(Ecofin Agency) - The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the digital transformation process in Africa. Since 2020, governments have been stepping up their investments to make sure citizens have access to internet connection, which is a pillar for this transformation. 

The government of Botswana announced on Monday, March 21, its plans to connect a total of 500 villages to the Internet. Called SmartBots, the project will be implemented in phases and will cost the government approximately US$12.7 million.

In the framework of that project, villages with a lower than 5,000 population will be connected through the User-Activated Soft Fork (UASF). For that purpose, the government will provide subsidies to mobile operators. 

As for villages with a population of 5,000 or more, they will be upgraded to 4G and beyond through regulatory interventions by the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA). In its first phase, the project will provide internet access in 61 villages with minimal access to back-haul infrastructure electricity for broadband internet. 

The SmartBots project is in line with the National Broadband Strategy (NBS) launched in 2018 by the Botswana government as part of its digital transformation process. It aims to connect every citizen, business, and community to high-speed, appropriate quality broadband infrastructure at affordable prices. Its implementation began in 2021 to connect 203 villages that year. The project comes against a backdrop of greatly accelerated digital transformation across the African continent since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ultimately, the SmartBots project is expected to enable approximately 1.2 million Botswanans to access broadband internet and digital services through Wi-Fi hotspots available in public places. According to the government, the project will enable citizens to actively participate in the development of the digital economy. It will also provide many employment opportunities and allow the youth to compete globally. 

Isaac K. Kassouwi