Leveraging Connectivity for Economic Empowerment: A Critical Analysis

Leveraging Connectivity for Economic Empowerment: A Critical Analysis

## Unveiling Botswana's Digital Renaissance

In the bustling city of Gaborone, Botswana, a narrative of transformation unfolds, propelled by the omnipresent force of connectivity. Imagine a landscape where the aspirations of budding entrepreneurs transcend geographical boundaries, fueled by the omnipotent engine of high-speed internet. A mere few years ago, this digital utopia seemed a distant dream, reserved for the elite few. However, the winds of change swept across the nation with the advent of the National Broadband Strategy in 2019, heralding a new era of digital accessibility and empowerment.

## Navigating Turbulent Waters: The Imperative of Reliable Connectivity

In an era fraught with digital disruptions, the significance of robust connectivity cannot be overstated. A poignant example echoes through the annals of history, as the fateful day of March 14, 2024, bore witness to the simultaneous outage of four major undersea telecommunication cables. Amidst this turmoil, Liquid Intelligent Technologies emerged as a stalwart guardian, with its proactive investment in a resilient network ensuring uninterrupted service for businesses and citizens alike.

## The Gaborone Metro Ring: A Beacon of Technological Innovation

At the nucleus of Botswana's digital renaissance stands the Gaborone Metro Ring, a testament to the transformative power of connectivity. Powered by Liquid Botswana, this telecommunications marvel has metamorphosed the capital city into a crucible of innovation and entrepreneurship. From fledgling startups to seasoned enterprises, all bask in the radiance of high-speed internet, fostering economic growth, job creation, and enticing investment opportunities.

## Catalyzing Economic Growth and Community Development

Connectivity serves as the lifeblood of Botswana's metamorphosis, nurturing economic prosperity and communal advancement. The Gaborone Metro Ring, spanning pivotal business hubs and densely populated areas, acts as a conduit for innovation and inclusivity. With Gaborone and Lobatse as its epicenters, this infrastructure boon catalyzes the positive transformation and expansion of Botswana's economy, empowering individuals and businesses alike.

## Empowering the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

Enhanced connectivity not only fuels economic growth but also nurtures a fertile ecosystem for entrepreneurship and job creation. Leveraging advanced data services, businesses, especially startups and SMEs, can streamline operations, penetrate new markets, and fuel global competitiveness. Reduced tariffs and exclusive incentives within the metro fiber zone further incentivize innovation, propelling Botswana's entrepreneurial spirit to new heights.

## Bridging the Digital Divide: A Pathway to Inclusive Growth

In a nation boasting 1.95 million internet users, connectivity extends its benevolent embrace beyond urban enclaves, permeating communities across Botswana. Access to information and services empowers individuals, fortifies communities, and ignites social progress. Moreover, connectivity serves as a linchpin in bridging the digital chasm, ensuring that no citizen is left behind in Botswana's quest for digital inclusivity.

## Embracing a Future Defined by Connectivity

As Botswana embarks on its journey of digital metamorphosis, the pivotal role of connectivity looms large on the horizon. It transcends mere connectivity; it is a catalyst for empowerment, economic growth, and societal inclusivity. As the nation navigates the complexities of the digital landscape, the steadfast commitment to fostering a digitally inclusive society will serve as the lodestar guiding Botswana towards a future defined by prosperity and opportunity.

## The Transformative Power of Connectivity

In the grand tapestry of Botswana's digital narrative, connectivity emerges as the protagonist, weaving together the threads of innovation, empowerment, and inclusivity. From the corridors of entrepreneurship to the corridors of power, the transformative power of connectivity reshapes the contours of Botswana's socio-economic landscape, paving the way for a future illuminated by the promise of progress.

## Conclusion

As Botswana charts its course towards a digital future, the mantle of connectivity emerges as its guiding light, illuminating the path towards prosperity and inclusivity. In the crucible of innovation and entrepreneurship, the seeds of progress are sown, nurtured by the fertile soil of reliable and resilient connectivity. As the nation embarks on this transformative journey, let us embrace the transformative power of connectivity and usher in an era defined by prosperity, opportunity, and digital empowerment.

## 🌐 Sources

1. weekendpost.co.bw - MMG Acquires Khoemacau in a Transaction Valued at P23bn, https://www.weekendpost.co.bw/39840/business/mmg-acquires-khoemacau-in-a-transaction-valued-at-p23bn-2/

BoB allays fears of looming liquidity crunch

• For the first time in 20 months the banking system was recently short, a development analysts feared marked the return of the 2014 liquidity crunch that forced the central bank to intervene and release P2.3 billion into the system to boost liquidity.

Director of  financial markets at the central bank, Matthew Wright told BusinessWeek that the reduced liquidity, which was first noticed at the end of November last year, was a temporary occurrence at this time of the year as foreign companies repatriate profits while government does not sell any diamonds in December.

“Over the festive season and into early January we noticed some signs of tight liquidity but we believe it’s mostly due to seasonal factors. There were net foreign exchange outflows as companies repatriated dividends whilst the inflows are constrained due to low diamond sales in December and January. There was also limited government spending over that period with the construction industry on shut down. We see the liquidity situation stabilising very soon,” he said.

Liquidity in the banking system reduced to about P7 billion in early February from the P10-P12 billion the market was accustomed to.

“If you consider that Bank of Botswana Certificates (BoBCs) holdings by banks are around P7 billion, it means the excess liquidity would also have shrunk as BoBCs would be security pledges with the central bank and part of Liquid asset Requirement (LAR) holdings,” said a market analyst who declined to be named.

 Although delayed government payments as well as repatriation of dividends have been blamed for the tight liquidity, there is also suspicion that some investors are taking out their funds from Botswana due to the low interest rates currently prevailing.

Thanks to a benign inflation, interest rates are currently at record low levels here resulting in a significant interest rates differential between Botswana and South Africa. However, Wright dismissed the possibility of capital flight saying their study of the profiles of foreign exchange purchasers does not suggest any risk of capital flight as the bulk of buyers are just importers of goods and services.

Following the last rate cut by the BoB in August last year, some banks have been dropping their

deposit rates to very low levels, which could have forced depositors to take their funds elsewhere.

“There is some level of tightness although it hasn’t reached the levels of two years ago. Banks have been dropping their rates to very low levels since the last rate cut by the central bank. Most banks were paying close to zero percent on call accounts and a maximum 2.5% on three-months deposits,” said another banking executive, who declined to be named for professional reasons.  According to Econsult, the declining returns on the Botswana Stock Exchange where the market fell 11% in 2016, coupled with perceptions of a deteriorating business environment and economic growth prospects, may also be driving capital outflows.  “There are also indications that government is delaying or deferring payment due to firms for the procurement of goods and services. This means less money deposited in the banking system, and greater use of loans and overdrafts, which further reduces liquidity. While there are no major liquidity related concerns in the banking system yet, it will be necessary to monitor developments closely,” reads a report from Econsult.

The tightening of liquidity also comes at a time when credit growth has decreased despite an accommodative monetary policy stance.

According to the central bank, annual growth in commercial bank credit decreased from 7.1% in December 2015 to 6.2% in December 2016, against a background of subdued economic activity and restrained growth in personal incomes.

The slowdown in annual credit expansion was mostly associated with the decrease in growth in lending to households from 12.8% in December 2015 to 7.6% in December 2016, largely reflecting the effect of restrained growth in personal incomes.

“The lower rate of increase in lending to households was mostly due to a slowdown in the yearly rate of expansion in unsecured loans to this sector from 15.5% to 8.3% in the same period,” said governor, Moses Pelaelo.

On the other hand, the annual growth in mortgage lending to households also slowed from 7.2% to 6.3% in the same period.

For businesses, year-on-year growth in lending accelerated from a contraction of 0.3% in December 2015 to growth of 4.2% in December 2016.

Oversupply OF Office Space

“There is already evidence of declining base rentals and hardening investment yields due to an oversupply of office space and shopping centres around the city,” the statement added.

Turnstar Holdings which also has business interest in Tanzania said its core business is to invest in real estate property and generate rental income.

The company also said it will also embark imminent expansion projects especially Game City in Botswana and Mlimani City properties in Tanzania.

“Game City will be expanded to include additional retail space including a fashion avenue, restaurant area including a food court, entertainment area and a parkade. Mlimani City will be expanded to include additional retail and commercial space including basement parking, additions to the Conference Centre and a Botanical Garden,” said the company’s report.

BNF is not bullying us- BMD

“We are in a very good marriage with BNF and the BPP, and just like a marriage between religious couples,there can be differences at times, but we will continue to dialogue with our partners,” he said.UDC spokesperson Moeti Mohwasa said they never received any reports of bullying from BMD members. He said he just heard allegations and stated that nobody could be campaigning as primary elections are yet to be held.He said even if people can campaign in constituencies meant for other Umbrella partners, at the end of the day all their votes will go to the UDC.Media reports had indicated that BMD members at the congress com-plained that some BNF hopefuls are campaigning in constituencies reserved for the BMD.

Botswana Anglicans are hospice service trailblazers

Botswana Anglicans are hospice service trailblazers
“We are the first hospice to operate in Botswana,” explained Ncube. “We have been a leader in the provision of palliative care throughout the years and have been able to rehabilitate our clients, most of whom have been able to go back to their families and live normal lives.”

Music compiler explains issues of artists, songs and politics

Mmegi Online
"We don't necessarily accept music that appeals to the masses, but sounding music maters most," said Drew. The other thing is the criteria of the music brought; whether it falls within that target audience.
For instance they are an urban youthful broadcaster so they play mostly music that appeals to the younag lads.But Drew says they don't discriminate the music that comes to their station; whether it has elements of politics or not. His comes after recently Hip Hop artist Tshepiso 'Kast' Molapisi cried foul that one programmes manager from a certain radio station refused to play his controversial 'O na le mo-BDP' because it was termed 'political'. However, Kast explained the song as simply meaning 'Boogie Down People'.

Tsodilo Hills, the jewel of Botswana's cultural heritage

LIFE - Globaltimes.cn
The white rock art of botswana's first people

Botswana Diamond Center Construction Complete

Diamond Technology Park (DTP) chief executive officer Rutang Moses told Mmegi earlier in the week that an occupational certificate for the building had been issued on August 1, marking a milestone in Botswana's journey to become a centre of global diamond trade.

COSBOTS, irate artists on a collision course?

The COSBOTS constitution states that members of the board shall hold their respective offices concurrently for three years. COSBOTS board, which is chaired by Solomon Monyame, was appointed on May 22, 2008 for a three-year term. The term expired in 2011 and yet up to today there has never been any known meeting called to re-appoint or re-elect any of the sitting board members. This has incensed some artists, musicians and unsuccessful bidders.

Furthermore, investigations have uncovered the fact that according to the COSBOTS constitution, of the eight directors, one should be a representative of the government department concerned. Contrary to this proviso, at COSBOTS three board members are government employees. Government officers who sit on the board possess no voting powers, according to the constitution, so of the five members who sat on the board that issued the Monitoring Services Tender, Lilian Tlhanke had no voting powers. Which leaves only four members to cast votes to award the winning company the tender. However, the constitution underlines that "no business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum of five (5) directors are present".   Interviewed artists, who preferred anonymity, expressed their ire and disappointment at the society, saying that they have never been called to any meeting ever since they registered with the society last year. They wondered if COSBOTS is there to articulate their interests or to cater for some individuals with a vested interest.

The interviewees emphasised that they have never given COSBOTS any mandate to issue the Monitoring Services Tender and engage in other business for them. The complainants, most of whom are members of the Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU), stated that to their knowledge the union as such has never been involved in any of the discussions pertaining to the tender. "We feel betrayed by the same people who are supposed to be serving us," one said.

Botswana and SA sign energy memorandum

Fin24: The state visit is expected to focus on key areas such as trade and investment, energy, transport, science and technology, environment and security issues," presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj said in a statement.

"It will also emphasise the need to invest in infrastructure development, especially for the two countries to work together on large-scale projects such as cross-border infrastructure, industrial and energy developments."

Maharaj said strong economic ties already existed between the two countries and that South Africa remained Botswana's major trading partner.

Botswana land up for auction

The Monitor :: The new policy says where land is available on public tender, consideration will be made for the reservation of a quota for people living with disabilities. It also says there will be special dispensation in considering applications for land for people with disabilities.The new policy acknowledges that people aged under 21 find it difficult to access land because of the age requirement in land acquisition; the policy says special arrangements will be made to enable allocation of land to youth.On the Remote Area Dwellers, the policy realises that some Batswana communities have, from time immemorial, believed in communal use or collective use and ownership of land.Overtime, this has proven to be unsustainable due to economic changes. The absence of exclusive rights to land for these communities does not improve their economic well being and does not accord them secure land rights. The policy says where appropriate, formal settlements will be established for these groups and titles granted to those allocated land.

Women's TT forum underway

"I urge women to come and take part in this forum and umpiring course because it does not benefit them only. It is also beneficial to the table tennis mother body," Motswagole said. Debswana sponsors the event.  Meanwhile, the association is still hopeful that other sponsors will come on board this week.

Botswana wildlife park hit hard by drought

Drought impacts have forced an wildlife park in Botswana to put out a begging bowl under the banner "Help Save the Animals" to save animals in the game sanctuary park.

The Mokolodi Nature Reserve, 10 km south of the capital city Gaborone, is hit hard by the long drought.

"At present there is very little vegetation for the many browsers and grazers, and those of us who live on the reserve now have desperate animals particularly the Kudu calling at our backdoor for food," said Peter Neumann, the project coordinator of the park.

"Some of the animals are in such bad condition that they are unable to continue living in such harsh conditions. These animals cannot be expected to survive if nothing is done to alleviate their plight," he added.

According to Neumann, proceeds from the campaign will buy lucerne costing 100 pula (about 13 U.S. dollars) per bale to save the wildlife until the rains arrive and set in.

Botswana sends expatriates packing

Through its secretary, Tumo Moaneng, the Association Business Council of Botswana (ABCB) has said that they are in the dark over the criteria government is using to issue work and resident permits. "We are in the dark. We don't know the criteria used to allow foreigners to be permitted to work or invest in this country," Moaneng told Mmegi this week. The government has tightened the process of issuing work and residence permits after the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs introduced a Point Based System (PBS) earlier this year. The ministry says the PBS is a flexible, comprehensive and objective way of assessing the suitability of an immigrant to be employed or to invest in a country. It works by awarding points for the attributes considered desirable in immigrants who want to live and invest or work in a country. But ABCB is up in arms after the PBS resulted in a high rate of rejection of applications. Moaneng has said that a foreigner has to score more than 75% in order to be given a permit. Recently, she claimed that five of her clients were denied permits because the ministry said they scored below the cut off point. Some of her clients were told they did not meet the clearance criteria. "Even those who have been here for decades are being rejected when they apply for renewal. This is likely to turn away investors from Botswana," she lamented.

Mali recalls Momo Sissoko

Mali coach Patrice Carteron on Monday published his list of players to face Botswana in the final qualifying round of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, including former Liverpool defensive midfielder Momo Sissoko, to the surprise of many pundits in Bamako.

Bishop of Botswana set for vicar role at Barking church

“Little did we know we would both become bishops: me in England, Trevor in Botswana. Now we will be working together in Essex and East London. Barking is getting a man of rare wisdom, good humour and experience. He will light up the church in Barking.”

Is internship a source of cheap labour?

Currently, 2,855 interns have been enrolled and attached to different government departments and in the private sector, while 1,234 are recorded to have completed and exited the 24-month programme. During the last parliamentary sitting Francistown South Member of Parliament (MP) Wynter Mmolotsi had asked whether government's mandate to reduce its employees through the early exit scheme would not affect those currently on internship in government departments.

"Won't the government's move to reduce its employees by five percent affect interns, and is government ready to absorb student interns, when it has been said that there is no employment and government departments are over staffed," Mmolotsi asked the minister.

Batshu dismissed the query, saying the reduction would not affect interns, adding that they were trying to engage the private sector to increase its intake of interns. The minister said the programme did not re-admit those who had exited it since there was a pending list of 5,094 applicants waiting to be admitted.

Systems' coach stays put despite uncertainity

Kaeleo said that the team owner, Gabriel Nkgetse has made it clear that he does not want people to leave the team, although he would not bind anyone. "Security Systems will continue to exist and play football, whether they are in the constituency league or the Sunday social games. But I have to be honest, my passion for competitive football has waned after what happened to us and maybe it will be good if I get involved just for fun instead of ambition," the clearly dejected Kaleo said.

Kaleo has also denied reports that the club was negotiating with First Division South side Young Strikers to purchase its franchise."Those are just rumours and who ever said this was not speaking on behalf of the team (Systems).

Tsolamosese residents rail at sub-land board

The angry residents said that even though they have lived in the area for years, they are puzzled that even after a presidential amnesty, the land officials keep on disappointing them. "Even though we do not like being called squatters, we have accepted the presidential amnesty and have agreed to pay the charges. We do not know why Mogoditshane Sub-Land Board neglects us.

We know our charges but whenever we want to pay our fines, we are told that we cannot pay because our names cannot be found in their computers," said Philimon Dipholo. The residents said the officials favour those with deep pockets and generally they mistreat customers.

"We keep on going to Mogoditshane Sub-Land Board seeking help but your employees are incompetent and do not respect us. I feel that this is because they call us squatters," one of the residents shouted. "We are also upset that everyday, our yards' corners are shifted.

BOTA - Training Fund under-utilised

"Most companies send employees to train outside, especially in South Africa where workshops and seminars are usually not accredited," Maikaelelo said. "We encourage training to be done here unless in instances where there are no locals who can do that,"  Besides, he noted, BOTA is experiencing an influx of training providers in Botswana, which Maikaelelo described as a double-edged sword because some are fly-by-night.