Driving Botswana’s Digital Economy
Driving Botswana’s Digital Economy
Providing superior digital solutions that enable people to live connected, Botswana Telecommunications Corporation prides itself on building digitally enabled communities. Refilwe Malope, Head of Enterprise Products, tells us more
Writer: Lauren Kania | Project Manager: Ben Weaver
Telecommunications (telecoms) is not just about connectivity; it is about enabling businesses to grow, governments to deliver services efficiently, and communities to participate in the digital economy.”
As stated by Refilwe Malope, Head of Enterprise Products at Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC), the telecoms industry plays a crucial role in every sector of the global economy, and its significance is not to be understated.
Paving the way in this far-reaching industry is BTC – a converged telecoms operator listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE). The organisation provides nationwide connectivity infrastructure, fibre networks, mobile broadband, cloud and enterprise ICT services, and digital platforms, serving a wide range of customers, including residential users, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large enterprises,
government institutions, and other licensed operators.
“Our purpose is to deliver superior customer experiences and drive Botswana’s digital economy, and our vision is to be a leader in digital and communication services,” details Malope.
“We are focused on delivering customer-centric digital solutions whilst driving national digital transformation and economic growth.”
As a well-established professional within this sector, Malope’s career has been largely shaped by a passion for digital transformation, strategy, and building solutions that create real economic impact. He has worked across banking, logistics, and telecoms, with a strong focus on strategy, product development, and innovation.
Malope quickly realised that his interests lie in telecoms, as it sits at the intersection of digital transformation and economic development.
COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT BTC’S SUPPLY CHAIN AND THE IMPORTANT ROLE THESE RELATIONSHIPS PLAY IN THE COMPANY’S SUCCESS?
Refilwe Malope, Head of Enterprise Products: “Partnerships and supplier relationships are critical to BTC’s success, particularly in infrastructure deployment, digital services, and innovation. The company works closely with technology partners, infrastructure providers, and digital solution partners to ensure reliable service delivery and cost efficiency.
“Strategic partnerships enable BTC to introduce new solutions such as cloud services, cybersecurity platforms, and satellite connectivity whilst strengthening our digital ecosystem. In a global environment where supply chain disruptions can affect telecoms operations, strong partnerships ensure resilience, faster deployment, and continuous innovation.”
“My current role allows me to combine strategic leadership, product innovation, and market development to create solutions that empower businesses and public institutions across Botswana. What excites me most about the industry is its ability to transform lives with technology, whether through connectivity, cloud solutions, enterprise platforms, or digital financial services,” he insights.
PASSION FOR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
The telecoms industry is currently going through one of the most significant transformations in its
“OUR PURPOSE IS TO DELIVER SUPERIOR CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES AND DRIVE BOTSWANA’S DIGITAL ECONOMY, AND OUR VISION IS TO BE A LEADER IN DIGITAL AND COMMUNICATION SERVICES”
– REFILWE MALOPE, HEAD OF ENTERPRISE PRODUCTS, BOTSWANA TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
history. Traditional voice and data services are no longer the primary drivers of growth. The sector is now evolving into a digital ecosystem that includes cloud services, financial technology (FinTech), cybersecurity,
Internet of Things (IoT), and enterprise digital solutions.
“This makes it an incredibly exciting space to be in,” enthuses Malope.
“We are seeing increasing demand for high-speed connectivity, digital
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“THE COMPANY IS NOT JUST A TELECOMS PROVIDER; IT IS A STRATEGIC PARTNER IN GOVERNMENT DIGITALISATION, ENTERPRISE GROWTH, AND COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT”
– REFILWE MALOPE, HEAD OF ENTERPRISE PRODUCTS, BOTSWANA TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
platforms, and integrated solutions that enable businesses to operate more efficiently and compete globally. At the same time, the rise of over-thetop (OTT) players, satellite providers, and digital challengers is forcing telecoms operators to innovate faster and rethink business models.”
BTC views this transformation as a key opportunity, as its focus now is on developing digital ecosystems, improving customer experience, and generating new revenue streams through innovation and partnerships – making the industry highly dynamic and forward-looking.
The company is differentiating itself through its strong infrastructure foundation, customer-centric strategy, and commitment to building a digital ecosystem that goes beyond traditional telecoms.
“BTC is not just a connectivity provider; it is a digital enabler,” Malope states.
Having invested heavily in fibre, long-term evolution (LTE), cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital financial services to ensure customers receive reliable,
high-quality, and future-ready solutions, the company is continuing to evolve in pace with the industry.
The focus on customer experience, innovation, and strategic partnerships also allows BTC to remain competitive in a market that OTT players and new digital entrants increasingly shape.
Additionally, the company’s national footprint, strong stakeholder relationships, and dedication to digital inclusion position it as a trusted partner in Botswana’s digital transformation journey.
FOUR STRATEGIC PILLARS OF CONNECTION
BTC prides itself on its purpose of building digitally connected communities and driving value creation by empowering customers, transforming operations, and strengthening market leadership – all of which lie at the heart of the company’s strategy and daily operations.
Its four strategic pillars – ICT leadership, digital transformation, new growth areas, and a customer-driven culture – guide how value is created for customers and stakeholders.
ICT leadership focuses on strengthening infrastructure and connectivity, digital transformation ensures efficient and customercentric operations, new growth areas drive innovation and diversification, and a customer-driven culture guarantees that every solution is designed with the end user in mind.
“This approach allows us to empower businesses, support government digitalisation, and ensure that communities across Botswana have access to reliable connectivity and digital services, ultimately contributing to economic growth and social development,” expands Malope.
Of equal importance to BTC are the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives it participates in throughout the surrounding communities.
The BTC Corporate Social Investment portfolio plays a key role in supporting community development and social impact activities across Botswana. It focuses on education, youth development, digital inclusion, and community upliftment. Initiatives such as the BTC Francistown Marathon, Girls in ICT programmes, and local education projects demonstrate the company’s commitment to empowering communities and supporting national development.
BTC’S VALUES
Innovation – Transforming ideas into valuable and groundbreaking solutions.
Impact – Evaluating the profound effects of its actions.
Collaboration – Teamwork, agility, synergy, and unity driving shared success.
Inclusion – Diverse perspectives, equitable opportunities, fostering belonging together.
We leadothers follow
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“Through these programmes, we align our corporate social investment efforts with sustainability goals, ensuring that the company’s growth contributes positively to society,” Malope prides.
ENABLING A DIGITAL FUTURE
BTC recognises that the most valuable asset it possesses is its dedicated and talented employees.
“We understand that our people are at the centre of the business’s success; therefore, BTC focuses on building a future-fit workforce through skills development, leadership training, and a strong performance culture,” details Malope.
Employee engagement, continuous learning platforms, and a supportive work environment empower staff to innovate and contribute to the company’s transformation journey. The focus on customer-centricity, collaboration, and accountability helps employees align with BTC’s
strategic objectives and deliver value to customers.
“This approach creates a motivated and high-performing workforce that drives innovation and operational excellence,” Malope explains.
Ultimately, BTC plays an unparalleled role in enabling Botswana’s digital economy and supporting national development. As it looks ahead towards a betterconnected future, the company’s key priorities include strengthening network infrastructure, expanding fibre and mobile broadband coverage, growing enterprise and digital services, and unlocking new growth areas such as cloud, FinTech, and cybersecurity.
The company will continue focusing on customer experience, technological advancements, and partnerships to drive sustainable growth and enhance shareholder value. There is also a strong emphasis on digital inclusion, ensuring that
communities across Botswana benefit from connectivity and cutting-edge solutions.
BTC is well-positioned to lead the country’s digital transformation and capture new opportunities in the evolving telecoms landscape.
“The company is not just a telecoms provider; it is a strategic partner in government digitalisation, enterprise growth, and community empowerment.
“Through investments in infrastructure, digital platforms, and innovation, we have positioned ourselves as a key driver of economic growth and digital transformation in Botswana,” concludes Malope.
Tel: (+267) 395 8000 btc.bw