The Botswana Digital & Innovation Hub (BDIH) signed a Memorandum of Agreement for join cooperation on research collaboration projects with the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) on the 07 March 2022.
Through the Memorandum of Agreement, the two entities committed to share and exchange technical information on training, research and development, supporting the technological needs of Botswana in among others;
- Robotics and mechatronics
- Telecommunication
- Computer and electronics
- Software development
- Aircraft Engineering
The partnership will see BDIH & BDF enter into project-specific agreements to conduct cooperative research and development activities.
As Botswana’s innovation Agency, BDIH works through dedicated partnerships that lead to development of impactful solutions by; co-creating with researchers, sourcing funding for solutions and leveraging on the network to connect innovators with off takers. The BDF-BDIH collaboration will allow for synergies in the development of research-based innovations.
Delivering his speech at the signing ceremony, The Commander of Botswana Defence Force LT General PG Segokgo said, “The advent of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) will enable the two institutions to jointly undertake research and development in order to come up with home grown solutions. This will obviously have ripple effect on import substitution, skills development, employment creation and economic growth. Of great significance, this cooperation and collaboration is in consonance with the aspirations of our national vision on knowledge-based economy and it supports government’s transformation agenda”.
Speaking at the signing occasion, Botswana Digital & Innovation Hub Ag. CEO, Mr Tshepo Tsheko said, “As an aggregator on innovators, BDIH is committed to working on challenge driven projects to enhance the Botswana Defence Force’s efficiencies concurrently delivering on our mission to commercialise locally produced solutions.