IPA 2016 Inspires Botswana Innovators

There were no entries from Botswana when the list of the top ten finalists of the Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) 2016 was whittled down from a total of 985 applicants who competed in the premier innovation contest on the African continent. The award ceremony for the annual Pan African competition that celebrates African ingenuity was held at the Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC) on Thursday evening.

The overall winner of IPA 2016 is Dr Valentin Agon from Benin who submitted an anti-malaria drug treatment developed out of natural plant extract. The drug known as Api-Palu is significantly cheaper than available anti-malarial drugs and is popular in Central Africa for its therapeutic and non-toxic effects. Malaria is one of the leading causes of death on the continent and Dr Agon took away US$100,000.00 for his innovation.  

Second prize of US$25,000.00 went to Dr. Imogen Wright from South Africa who has developed the innovative Exatype, a software solution that enables healthcare workers to determine HIV positive patients’ responsiveness to ARV drug treatment. Exatype has the potential to contribute towards effectively managing HIV/AIDS in Africa, and also holds promise in helping detect drug resistance for other disease burdens such as Tuberculosis (TB) and malaria.

The Special Prize for Social Impact went to Dr. Eddy Agbo from Nigeria who has developed a rapid non-blood diagnostic medical device that can diagnose malaria in less than 25 minutes. The Urine Test for Malaria (UMT) is simple and affordable, and a potential game changer in managing malaria across Africa which has the highest number of malaria cases worldwide. The Special Prize for Social Impact earned Dr Agbo US$25,000.00

The IPA is a flagship program of the African Innovation Foundation (AIF) which recognizes, rewards and mobilizes African innovators through promotion of home-grown, market-driven solutions addressing intractable challenges in agriculture, health and well-being, manufacturing and service industry, ICT’s and environment, energy and water.

Botswana Innovation Hub and the Government of Botswana through the Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology partnered with the AIF to host the venerated competitions award ceremony in Gaborone. The bid to host the award ceremony here was endorsed by His Excellency the President Lieutenant General Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama.

Botswana Innovation Hub has been set up by the Government of Botswana as an innovative and networked organisation that promotes technology, entrepreneurship and commercialisation on a purpose built Science and Technology Park in its contribution towards diversifying the economy and transitioning to a knowledge based economy. On the other hand, the Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology is responsible for providing and maintaining building infrastructure, nuclear-safe environment and coordinating research, science and technology.

The transition of an economy from one development stage to another is not an event. It is a long process that is nurtured over time. The move from hunter-gathering to the age of farming and the dawn of the Industrial Revolution 12,000 years later are examples of the seminal transitions in human history, lifestyle and wellbeing. The industrial revolution of the 19th century and the scientific revolution of the 20th century are credited for preparing the conditions for further transformation of civilization to the current digital age of the emerging knowledge-based economy.

The establishment of the Sillicon Valley which now provides a template for the development of Science and Technology Parks and the fairytale transition of the Irish economy to a modern knowledge based economy spans well over 50 years. Established in 2012, Botswana Innovation Hub is still in the infancy of its transition with its Science and Technology Park still under construction. One of the important pre-conditions of the development of a Science and Technology Park is the promotion of cooperation and collaboration between government, industry and academia. International cooperation and collaboration in particular provides cooperating parties with a better vision of global processes and enhances competitiveness. 

Notwithstanding its early development stage, Botswana Innovation Hub has already set up a vibrant national system of innovation with strong linkages between government, industry and academia. Further still, Botswana Innovation Hub is a member of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) and the company’s CEO Alan Boshwaen has recently been elected president of the IASP Africa Division.

IASP is the worldwide network of science parks and areas of innovation that connects professionals managing science, technology and research parks (STPs) and other areas of innovation and provides services that drive growth and effectiveness for its members. The organization strives to enhance the competitiveness of its members and contribute to global economic development through innovation, entrepreneurship, and the transfer of knowledge and technology.

In parallel with the physical infrastructure development, Botswana Innovation Hub has commenced its core business of innovation support through innovation support programmes that include a technology entrepreneurship development programme, First Steps Venture Centre (FSVC), the National Technology Transfer Office, Microsoft Innovation Centre, Clean-Tech Centre and the ICT developer community programme called Cyber City Kgotla among others. 

So while the emerging national innovation ecosystem did not yield any ultimate winners at IPA 2016, “Hosting the award ceremony and celebrating African ingenuity in Gaborone afforded Botswana the opportunity to showcase its commitment to putting innovation at the center of its development strategy,” said Minister of Infrastructure, Science and Technology, Honorable Nonofo Molefhi.

Summing up, CEO Alan Boshwaen said all those involved in the advancement of the frontiers of innovation, science and technology are winners and Batswana innovators will benefit from the networks, cooperation, collaborations and business opportunities that have been presented by IPA 2016. The awareness, exposure and confidence to participate in the continental competition will embolden local innovators and strengthen the national innovation ecosystem.

MODISAR - Doing What Botswana Does Best to Build a Business and Create Jobs

                                                                                                                                                                                       

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) states that, unemployment is a scourge that can harm growth not only because it is a waste of resources, but also because it generates redistributive pressures and subsequent distortions, drives people to poverty, constrains liquidity limiting labor mobility, and erodes self-esteem promoting social dislocation, unrest and conflict.

In the current depressed global economic climate the Central Statistics Office (CSO) reports that Botswana’s unemployment rate is hovering around 20% and with a relatively young population, unemployment among the country’s young people is precariously high at 24%. The youth unemployment rate stands as the second highest amongst middle income countries. This situation presents a double whammy for the youth because even in the best of times, the job market was never going to absorb all job seekers, yet even with the best of intentions, not everyone is meant to be an entrepreneur.

This however, does not mean we should throw our hands up in despair. We must instead work tirelessly to reduce unemployment and create economic opportunities for all, especially the youth. It is increasingly acknowledged that the creation of employment opportunities for young people is among the major development challenges of the 21^st century. Youth unemployment is associated with wasted human potential together with exclusion and entrenched inequality, unsustainability, and in some extreme cases civil and political strife.

Botswana’s economy has historically been agriculture driven until 1965 when diamonds were first discovered and the mineral industry dominated the national economy. At its peak, the mining sector accounted for 80% of the total export of the country's products and 20% of the entire employment sector. In contrast, agriculture accounts for less than 3% of the GDP but remains the mainstay of the rural economy with 32% of the population residing in rural areas and somehow dependent on crop production and livestock farming.

The United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) states that, “to increase the work opportunities available to young people in Africa, government policy and development programmes tend to highlight agriculture and entrepreneurship as two potential pathways.” It therefore makes logic for Botswana to work on its strength in creating employment opportunities for its citizens.

Agriculture plays a critical role in the socio-cultural and economic lives of Batswana with the livestock subsector, and beef cattle farming in particular, contributing significantly to the country’s agricultural output.  80% of the agriculture output is attributed to livestock production. The principal livestock species are cattle with a population of 2.5 million, small stock comprising goats and sheep with a population of 1.5 million, and poultry with a population of 31 million birds. Around 80% of the national cattle herd is kept on communal land while the remaining 20% is kept in commercial farms.

As the backbone of the rural economy, agriculture is able to absorb large numbers of new job seekers and offer meaningful work with public and private benefits, while a more vibrant entrepreneurial culture, new skills and access to capital can avail young people the opportunity to create their own jobs.

Founding partner of AgriCorporate Limited and Chairman of Innovative Youth Organization, Rearabilwe Ramaphane concurs and laments ‘The unexplored diamond in Botswana’s beef industry.’ He contends that the agriculture sector needs to be, “Reformed, redefined and restructured to meet the undisputable business challenges of climate change and slow world economic growth.” Ramaphane advocates for techno-based and digitised business models to boost productivity, unlock employment opportunities and realize high quality agriculture yields.

For some time now, government has embarked on a drive to facilitate this process of innovation and entrepreneurship to and transform the country’s economy from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy as evidenced by a range of policy pronouncements such as the Human Resource Development Strategy, and the National Research, Science, Technology and Innovation Policy.

In addition entities and programmes such as Botswana Innovation Hub, the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA), Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) and Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) have been established as part of a comprehensive framework to promote entrepreneurial development and establish an innovation ecosystem that stimulates national competitiveness and economic growth as well as deal with unemployment. The recent Youth Business Expo 2016 also points to national efforts to empower the youth and bridge the unemployment gap.

Inspired by a conducive national innovation ecosystem, the use of technology to improve agriculture yields presented two enterprising young citizens, Thuto Gaotingwe and Tebogo Dichabeng with a bright spark to establish Modisar, a company that produced a farm management desktop application and web on BETA productivity software application that goes by the same name, Modisar. The farm management application allows farmers to record information about the farm, paddocks, costs, sales, farm equipment, animal numbers as well as animal details.

According to Gaotingwe traditional livestock farmers face a myriad of challenges and although some of the traditional farming practices are still viewed as valuable in some areas, lack of access to information together with distorted indigenous knowledge practices often hinder productivity on the farms. “Traditional farmers have very limited access to information and control in livestock breeding which is an important aspect of achieving full production cycle,” he says.

He goes on to say Modisar does not require an active internet connection to function allowing a farmer to work offline and to synchronize data to cloud servers once there is active internet connection. “By synchronizing data, the farmer is able to have a backup copy of data safe on the cloud which can be accessed via Modisar Farm Management Web Application. Currently the app has farm management applications optimized for cattle, goats and sheep, the major livestock in the country,” states Gaotingwe.

In addition Modisar has a free knowledge base that carries farming articles. The articles currently cover different livestock diseases, vaccinations, feeds and best livestock farming practices. Farmers can download important documents and view a “symptoms gallery” where images of disease symptoms are stored allowing farmers in remote areas to identify diseases and initiate remedial action in real time while they wait for veterinary assistance.

Another value add of the Modisar app is a notification system which keeps farmers connected by alerting them through short message system (SMS) and email on important issues such as feeding, vaccinations and care activities. These notifications are communicated in Setswana or English depending on the farmer’s preferred language.

Modisar, the company is a client of the Botswana Innovation Hub’s technology entrepreneurship development programme, First Steps Venture Centre (FSVC).  Their application is recognized as an African success story and part of the next generation of business and social impact innovations emerging from the region. The app won the 2014 edition of the Orange Africa Social Venture Prize that attracted over 450 ICT startups and entrepreneurs providing technological solutions in diverse fields.  

The pioneering farm management application has done it again this year with the nomination for the 2016 FIELD Africa Enterprise Award. The FIELD Africa Enterprise Award is a product of the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) which was established in June, 2008 to fund innovation for business in Africa. The Pan-African fund supports innovative and commercially sustainable business ideas that have the potential to positively impact the incomes of rural households and close the unemployment chasm.

The FIELD Africa Enterprise Award aims to improve the way agribusiness and other market systems work by facilitating market entry for rural poor households and businesses by stimulating the development and use of affordable and accessible technologies for the benefit of the rural poor. Modisar’s nomination for this prestigious award is testimony that by focusing on our strengths such as beef cattle farming and introducing techno-based and digitised business models the country can improve its competitiveness, increase yields and close the unemployment gap.  

Project Kgolagano Harnesses Telemedicine to Plug the Gaps in National Healthcare Service Delivery

Telemedicine

The World Health Organisation (WHO) prescribes the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental right of every human being. The UN agency advocates for a human rights-based approach to health, this approach advances the right to health in international law and international development processes. The approach further stipulates that the right to health includes access to timely, acceptable and affordable healthcare of appropriate quality in order to achieve the best health outcomes.

The reality however is that rural communities and people of low socioeconomic status face barriers that make it difficult to obtain basic healthcare services. Vulnerable and marginalized groups in societies tend to bear an undue proportion of health problems. Poor access to healthcare comes at both a personal and societal cost as people who do not receive vaccinations, may become ill and spread diseases to others increasing the burden of disease for society overall in addition to the burden borne individually.

The scenario in Botswana is no different as demonstrated by the fact that while government has instituted a robust primary healthcare policy and invested substantially in building health facilities all over the country, quality healthcare and service utlisation remain a challenge outside urban centers. Medical care is rudimentary in rural areas mainly as a result of inadequate skilled health professionals and the logistical and economic challenges of delivering quality medicines to peripheral regions.

Botswana is an average sized country of just over 2 million people. The country is one of the most sparsely populated nations in the world with a density of 3.9/km². Around 10 percent of the population lives in the capital city, Gaborone. With a thinly spread population sitting on a vast plateau that is divided into two distinct topographical regions comprising a hilly bush country and grassland eastern region, and the Okavango Swamps and the Kalahari Desert in the west, service delivery and infrastructure development are a logistical and economic challenge.

To remove the obstacle that deny rural communities access to quality and affordable healthcare, Botswana Innovation Hub in partnership with some of its stakeholders is leveraging science, technology and innovation to help solve social and epidemiological problems that remain a hindrance  to the country’s healthcare service delivery. The company is harnessing the rapid spread of digital technologies to transform healthcare work and service delivery.

In its World Development Report of 2016, The World Bank Group defines the broader development benefits from using these technologies as digital dividends. These returns to digital investment have boosted growth, expanded opportunities and improved service delivery. The report’s, co-author Tim Kelly says, “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.” 

In its drive to develop advanced science and technology innovation capital and activities that advance the country’s productivity and contribute to its competitiveness, Botswana Innovation Hub offers a unique platform for scientific, technological and indigenous knowledge-based innovation. In the process, the company has identified ICT as one of its focal sectors. “The company’s focal sectors were defined by national needs and opportunities to fuel economic diversification and job creation, as well as support the exploration and advancement of solutions to pressing national and global issues,” states ICT and Marketing Director, Tshepo Tsheko.

Tsheko says, investment in science, technology and innovation is essential for economic development and social growth. He says one of the Botswana Innovation Hub flagship programmes, the pilot project on TV White Space (TVWS) broadband access service has been hailed as a resounding success one year after it was launched. Project Kgolagano as the project is officially known, was launched on 12^th March, 2015 at Tsopeng Clinic in Lobatse and is already lauded for enhancing service delivery, through telemedicine and bridging the digital divide.

In telecommunications, TVWS denotes unused spectrum on the frequency range commonly used to deliver television channels. The frequencies allocated to a broadcasting service but not used locally enable the delivery of broadband using dynamic TV spectrum access. Project Kgolagano uses TV White Space technology from the free dynamic TV spectrum to provide hospitals and clinics with access to broadband internet and telemedicine services that facilitate a remote diagnosis network and support local healthcare service delivery.

“The project delivers online healthcare services to regions in Botswana with limited access to broadband and adequate specialized healthcare services using cutting edge technology for the delivery of broadband,” states Manager of the Microsoft Innovation Centre (MIC), Patel Barwabatsile. “Project Kgolagano connectivity enables access to specialised medicine in Gaborone and other locations around the world, with a specific focus on specialised healthcare services such as maternal medicine; cervical cancer screenings; dermatology screenings; HIV screenings and consultations; tuberculosis screenings and consultations; adult pediatric care and internal medicine consultations,” he says.

Kgolagano, is a Setswana word which means “to be connected or networked.” The project is a collaboration between Botswana Innovation Hub; Microsoft Corporation; University of Pennsylvania (UPEN); Global Broadband Solutions; Vista Life Sciences; Botswana Fibre Network (Bofinet) and USAID-NetHope. Barwabatsile states that the project is made possible through the support of the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) to transmit on TV White Spaces, and the collaboration of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Health representing government.

The objective of the project is to demonstrate the efficacy of the cutting edge technology of TVWS equipment and service, assist the regulator BOCRA to come up with the licensing framework for the dynamic spectrum access and use of TVWS as well as deliver the telemedicine health programme through low cost and long range broadband over TVWS. The telemedicine programme allows medical staff to consult with patients in remote locations, with the primary objective to increase the potential scale and reach of health services across Botswana. Furthermore, the project aims to lay the groundwork for future low cost internet access that can assist in increasing education, healthcare, access to markets and small business empowerment throughout Botswana.

The Director of Microsoft’s Technology Policy Group, Paul Garnett says, “Using TVWS for broadband internet connectivity has several distinct advantages which include the technology’s ability to cover greater distances and penetrate common obstructions, with greater efficiencies and reduced implementation costs. The technology is ideal as it can work in areas where there is no electricity, and it can lower the cost of an access base station by a factor of 10. This is a cutting edge technology that has the potential of providing cheaper broadband internet connectivity to areas that were not connected before.”

Garnett goes on to say, this technology uses location-aware devices and online databases to deliver low cost broadband access and other forms of connectivity to consumers. The approach is rooted in the idea that devices with greater knowledge of their surroundings can opportunistically use available radio spectrum. There are many TV broadcast channels that are unused in nearly every location in the world, these empty channels (blocks of spectrum) are what is used in this internet connection.

Following the launch at Tsopeng clinic in Lobatse last year, the pilot project was later extended to run in Francistown and Maun. The hospitals connected to the service are Athlone Hospital in Lobatse, Nyangabwe Hospital in Francistown, and Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital in Maun. In addition to these, Tsopeng clinic in Lobatse, Donga clinic in Francistown and Moeti clinic, Boseja clinic, Maun clinic, Sedie clinic and Maun General clinic were also connected. 

ICT and Marketing Director, Tsheko is excited at the positive outcome of the pilot project and believes that telemedicine will transcends Botswana’s rough terrain and socioeconomic barriers to make quality and appropriate healthcare services affordable and accessible to all. He said while the pilot phase is focused more on the health sector, sectors such as education, agriculture, tourism and security services will all benefit immensely from this technology in future once it is rolled out. 

In his post pilot project report, Barwabatsile concludes that Project Kgolagano has been successful in delivering broadband internet over the TVWS and in the process delivered healthcare services to the pilot sites and their catchment areas. He said the telemedicine programme included a monitoring and evaluation function that documented the socioeconomic impact of the project on the communities involved. The results clearly indicate that the communities reaped economic and social benefits from the pilot project.

“In order to move beyond pilot projects towards sustainable commercial deployments, the report recommends that BOCRA should come up with a regulatory framework for the adoption of the TVWS or dynamic spectrum access,” he says. Barwabatsile goes on to say recognition of the broadband technology will assist in speeding up the commercialization of the TVWS service as most organisations and government entities are willing to adopt or use the service if it is covered by a regulatory framework. 

Botswana Poised to Reap the Benefits of the Transformative Potential of the Digital Revolution

Digital technologies have spread rapidly in much of the world, transforming the worlds of business, work and service delivery. The World Bank Group’s, World Development Report of 2016 defines the broader development benefits from using these technologies as digital dividends. These returns to digital investment have boosted growth, expanded opportunities and improved service delivery.

The report titled, Digital Dividends, states that, “Countries that complement technology investments with broader economic reforms reap digital dividends in the form of faster growth, more jobs and better services.” However, it observes that in countries where the fundamentals are weak, digital technologies have not boosted productivity or reduced inequality.

Presenting the report at Botswana Innovation Hub earlier this month, co-author Tim Kelly said, “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.” 

The report advises that for countries to reap the full benefits of the digital dividends they must promote competitive business environments, increase accountability and upgrade education and skills-development systems to prepare citizens for jobs of the future. 

In Botswana where the economy has historically been agriculture driven until 1967 when diamonds were first discovered, it has now emerged that over reliance on narrow volatile external markets has proved unsustainable and it is forecast that mineral revenue will decline substantially over the next two decades. For this reason economic diversification continues to be promoted, and the values of free enterprise economy encouraged through the drive to create a more competitive and investment friendly environment in which the private sector can flourish.

Government initiated structural and strategic shifts that will take the country beyond its mineral endowments and shape it into a knowledge-based economy. The government has, as a result, put a lot of effort into creating an enabling environment through sound macro-economic policies and an increased budgetary provision for sectors that are targeted at diversifying the economy as well as creation of sector capacity through skills development, access to land and capital, and low tax rates and exchange control liberalisation.

Permamant Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology (MIST), Dikagiso Mokotedi is adamant that government has laid a solid foundation to enhance technologies and reap benefits of the transformative potential of the digital revolution.  

Mokotedi says, “In creating an enabling environment, the Government of Botswana developed the first Science and Technology Policy in 1998 which was followed by the establishment of the Ministry of Communications Science and Technology in 2003, with the mandate to establish strategies for harnessing Science Technology and Innovation for economic development.”

The Permanent Secretary goes on to say that, “A strategic blueprint, the Botswana National Research Science and Technology plan (BNRST) document that lays down the foundations for an implementation strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation was completed in 2005. This identified key areas to focus research and innovation aligned to the then existing research and development institutes.”

He says under the current National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy of 2012, and its implementation plan, there is a specific provision for setting up appropriate administrative structures, research and development funding instruments and strategic projects that lay down a strong future foundation in Science, Technology and Innovation through a number of key interventions.

Government’s initiative to establish new institutions such as Botswana Innovation Hub, Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) and research institutes like Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI), the University of Botswana’s new teaching hospital all bear testimony of governments strategic initiatives to promote research, technology transfer and innovation with commercial emphasis and relevance to Botswana.

Mokotedi says commercialisation of Research and Innovation is essential for economic growth. He however says it also requires funding, “Researchers burn money to generate knowledge and Business burn knowledge to generate money”. Therefore, with this synopsis of the policy setting for Science, Technology and Innovation, the government is facilitating creation of synergies among government, academia, private sector, industry and businesses through the Botswana Innovation Hub. Government is facilitating for policies that support commercialisation of research and innovation and Botswana Innovation Hub, which is set up to contribute to the country’s development and competitiveness, offers a unique platform through which the low hanging fruits of the digital revolution can be harvested to allow citizens to enjoy the bountiful harvest of digital dividends.

Intellectual Property is the Currency of Innovation and Creative Works

Intellectual Property (IP) is defined as a creation of the mind, an intangible asset that accords creators, authors, artists and inventors an incentive to invent. Some IP is protected by law, to give statutory expression to the moral and economic rights of creators in their creations. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) states that, “By striking the right balance between the interests of innovators and the wider public interest, the IP system aims to foster an environment in which creativity and innovation can flourish.”

An expert in business development and innovative products and services commercialisation, Ambrose Makgonatsotlhe states that a study conducted by the Southern African Innovation Support Programme (SAiS) concluded that, “Intellectual Property is critical in unlocking value from an inventive and innovative product, service or process. In knowledge intensive economies IP provides the platform for competitive and comparative advantage. It also focuses the innovator to operate entrepreneurially especially in the early stages of the product and business life cycles.”

Makgonatsotlhe observes that for Botswana to effectively leverage intellectual property assets, there is need for integration and convergence of components that lie within the IP value chain such as policy, special purpose instruments, funding, IP policing etc. He said, “It has been observed that IP rights in Botswana lacks coherence and remains largely fragmented with gaps in the overall IP support services.”    

To close these gaps, the government of Botswana established the Register of Companies and Intellectual Property (ROCIP) and the Companies and Intellectual Property Authority which provide a structural and strategic framework to promote and enable the full protection of the rights of investors and right-holders. As a key player in the innovation and creative works space, Botswana Innovation Hub in partnership with the Southern Africa Innovation Support Programme and the University of Botswana established the National Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Office.

The office is staffed with a Technology Transfer Officer (TTO) who is responsible for the identification and commercialisation of intellectual property arising from research, innovations, indigenous knowledge and technology developments.

The incumbent officer, Samuel Gaborone says, “The role of the TTO entails giving advice on commercial issues in contracts, identifying and protecting intellectual property and taking a leadership role in commercialising the IP through licensing and/or the creation of start-up companies.” 

Located within the Botswana Innovation Hub’s flagship technology entrepreneurship development programme, First Steps Venture Centre (FSVC) currently resident at River Walk Mall in Gaborone, the National Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Office provides local entrepreneurs and innovators with the required tools to develop, protect and monetize their innovations.

Gaborone says the TTO offers specialized expertise services to facilitate the technology transfer and intellectual property which contribute towards generating knowledge-based job opportunities for the country. He said the office operates on a three pronged approach with a focus on IP Awareness and Capacity Building, IP Registration and Management, and IP commercialisation strategies.

Presently, the TTO is engaged in an awareness and capacity building drive and recently hosted the Intellectual Property Training Seminar in partnership with Chilume and Associates law firm. “The seminar which was attended by 20 FSVC clients focused on IP law, interrogation of IP presence in inventions and ideas, drafting, filling and management of IP portfolios for clients,” said Gaborone.  

Going forward, Gaborone said they will run awareness and capacity building campaigns focused on patents, copyright and trademarks, which enable people to earn recognition or financial benefit from what they invent or create. He said, “IP advisory services that help our clients leverage social and economic benefit for their inventions and creative works range from literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce.”

Gaborone states that IP advisory services are an important component of a well-functioning Science, Technology and Innovation ecosystem that Botswana Innovation Hub is currently building.

Botswana Launches The Botswana Academy of Sciences

As the world commemorated the World Science Day for Peace and Development earlier this week, Botswana used the opportunity to launch the Botswana Academy of Sciences.  The think tank which was launched by the Minister of Infrastructure, Science and Technology, Hon. Nonofo Molefhi at Mmokolodi Nature Reserve on Tuesday 10^th November, 2015 will advise government on science, technology and innovation related matters.

Launching the academy Hon. Molefhi said, “Science issues tend to be complex, trends or developments in science and technology happen at a very fast pace. However, the legislative needs to translate this scientific knowledge into political choices, there is need for dialogue on many scientific fronts - as science can either be a tool or security threat, if not legislated properly.”

The founding chairperson of the academy, Professor Motsoptse Modisi said the establishment of the academy was a significant milestone in the construction and consumption of new ideas that illuminate the world around us. He said the launch of the academy was a celebration of the intellectual and practical activity that encompasses the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.

The guest speaker at the launch was the president of the Academy of Science of South Africa, Professor Daya Reddy who shared his country’s experience in putting together a body of experts to advice government on science, technology and innovation matters. He said the Academy of Science of South Africa was inaugurated in 1996 by the former President Nelson Mandela who was also its patron until he passed on.

“The academy was formed in response to the need for an academy of science congruent with the dawn of democracy in South Africa – activist in its mission of using science for the benefit of society,” he said. He went on to say that evidence-based study project activities form the core of the academy’s function and are a key area of future development. 

The launch of the Botswana Academy of Sciences was the culmination of the commemoration of the World Science Day for Peace and Development. The day is a UNESCO initiative that was established in 2001 to demystify the sometimes complex nature of science, technology and innovation by presenting, “the broader public with an opportunity to demonstrate the relevance of science in their daily lives and a platform to engage them in debates on science related issues.”

The day is celebrated annually on the 10^th of November and this year’s theme was, “Science for a Sustainable Future: Celebrating the UNESCO Science Report,” in recognition of the release of the 2015 edition of the report.  Major activities and academic presentations of the day discouraged the use of science and technology for destruction of life such as the design and manufacture of weapons of war and other dangerous machinery and substances.

UNESCO recognizes that science, technology and innovation is essential for economic development and social progress. However, the awareness in science and technology is very low in developing countries making the importance of technology and innovation for catch up socio-economic growth and competitiveness essential for developing countries.

Speaking on occasion of the commemoration, director in the Ministry of Infrastructure Science and Technology, Tshepo Kebakile said, “The main purpose of the World Science Day for Peace and Development was to emphasise the role science and technology play in helping improve the lives of people.”   She said the aim of the commemoration is to ensure that citizens are kept informed of the development in science, while underscoring the role scientists play in broadening peoples understanding of their world knowledge economy as well as making societies sustainable.

It is widely recognized that access to new and appropriate knowledge and technologies promote steady improvements in living conditions, which can be lifesaving for the most vulnerable populations, and drive productivity gains which ensure rising income. Botswana has set up structural and strategic frameworks that build and support national capacity for research science, technology and innovation. This is demonstrated by the numerous institutions that have been established and the various policies that have been developed to aide sector development.  

In the aftermath of the Global Financial and Economic Crisis of 2008/09, and the declining allure of the country’s chief export mineral, diamonds, Botswana has been under mounting pressure to build innovation capacity that creates a vibrant science, technology and innovation ecosystem in an effort to diversify the economy, create jobs, and move the country towards a knowledge-based economy.

Botswana has set up structural and strategic frameworks that support research science, technology and innovation. Among the game-changing institutions that emerged out of this initiative has been Botswana Innovation Hub, Botswana Institute of Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI) and Botswana International University of Science & Technology (BIUST). These recently established entities add to the already existing University of Botswana (UB) and the soon to be University Botswana Collage of Agriculture (BCA).

To provide leadership in science, technology and innovation, the country had earlier on established a dedicated Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology and in 2004 established the Department of Research Science and Technology (DRST) to provide an enabling policy and legislation environment and coordination of science, technology and innovation activities.

Following on the Botswana National Research Science and Technology Plan of 2005, the country recently re-established the Research, Science and Technology subsector within the High-Level Consultative Committee (HLCC). HLCC comprises policy making officials from government and captains of industry representing the private sector. The council seeks, “To consider and to resolve a wide range of issues which constrain the performance of the economy,” and the restoration of the HLCC’s Research, Science and Technology subsector gives issues related to research, science, technology and innovation the attention they deserve. 

In the reverberation of the Global Financial and Economic Crisis, the country developed the Botswana Revised Research Science, Technology and Innovation Policy of 2011. The policy calls for, “A systemic approach to research science, technology and innovation with clear vision, programmes, incentives, measures, roles, targets and monitoring indicators.”

The policy’s implementation plan advocates for the establishment of mechanisms and structures to coordinate linkages across sectors, set priorities and allocate funding for the policy as well as guidelines for specific programmes that can be adopted.

Cluster Development Director at Botswana Innovation Hub Dr Budzanani Tacheba believes that beyond advising government, the newly established academy of sciences will place impetus in recognizing scientists well beyond their academic acumen through key contributions to society and their own communities using science. “The fellows of the academy shall also collectively help further development of relevant science, technology and innovation policy documents to advise government through advisory bodies. As an advocacy body the fellows of the academy will have a new platform to openly critique science technology and innovation practices outside their work institutions,” he said.

"Sir, we are not done yet!" Tsheko Tells Youth, Sports and Culture Minister.

Emboldened by the resounding success of the launch of Di-Apps Mobile Application Store earlier this week, First Steps Venture Centre (FSVC) programme manager, Tshepo Tsheko made a bold pronouncement to Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon. Thapelo Olopeng, “Sir, we are not done yet! We have several other companies lined up and ready to fulfil your quest to produce young Batswana entrepreneur millionaires during your term of office.”

Tsheko was speaking on the fringes of the launch of the country’s first and only online application store, aptly named, Di-Apps Mobile Application Store. The digital distribution platform is a product of one of FSVC’s clients, Ditec Mobile.

The 100% citizen owned company designs, customizes and ultimately manufacturers mobile phones. Ditec Mobile offers a full range of hi-tech and durable mobiles with a wide appeal to people who appreciate the beauty and broad functionality of mobile phones,” states the company’s founder, Thatayaone Dichaba.

Ditec Mobile enrolled into the Botswana Innovation Hub’s technology entrepreneurship development programme, FSVC in January, 2014. The company was presented as candidate for the Ministers Young Entrepreneur Millionaire project at the launch of its Di-Apps Mobile Application Store at the Capitol Cinema at Game City mall in Gaborone.

The Youth, Sports and Culture Minister has vowed to produce at least five young entrepreneur millionaires during his term of office. Speaking at the launch, the Minister said, “It is high time Batswana showed confidence in young people and know that the big international brands we celebrate are given a push in their countries of origin.”

“Charity begins at home, these big brands are recognized by their economies, so why can’t we do the same for our brands? From today, I am becoming the brand ambassador for Ditec Mobile phones,” declared the Minister.  

Expounding on his pledge to the Minister, Thseko said, “Let’s face it, the odds are heavily stacked against early stage enterprise development. A significant percentage of new businesses fail and according to Bloomberg, nine out of ten startups will fail. This is a hard and bleak truth, but these cold statistics are not intended to discourage entrepreneurs, instead, they should encourage them to work harder and smarter.”

Tsheko explained that FSVC is the Botswana Innovation Hub’s hybrid incubator/accelerator that provides business and technology support services, strategic partnerships, tenancy and market access support to startup ventures.

He said with the caliber of clients they currently have in the programme, they can confidently meet and surpass the target for young entrepreneur millionaires that the Minister has set. He went on to say that it takes an inordinate amount of time, effort and other resources to graduate technology startups, but with the talent, passion and hunger for success that the FSVC clients demonstrate, he was certain they are the premier technology incubator and business accelerator in the region. “Our clients are very enterprising and are looking beyond our borders for markets. In fact most have already secured contracts abroad, and all we are asking for is recognition and support on the home front,” he said.

Tsheko said preparations are at an advanced stage for the launch of another locally based and globally focused startup. “World Queues is a 100% citizen owned company offering an innovative, time saving queue management service. The service allows customers to queue on line, by kiosk at entrances and by sms from their mobile phones,” he said.

The queue management service is already live in Kenya’s Coop Bank and Kenya Revenue Authority as well as the Department of Road Transport and Safety (DRTS) and First National Bank (FNB) in Botswana. “World Queues is another demonstration of the stellar work coming out of globally connected innovation ecosystem created by FSVC. We will be announcing the launch of this company in the next few weeks,” Tsheko said.

World Queues Managing Director, Justice Williams said they have been motivated by the Youth Ministers support and are looking forward to expanding their services to hospitals and clinics, and social services and amenities providers. “Our kiosks are being produced locally with a huge job creation spinoff and the revenue potential to the company and the country is enormous,” he said.

Williams said they are positioning World Queues as a Pan African brand and welcomed the support of the Youth Minister.