Botswana Policy Statement
at the WSIS+10
Honourable Nonofo E. Molefhi
Minister of Transport and Communications
Introduction
• Botswana has a very small population
• As developing nation, we are facing challenges in implementing ICT
initiatives
• There are other competing needs such as provision of water, energy
and housing
• It is very difficult to achieve balance between the competing needs
• Despite this challenges, government has invested a lot money on ICT
infrastructure
• But more effort is required drive the demand for ICT services
Achievements
• Policy Framework
2007 National ICT Policy
2006 Rural Telecommunications Strategy
Establishment of converged communications regulator
2012 e-Government Strategy
Broadband Strategy
• Regulatory Framework
Service Neutral Licensing Framework
Infrastructure Sharing Guidelines
Various Communications Regulations
Achievements
• Deployment of broadband infrastructure
Capacity on undersea cables
National backbone ring
Rural connectivity
• Connectivity to school, libraries, post offices and community access centres
• High uptake of mobile services
• E-Legislation
Electronic Communications and Transactions Act
E-Evidence Act
• Provision of government information on line
Challenges
• As a landlocked country, high cost of accessing undersea cables
• High cost of deploying services due to the big geographical area with
small population
• High cost of internet services
• Low uptake of services especially internet (@ home and business)
• Most of villages are not connected to the power grid
• Low levels of local content
• Low level of public awareness
Ongoing and Planned Activities
• Implementation of Broadband Strategy targeting both supply and demand sides
 Deployment of mobile broadband network
 Deployment of fixed broadband network
 Network security
 Public awareness and campaign
 Digital literacy program
 ICT research, innovation and development
 Local content development
 Internet connectivity and access to public facilities
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Privatisation of the incumbent state owned telecommunications operator
Implementation of e-government, e-health, e-learning programmes
Establishment of Universal Access Fund
E-Legislation: Personal Data Protection, etc
Conclusion
• Botswana has adopted an ecosystem based approach to broadband
• Addressing both the supply and demand side of broadband will lead
to attainment of WSIS Action lines
• Digital inclusion can only be achieved through regional &
international collaboration
• Botswana continues to play a role in fostering this cooperation