign direct investment (FDI), Botswana Innovation Hub put together a compelling bid for the 2014 International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) Africa Division Conference and went on to successfully host the event.  Appropriately themed, ‘Science and Technology Park’s expanding economic frontiers in Africa.’ The Director General of IASP Luis Sanz applauded the company for hosting a conference that achieved its primary goal of highlighting the role of science and technology parks as, “complex structures for professional innovation support and helping to achieve local and regional economic development objectives.”

 

The bid to host the conference was made a year earlier at the 30^th annual IASP conference in Racife, Brazil and at the time Botswana Innovation Hub was an affiliate member of the worldwide network of science parks and areas of innovation. The affiliate member status was conferred on account of the fact that construction of the local science park had barely commenced, the company was still growing its active membership numbers and partnerships that offer professional innovation support and programmes that cultivate a vibrant innovation ecosystem.  

 

The company’s ambitious bid and successful conference is a powerful declaration of its presence and statement of intent by the relatively new player in the global economic sphere and the use of science and technology parks as special purpose vehicles for economic diversification. Botswana Innovation Hub has been established as part of a game changing national ensemble that has been put together to play a key role in the country’s economic diversification drive. The company is set to transform Botswana into a technology-driven and knowledge-based economy through attraction of FDI in technology transfer and adaption, research commercialization and fostering a stronger national system of innovation and technology entrepreneurship development.

 

The success of the 2014 IASP Africa Division is a demonstration of the company’s resolve to play in the major league of the global economy and has left a lasting legacy for Botswana Innovation Hub. While the many benefits from conference attendance are hard to quantify, the local economic benefits of flights, lodging, subsistence and sale of art and craft are undeniable. There is also the networking, the opportunity to build new partnerships, strengthen innovation strategies and promote world-class research and the opportunity for the company to attract FDI inflows and spur knowledge-based economic growth.   

 

The major outcome of the conference however came a month after the conference when Botswana Innovation Hub CEO Alan Boshwaen announced that the IASP Executive Board declared that it has bestowed full member credentials on Botswana Innovation Hub, “for its fulfilment of all conditions of being operational, including having active innovation programmes such as FSVC, MIC, Clean Tech, SAiS, making tangible progress in construction of the park and having an active member list comprising academic institutions, public and private sector partners, small and large businesses and a growing list of anchor tenants that have signed up to locate in the park.”

IASP membership confers full IASP accreditation on Botswana Innovation Hub, international visibility, global networking and access to a broad knowledge base with a formidable multiplier of resources and opportunities. It grants powers on the company to influence policy and the agenda of the global science and technology park association as well as engender transformation of the local economy to a technology driven and knowledge-based one that attracts the FDI flows and contributes to the country’s economic development and competitiveness.

 

2014 IASP Africa Division Conference Lays a Solid Foundation for a Weightless Economy

The establishment of science and technology parks in Africa finds its rationale in the willingness of African countries to seek greater competitiveness of their economies through improved achievement of their scientific, technological and innovation potential says McLean Sibanda president of the International Association of Science and Technology Parks (IASP) and Areas of Innovation (AI’s) Africa Division.  Sibanda, who is also CEO of The Innovation Hub in South Africa, was speaking at the just ended 2014 IASP Africa Division conference that took place at Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC) from the 9^th to the 11^th April, 2014.

Botswana Innovation Hub in association with the Southern Africa Innovation Support (SAiS) programme, BoFiNET, Dimension Data, BOCRA, Botho University and Orange Botswana hosted the 2014I ASP Africa Division Conference. The conference brought together leaders, experts, and professionals from science and technology parks, areas of innovation, technology-based incubators, (all collectively referred to as “STPs & AIs”) academia, the public sector and businesses.

The theme of the conference was, ‘Science and Technology Parks (STP’s) expanding economic frontiers in Africa.’ The conference had three sub-themes, the first being Science Parks and Economic Diversification which discussed the role STP’s play in addressing job creation and socio-economic challenges. The second sub-theme, Africa and Innovation, discussed the challenges in the continent that science, technology and innovation can and is addressing. The final sub-theme, Science, Technology and Sustainable Development discussed the role of STP’s and AI’s in sustainable development, with particular emphasis on sustainable energy production, water conservation, waste management, service delivery and productivity in Africa.

IASP is the worldwide network of science parks and areas of innovation with over 388 members in 71 countries. The association connects professionals managing science, technology and research parks and other areas of innovation and provides services that drive growth and effectiveness for its members. Botswana Innovation Hub is an affiliate member of IASP while it works on its operations, service offering and membership volume to qualify for full membership.

In an scenario where, “it is now generally accepted that Africa is the richest continent in the world by natural resources but the poorest by bank balance, Africa’s blessings must not just be seen in its numerous resources, its biodiversity or its topographical beauty but in its people who are a spiritual and physical resource.” The advent of the knowledge-based or weightless economy where the economy is driven by people and their interaction and production in the exchange of both explicit and tacit knowledge recognizes people as the most important pillar of business success and information as a critical resource that is essential for the knowledge-based economy.

This view is supported by Barbra Jansen who states that, “Information is the currency for knowledge and a social and economic asset whose acquisition enables one to form intelligent opinions and sound business decisions.” She asserts that information is a prerequisite for the development of any individual, organization or nation and is widely regarded as the most democratic form of power, and that power in the politics and economies of the future will flow to those who have the best information and knowledge.

Officially opening the conference, Vice President of the Republic of Botswana, Hon. Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe said the recognition of the economic value of knowledge has created an enabling environment for the establishment of science and technology parks. Dr Kedikilwe said science and technology parks have set out to rewrite the African economic order by addressing the African puzzle of abundant resources in the midst of poverty and how the continent can address this by providing unique platforms for knowledge-based economies that diversify and expand African economic frontiers.

Dr Kedikilwe said that innovation plays a pivotal role to the economic status of countries and that it is critical for governments to give support to projects, companies and individuals who show interest in innovation.“It is through innovation that some countries around the world have excelled their economies, hence equipping their people with the necessary  tools and support to carry out such projects to sustain their local demands to even the outside markets,” revealed Kedikilwe.

He added that with the theme of the conference being, ‘Science and Technology Parks expanding economic frontiers in Africa,’ it is no doubt that innovation of new ideas and establishment of technology parks by governments such as the Botswana Innovation Hub is a clear indication that African countries are also identifying the importance of innovation as a critical aspect of boosting their economic fortunes.

In his address to the conference, the Director General of IASP, Luiz Sanz said through the establishment of Botswana Innovation Hub, government recognizes the economic challenges that Botswana as a nation and Batswana as a people face as a direct or indirect consequence of being part of the greater global community. He praised the establishment of Botswana Innovation Hub as a game changer that forges the way forward for the country to transform its economy from being resource based to that which depends on knowledge as its main raw material.

The conference delegates came from across the world with presentations from places such as Nigeria (Abuja Technology Village), Morocco (Techno Park), Tanzania, Namibia, Mozambique, Spain, Switzerland, South Africa and many others.

Speaking at the end of the conference, Botswana Innovation Hub CEO Alan Boshwaen said the conference was a resounding success, “From our point of view, the conference achieved the primary objective of deepening stakeholder awareness about the role of science technology parks and areas of innovation and strengthening inter SADC, Africa and international networks that can coalesce further and catalyze action around the conference themes.” He said the conference allowed Botswana Innovation Hub to cultivate and leverage a community of experts as well as build a deeper consensus about its role in the Botswana innovation system and the progress made.

For his part, Botswana Innovation Hub’s Marketing, Registration and ICT Director, Dr Geoffrey Seleka believes that, “Building on the success of the conference, we are confident that with the commencement of construction of the parks Icon Building, the increasing strategic partnerships that offer professional innovation support, the ongoing and expanding programmes that cultivate a vibrant innovation ecosystem and the growing membership numbers we will soon qualify for full IASP membership. He thank sponsors and participants for a successful conference that builds a solid foundation for the country’s knowledge-based economy.  

All conference papers have been posted on the conference portal on the Botswana Innovation Hub website: www.bih.co.bw

First Steps Venture Centre ‘Blazing’ The 2014 IASP Africa Division Pre-Conference Training

As the world leaders, experts and professionals from Science and Technology parks, areas of innovation and technology - based incubators, academia, the public sector and business converge in Gaborone for the 2014 IASP Africa Divison Conference, First Steps Venture Centre (FSVC) is putting together a showstopper curtain raiser to the conference dubbed the ISAP Africa Division Pre-Conference Training.

The showpiece with a youth and technology entrepreneurship focus is slated for 9^th April, 2014 at Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC). The theme of the workshop is, “Expanding African Economic Frontiers through Emerging Technology Entrepreneurs and Innovators.”

The workshop will address issues around Business Incubation and Acceleration, Financing Technology Startups and Protection of Intellectual Property. Also featured into the workshop are real-life testimonials from distinguished business leaders and guests in the technology entrepreneurship development and enterprise development space at The Innovation Hub of South Africa.

Also included in the lineup is an exciting module on How to slay the Dragon. Based on the famous BBC Dragons’ Den television programme which features entrepreneurs pitching their viable and potentially very profitable business ideas to a panel of venture capitalists “Dragons” with a view to secure investment finance from the panel.     

FSVC Programme Manager, Tshepo Tsheko says, “The goal of the event is to put into perspective some of the key components of becoming a successful technology entrepreneur.” He called on, “all Techies, youth, entrepreneurs and those aspiring alike to come and be part of an emerging and interactive platform that is aimed at assisting them with making bankable business proposals. He said he hoped The Dragons Dan will engender investment opportunities for FSVC hosted startup companies.   

 

Botswana Innovation Hub Hosts the 2014 IASP Africa Division Conference

Botswana Innovation Hub in association with the Southern Africa Innovation Support (SAIS) programme will host the 2014 International Association of Science Parks (IASP) and Areas of Innovation (AI) Africa Division Conference from the 9^th to the 11^th April, 2014 at Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC). IASP is the worldwide network of science parks and areas of innovation with over 388 members in 71 countries. The conference will bring together leaders, experts, and professionals from Science and Technology Parks, areas of innovation, technology-based incubators, (all collectively referred to as “STPs & AIs”) academia, the public sector and businesses.

The theme of the conference is, ‘Science and Technology Parks (STP’s) expanding economic frontiers in Africa.’ The conference has three sub-themes, the first being Science Parks and Economic Diversification which will discuss the role STP’s play in addressing job creation and socio-economic challenges. The second sub-theme, Africa and Innovation, will discuss the challenges in the continent that science, technology and innovation can and is addressing. The final sub-theme, Science, Technology and Sustainable Development will discuss the role of STP’s and AI’s in sustainable development, with particular emphasis on sustainable energy production, water conservation, waste management, service delivery and productivity in Africa.

The major objective of the conference is to discuss and debate in depth the trends in STPs and AIs across Africa and the world as increasingly complex structures for professional innovation support, helping to achieve local and regional economic development objectives. 

The conference will be officially opened by the Minister of Infrastructure, Science and Technology, Hon. Johnie K. Swartz and will be addressed by the Director General of IASP, Luiz Sanz, the Africa Division President of IASP and CEO of South Africa Innovation Hub McLean Sibanda and delegates from Nigeria (Abuja Science Park Village), Morocco (Techno Park), Tanzania, Namibia, Mozambique, Spain and many others.

It is as well of great importance to mention that key players in the creation of the local innovation ecosystem will participate in the conference. The local participation spans the academic, business and government spheres of the science, technology and innovation landscape. Some key local participants are Hon. MP Odirile Motlhale, Chairman of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Technology; Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BUIST) Vice Chancellor, Professor Hilary Inyang; Botswana Confederation of Commerce Industry and Manpower (BOCCIM) President Leta Mosienyane and UNDP Resident Coordinator Anders Pederson.

The three day conference will be preceded by a Pre-Conference Training with a youth and technology entrepreneurship startup focus. The workshop will address issues around Business Incubation and Acceleration as well as Financing Technology Startups and Protection of Intellectual Property. Also factored into the training programme is an exciting module on how to slay the Dragon, which deals with real life examples on what makes a bankable business proposal.          

The IASP Africa Division Conference kicks off with a welcome reception for registered delegates on the evening of the 9^th April, and then the main conference proceedings on the 10^th April and culminated by a gala dinner at the Botswana Innovation Hub Park on the 10^th April. The conference will end on the 11^th April at 13h00. Tours to the technology business incubation facility, First Steps Venture Centre, will be arranged for 11^th