Botswana

Embedding gender transfomation in science, technology and innovation
Gender inequalities in science, technology, and innovation (STI) remain a global challenge. Women’s representation dwindles as they proceed through the ‘leaky’ STI pipeline (Huyer, 2019). Addressing gender equality and inclusion (GEI) in STI is an issue of social justice and socio-economic advancement on a national scale. Gender transformation is a UNESCO priority and is embedded…

Botswana’s Commitment to Research: Laying the groundwork for innovation
Although Botswana does not yet have a dedicated science agency, it has demonstrated a strong commitment to research and innovation through active participation in the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI). In this video interview, Lesego Thamae, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications, Knowledge and Technology, reflects on the country’s eight-year involvement with SGCI…

Partnerships key to collaborating for impactful outcomes: A Conversation with Abraham Mathodi, Botswana
African scientists are trying to elevate their global presence through innovative partnerships. Copyright: Image by Freepik In an exclusive video interview, Abraham Mathodi, Acting Deputy Director of Botswana’s Ministry of Communications, Knowledge and Technology, discusses the crucial role of partnerships in addressing Africa’s challenges through science. He explains how Botswana benefits from the Science Granting Councils…

Boosting Botswana’s innovation through the Science Granting Councils Initiative
The Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) fosters collaborative research across Africa. The initiative promotes evidence-based innovation and policies. In so doing, it empowers science granting councils to drive economic and social progress. One notable partnership has been with Botswana’s Ministry of Tertiary Education, Research, Science, and Technology. Here, four projects, focusing on various technologies, have…

SGCI supports nanotechnology project adding value to mining industry in Botswana
The mining industry in Botswana plays a pivotal role in the country’s’ economy, accounting for around 20% of GDP. However, chemicals are a much-needed part of the mining process, and they drive up costs. Mining companies in Botswana import chemicals from around the world, including China, South Africa and the USA. The chemicals act as…

Botswana to host SGCI Annual Forum & GRC Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Meeting
The Ministry of Communications, Knowledge and Technology will host the 2024 Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) Annual Forum and the Global Research Council (GRC) Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Meeting from 11 to 15 November 2024 in Gaborone, Botswana at Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino. The forum will be held under the theme ‘Science Granting Councils in…

Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Malawi collaborate on science and technology projects
Project Titles & Institutions Areas of Research Biotechnology, mining technology, space science, digital communication technologies, climate smart technologies, AI, agro-processing and renewable energy Number of Projects being funded In-kind Distribution In-kind support (~USD 5K each) covering personnel, communications, transport, etc. Project Duration 15–30 months Council Research Council of Zimbabwe Collaboration with other councils Partnered with Malawi’s…

Botswana Institutions pioneer water, mining, and tech solutions
Project Titles & Institution Areas of Research Mineral Technology, value addition, and/or beneficiation Number of Projects being funded 4 projects (2 collaborative and the other two solely by Botswana) Project Duration 19 months Grant Amount 750,000 BWP per project In-Kind Distribution Salary for Principal Investigator and co-research excluding students Council Botswana Digital and Innovation Hub…
Ministry of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology (Botswana)
The Ministry of Tertiary Education, Research Science and Technology exists to provide and build knowledge and innovation through the development and implementation of Policy on Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology to transform Botswana in to a knowledge based society through effective stakeholder collaboration.

Covid-19 Africa Rapid Grant Fund: Research project abstracts
Multiple research projects were proposed across Africa, with the goal to improve local understanding, prevention and response to COVID-19. The research grant abstracts outline the different projects that would take place using funding from the COVID-19 Africa Rapid Grant Fund. Projects in Botswana In Botswana, there were many projects that research COVID-19. These include: Abstracts…