Botswana, Huawei hone partnership for digital transformation

by ODIRILE TOTENG

GABORONE – HUAWEI and the Botswana government have hailed a partnership to advance digital transformation through policies that promote information and communications technology (ICT) development, investment in infrastructure and strengthening of digital skills in tertiary institutions.

Officials from both parties solidified the partnership recently in the capital, Gaborone, at the Huawei ICT Awards for the 2025-2026 regional competitions.

More than 300 students in Botswana have benefited from Huawei ICT training programmes since they were incepted in 2015, a development that has culminated in students gaining certifications and practical experience, with the aim to bridge the digital skill gap and supporting national ICT development.

Cecil Masiga, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Innovation, emphasised the importance of strengthening public-private partnerships.

“Collaborations with industry partners provide exposure to evolving technologies, international standards and practical application environments,” the official said.

He said the ICT ministry was committed to strengthening digital skills development within tertiary education, supporting partnerships that align academic training with industry standards, expanding platforms that encourage innovation and applied competence and creating enabling policies that support ICT growth and youth participation.

Huawei, the Chinese-headquartered global technology firm, officially entered the Botswana market in 1998.

Key components of its training schemes in Botswana include the Huawei ICT Academy and Huawei ICT Competition, targeting university students and educators among others.

Li Dalu, Managing Director of Huawei Botswana, speaking at the abovementioned ceremony in Gaborone, welcomed the ICT ministry’s support in the rollout of these initiatives.

Dalu moted technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, cyber security and advanced networking were central to economic growth, institutional efficiency and societal innovation.

– CAJ News