INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

Innovations of the World

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

This authoritative collection of the thought leaders, innovators, and innovation enablers that are changing Botswana and the world is a must read! Together with an e-book, online features, and the innovative AR-enabled book itself, INNOVATE™ Botswana showcases the amazing people and organizations who all have something in common: the passion and courage to innovate.

Innovation knows no boundaries, transcending geographical limitations to spark transformative change across the globe. Nestled in the heart of southern Africa, the vibrant nation of Botswana has emerged as a shining example of innovation, harnessing its unique resources and resilient spirit to drive progress and shape a prosperous future. Through visionary leadership, strategic planning, and a deep commitment to sustainable development, Botswana has crafted an inspiring narrative of innovation that captivates the world’s attention.

Botswana’s innovative journey has been intricately linked to its rich natural resources, most notably diamonds. Recognizing the need to leverage this precious asset responsibly and ethically, the country established the Diamond Trading Company (DTC) in 1982. By implementing rigorous standards and cutting-edge technology, Botswana revolutionized the diamond industry, ensuring transparency, fair trade, and maximum benefit for its citizens. This foresight not only boosted the nation’s economy but also inspired confidence and trust among global investors.

Botswana has embraced the transformative power of technology to foster innovation across various sectors. The country’s commitment to digital advancement is evident in initiatives such as the Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH). Founded in 2008, the BIH serves as a catalyst for research, development, and innovation, bringing together entrepreneurs, scientists, and industry leaders to collaborate and create groundbreaking solutions. This hub has nurtured a vibrant startup ecosystem and encouraged the growth of tech-driven enterprises, positioning Botswana as a regional hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Botswana’s innovative mindset extends beyond economic prosperity to encompass sustainable development and environmental stewardship. The country recognizes the urgency of addressing climate change and has implemented ambitious initiatives to combat its effects. From investing in renewable energy sources like solar and wind power to promoting sustainable agriculture and wildlife conservation, Botswana is taking proactive steps to create a greener, more resilient future. These sustainability efforts not only protect the nation’s natural heritage but also foster a harmonious balance between economic growth and environmental preservation.

Botswana’s remarkable journey of innovation showcases the power of visionary leadership, resourceful thinking, and a commitment to sustainable development. Through harnessing its natural resources responsibly, embracing technology and digital advancements, and prioritizing sustainability, Botswana has emerged as a beacon of progress on the African continent. As the nation continues to pioneer innovative solutions and foster a culture of creativity and entrepreneurship, it stands poised to shape a brighter and more prosperous future for its people and inspire others around the world to embark on their own transformative journeys of innovation.

Featured Thought Leaders

Featured Thought Leaders

Featured Innovators

Featured Innovators

ACCLAIM EXPRESS

ACCLAIM EXPRESS- IS A TECH START-UP THAT IS FOCUSING ON REVOLUTIONIZING AND TRANSFORMING THE TECH INDUSTRY WITH ITS VIRTUAL MARKETPLACE - ACCLAIM

IS A TECH START-UP THAT IS FOCUSING ON REVOLUTIONIZING AND TRANSFORMING THE TECH INDUSTRY WITH ITS VIRTUAL MARKETPLACE - ACCLAIM

Acclaim will serve as a Virtual Business Environment (VBE) for all small businesses globally. The idea is to take small businesses to the internet and be able to create virtual offices, stalls, and markets which are manageable. This innovation was inspired by the digital transformation of the economy and the...

LETSHEGO HOLDINGS

BOTSWANA-BORN LETSHEGO ADOPTS INNOVATION ACROSS FUNCTIONS TO ACHIEVE FUTURE-FIT VISION FOR PAN-AFRICAN OPERATION

Since first opening its doors in Gaborone 24 years ago, inclusive finance leader, Letshego Holdings Limited, has extended its reach into 11 sub Saharan markets through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. The Group went public with its listing on the Botswana Stock Exchange in 2002. As one of Botswana’s few...

PROJECT 124

PROJECT 124-BUILDING THE ECONOMY

BUILDING THE ECONOMY, ONE BUSINESS AT A TIME

Project124 is an innovation enabler designed to revolutionize youth entrepreneurship and facilitate effective creation of sustainable jobs for young people around the country, brought to you by Launchit International in partnership with Hollard Life Botswana.   Established in 2016, Project124 stands to be the leading private and citizen owned youth...

V.I FITNESS

V.I FITNESS: YOUR HEALTH PARTNER

YOUR HEALTH PARTNER

V.I FITNESS IS A HOLISTIC FITNESS COMPANY FOUNDED BY COUSINS COLO TLHONG & LEBOGANG MOIPOAI, AS TEENS THEY BOTH HAD A STRONG DRIVE TO STAY ACTIVE  CHALLENGE THEIR PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS ALBEIT IN VERY DIFFERENT WAYS. Lebogang was a multi-sport athlete who would try any and every sport; basketball, football, rugby...

MAUNGO CRAFT

MAUNGO CRAFT - RE-INTEGRATING ORPHAN CROPS BACK INTO THE FOOD SYSTEM

RE-INTEGRATING ORPHAN CROPS BACK INTO THE FOOD SYSTEM, ONE FLAVOR AT A TIME

Morula also known as Marula is one such Orphan Crop. We are a food manufacturer that has formed symbiotic relationships with Morula oil companies and local farmers. We upcycle the fruit pulp that is typically underutilized, the processors press the seed to get seed oil and then they sell the...

NINETEEN 21

NINETEEN 21-UNORTHODOX THINKING

UNORTHODOX THINKING

Established in 2019, Nineteen21 is an innovative subscription business that presents savings and rewards solutions across a number of tiers. The company initially sought out to find a solution for college and varsity students to save money and maximise on the value of their limited monthly allowances. The company built...

BUSINESS RITES INVESTMENTS (BSSR)

BEGAN OPERATION IN SEPTEMBER 2020 AND HAS BEEN FOCUSING EXCLUSIVELY ON HIGH QUALITY AND COSTEFFECTIVE BIG DATA SOLUTIONS, SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SERVICES

We are advancing at a tremendous pace and with the involvement of skilled and experienced people working in the organization. BSSR is currently doing business with local SMEs and is actively taking part in hackathons and competitions, developing innovative solutions, and becoming key players in the country’s digital transformation. The...

NUBIAN SEED (PTY) LTD

NUBIAN SEED (PTY) LTD BEAUTY ROOTED IN NATURE AND INDIGENOUSLY INSPIRED BY AFRICA

BEAUTY ROOTED IN NATURE AND INDIGENOUSLY INSPIRED BY AFRICA

Established in 2016, Nubian Seed (PTY) Ltd is a green beauty manufacturer of natural and organic personal care products, made using raw plant based ingredients which are indigenous to the African continent. The Nubian Seed product range is a reflection of Africa’s bio diversity, as well as global growing interest...

THE GIFT PLACE

THE TRUE VALUE OF A GIFT IS THE SENTIMENT BEHIND THE GIFTING

NOTE FROM FOUNDER A few years ago, I realized how strenuous it is for some to come up with or present a thoughtful gift for any occasion. The idea of The Gift Place grew from my passion to create a gift by simply sourcing various items from different outlets to...

HOLLARD

HOLLARD- A BUSINESS WITH A HEAD AND A HEART

A BUSINESS WITH A HEAD AND A HEART

Hollard has had purpose at its core from its inception as a family business 41 years ago. The Enthoven family had a vision to build a company with a head and a heart – one that would be as conscious of its impact on society as it was about its...

BRASTORNE ENTERPRISES

BRASTORNE ENTERPRISES - SELECTED AS A WINNER FOR THE MIT SOLVE 2021 INITIATIVE.

SELECTED AS A WINNER FOR THE MIT SOLVE 2021 INITIATIVE.

CONNECTING THE UNCONNECTED. Brastorne Enterprises has been selected as a winning solver team for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Solve 2021 Initiative. Solve is an initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States of America with a mission to solve world challenges. Through open innovation...

ECOHUB (PTY) LTD

ECOHUB (PTY) LTD- “ONE MAN’S WASTE

“ONE MAN’S WASTE, ANOTHER MAN’S SUSTAINABLE ECO BUILDING”

July 2017 I left my 9-5 job of being a full time Lecturer, and founded Ecohub (Pty) Ltd, a startup that innovatively uses plastic waste combined with other additives to produce affordable, architect designed flat pack ecobricks to build ecohouses. As the only Founder, I took a risk and sold...

DOCTORS E-CONSULT

TAKING DIGITAL HEALTH IN BOTSWANA UP A NOTCH!!!

It is without a doubt that the Coronavirus has hampered many businesses, but like they say, “every problem contains in it the seeds of a solution.” From all across the world, solutions have been created to mitigate the effects of the virus, and here in Botswana, the lockdown period presented...

THE BOTSWANA INVESTMENT AND TRADE CENTRE (BITC)

ESTABLISHED BY AN ACT OF PARLIAMENT IN 2012 AS AN INTEGRATED INVESTMENT AND TRADE PROMOTION AUTHORITY (ITPA) WITH A MANDATE ENCOMPASSING INVESTMENT

Through its critical role within Botswana’s economy, BITC also encourages and nourishes domestic investment and expansions, promotes locally manufactured goods to regional and international markets, contributes towards improvement of the investment climate through policy advocacy, increases citizen participation in the economy and seeks to create sustainable job opportunities. BITC seeks...

SENTIMENTAL VALUE ARTS AND CRAFTS

SENTIMENTAL VALUE ARTS AND CRAFTS- “IF IT’S DEAR TO YOU ITS DEAR TO US TOO.”

“IF IT’S DEAR TO YOU ITS DEAR TO US TOO.”

All of us have that something that we hold on dearly to. For some people it’s a family heirloom, handwritten post letters and to others a broken kettle they keep saying they will fix and never get around to doing it. I get it all. At Sentimental Value we allow...

BOTSWANA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (BIUST)

EMBRACING BOTSWANA’S TRANSFORMATION TO KNOWLEDGE BASED ECONOMY

The Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) is a research-intensive University and the only specialised University in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM). It aims to increase: The mission of BIUST is to produce world-class research and innovation in science, engineering and technology contributing to industry growth and...

WHITE LABEL FRAGRANCES

WHITE LABEL FRAGRANCES-DISCOVER & OWN YOUR TRUE SCENT

DISCOVER & OWN YOUR TRUE SCENT

White Label Fragrances is a 100% Botswana citizen-owned company. We are an African luxury Niche-Fragrance brand that curates and blends bespoke fragrances, with specially selected raw materials to suit various tastes. We strive to consistently create fragrances and fragranced products that are elegant, luxurious and timeless. All White Label fragrances...

VUNANI FUND MANAGERS

HOW VUNANI HAS HARNESSED INNOVATION TO STAY AHEAD OF THE CURVE

We are a proudly Pan-African financial and diversified investment management company, active in nine African countries. We are fully committed to our promise of nurturing an integrated range of innovative products and services, in order to deliver positive, consistent return for our clients. This is premised on our value proposition...

FIRST NATIONAL BANK BOTSWANA

INNOVATES TOWARDS GREATER FINANCIAL INCLUSION

First National Bank Botswana (FNBB) has established itself as the country’s leading driver of innovation and investing in financial inclusion to help more Batswana realise their aspirations beyond simple access to transactional banking services. FNBB is Botswana’s largest commercial bank by balance sheet, footprint and customer volumes. Over the years,...

WARONA LAW OFFICE

WARONA LAW OFFICE - MOLAO WARONA ROTLHE

MOLAO WARONA ROTLHE

What’s in a name?In this case – everything! Warona is a Setswana pronoun, which translates to “ours” in English. The fact of the matter is the law is “ours” – all of us, made by us to govern and protect us. It also happens to be the middle name of...

FIRST-AID COUNSELLING

FIRST-AID COUNSELLING-A DIGITAL PLATFORM THAT ALLOWS USERS TO ACCESS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES INSTANTLY AND ANONYMOUSLY

A DIGITAL PLATFORM THAT ALLOWS USERS TO ACCESS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES INSTANTLY AND ANONYMOUSLY

I always say to my team, “Digitisation has become a necessity in a world consumed by mobile devices”. Our digital mental health platforms aim to promote mental wellness by being up close and personal in your mobile device. – Kesego Mosime, CEO and Co-Founder, First-Aid Counselling. In a country with...

BOTSWANA DIGITAL AND INNOVATION HUB

THE MANDATE OF THE BDIH IS TO CATALYSE THE DIVERSIFICATION OF BOTSWANA’S ECONOMY, TOWARDS A KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY

The Hub works closely with innovation ecosystem players to commercialise innovative and tech driven solutions. The Hub does this by: The BDIH owns two subsidiary companies, the first being the Botswana Innovation Hub Property (Pty) Ltd (BIHP). BIHP leverages the strategic infrastructure that includes the Science and Technology Park and...

PCG SOFTWARE

PCG SOFTWARE- THE TRAILBLAZING DIGITAL SOLUTIONS STARTUP DRIVING INNOVATION IN BOTSWANA AND SOON AFRICA!

THE TRAILBLAZING DIGITAL SOLUTIONS STARTUP DRIVING INNOVATION IN BOTSWANA AND SOON AFRICA!

PCG Software is a multi-award-winning, youth-led software development startup that offers bespoke digital solutions. We offer a diverse range of services including planning and consulting, back-end integrations, application development, testing and maintenance to deliver quality software apps that work across multiple platforms and devices. From left to right: Michael Mavuso –...

I HEART GABS CITY

I HEART GABS CITY-IN 2016 IHEARTGABSCITY GATHERED A TRIBE OF YOUTH AND EMBARKED ON A CREATIVE DISRUPTIVE JOURNEY OF TRANSFORMING SPACES TO PLACES

IN 2016 IHEARTGABSCITY GATHERED A TRIBE OF YOUTH AND EMBARKED ON A CREATIVE DISRUPTIVE JOURNEY OF TRANSFORMING SPACES TO PLACES

Using waste materials to create furniture for the spaces, a fusion of art and creative business to bring life to open spaces, and all this was sparked by the fact that in my city, Gaborone, open spaces are mostly used for a carwash, driving schools, second-hand clothing sales, or food...

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The Publisher

Thapelo Letsholo

Thapelo Letsholo is a Botswana entrepreneur, publisher and former legislator. He leads Global Village Publishing partnerships and initiatives across Africa and the Middle East through Bolden, advancing a growing portfolio of flagship series, regional editions, bespoke publications and commissioned editorial projects. His work centres on developing publishing platforms that help countries, institutions and leaders present... click to read more

The Publisher

Thapelo Letsholo

Thapelo Letsholo is a Botswana entrepreneur, publisher and former legislator. He leads Global Village Publishing partnerships and initiatives across Africa and the Middle East through Bolden, advancing a growing portfolio of flagship series, regional editions, bespoke publications and commissioned editorial projects. His work centres on developing publishing platforms that help countries, institutions and leaders present... click to read more

Other Ecosystems