BDIH hosts innovation day
The Botswana Digital & Innovation Hub (BDIH) recently hosted the fifth instalment of Innovation Botswana Day, an annual celebration of Botswana’s innovative prowess. This year’s event, held under the resounding theme, “Solve. Evolve,”
The event welcomed innovators, entrepreneurs, technology enthusiasts, policy makers, the student community, and converging to champion collaboration and progress in the fields of science, technology, and entrepreneurship.
One of the highlights of this year’s event was the grand exhibition, featuring more than 100 exhibitors who showcased a diverse range of innovative products and services. It provided a dynamic platform for innovators to connect, share ideas, and introduce their creations to the public. Panel discussions and guest talks were held throughout the day, led by captains of industry and policymakers, fostering insightful dialogues and forward-thinking conversations.
Notably, Innovation Botswana Day 2023 featured the Mascom Innovators Pitch Challenge, a remarkable opportunity for visionaries to present their businesses and vie for substantial cash prizes. The challenge saw 10 talented finalists competing for the top spot. The top 3 winners of the challenge were: Ked Liphi, who secured first place and was awarded P 50,000.00, Retrospace, second-place position who received P 30,000.00 and Double X Group, placed third and was granted P 20,000.00
BDIH Board Member, Thabo Molefe, underlined the event’s goals, saying, “Our objective is to create dialogue that confronts pressing questions, advocates for change, and ignites the evolution
of our nation within the realms of innovation and entrepreneurship. We also seek to celebrate and showcase national innovations.”
The event’s keynote address was delivered by the Minister of Communications, Knowledge & Technology, Thulagano Segokgo, who highlighted the critical role of innovation in Botswana’s development journey. He acknowledged the contributions of the Botswana Digital and Innovation Hub in driving innovation and digital transformation.
Segokgo remarked, “We must acknowledge the efforts of the Botswana Digital and Innovation Hub. While in the process of establishing and operationalising the SmartBots Lab, the team, in partnership with Government Online, has already commenced a public sector digitization exercise with 32 hackathons having been completed. With each hackathon, Batswana youth and established companies are given the opportunity to be solution providers towards an efficient and digitally transformed public sector.” Closing the event on a high note, BDIH’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Diane Mongudi, emphasised the importance of the Botswana Innovation Fund, administered by BDIH, in supporting and nurturing innovative projects. He expressed hope that institutional investors, venture capitalists, and financial institutions could provide additional funding to these projects, enabling them to reach production and realise their commercial value. Mongudi added, “BDIH remains committed to Botswana’s SmartBots strategy and aims to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) to move the country toward a Knowledge-Based Economy (KBE), leaving no one behind. Our ultimate goal is to develop homegrown solutions that are sold through newly established companies incubated at BDIH, first in Africa and then globally. So, ladies and gentlemen, the journey continues.”
The success of Innovation Botswana Day 2023 was made possible through collaboration within the national innovation ecosystem. BDIH would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the sponsors and partners of the event, including The Botswana Innovation Fund, the Ministry of Communications, Knowledge & Technology, UNICEF, BIUST, BUAN, BITRI, NARDI, LEA, Mascom, FNB Foundation, Abaricom, Leverage Point, BTC, and Yarona FM.