Govt urges private sector to invest in digitization
Investing in digital infrastructure, both soft and hard, has been identified as a fiscal multiplier and trigger of long term return on investment ( ROI), as the country transitions into knowledge economy from the traditional natural resource mainstay. The Minister of Communications, Knowlegde and Technology, Thulaganyo Segokgo has therefore implored the nation to renew and upgrade national ICT infrastructure.
“New accelerators of digital investments are 5G, Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence ( AI), IoT, and Big Data. We look up to private investments on these as government cannot on its own do these,” said Segokgo at the ICT Pitso, adding that the private sector participation in the economy needs to increase. “To this extent, I have directed that starting immediately in this financial year some Government ICT services will be outsourced to the private sector,” said the Minister.
He implored the private sector to demonstrate its readiness to undertake these services efficiently and cost effectively, maintaining high ethical standards requisite to maintaining confidence. The Minister said the confidence should lure sectors that traditionally were averse to the use of digital technologies like agriculture. “To enable digitalisation of all sectors of the economy, it is important we as the communications sector put up the digital infrastructure, ensure we curb cybersecurity threats, breaches, ensure privacy and data sovereignty, these being key challenges that if not addressed will lead to loss of trust and confidence, essential for diffusion of digital services. Therefore we need to reflect on our efforts in this area and develop appropriate resolutions to catapult us as a trusted destination,” said Sekokgo citing that digitalisation inspires economic growth. “This essentially means that all sectors adopt digital technologies,” said Sekokgo, adding that high- income status vision can be achieved through the growth of and the direct contribution of the ICT sector to the GDP increasing to double digits within the next five to seven years.
“This means expanding market penetration into the region, positioning Botswana as a Regional ICT Hub; the country becoming a regional and continental player beyond improving the financial performance of the communications sector nationally.” In addition, Sekokgo said Botswana needs to develop capabilities as a nation to have future- oriented, skilled digital human capital to catalyse and sustain innovation ecosystem.
“It is imperative that Botswana, through these future- oriented, skilled digital human capital, establishes herself as a Regional Talent Hub and thus create opportunities not only in our economy but in the region,” he said.
The ICT Pitso was held under the banner: ‘ Opportunities In The Transition Towards A Knowledge- Based Economy’.