Botswana Eyes AI Partnerships for Youth and Skills Development

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At the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), Botswana’s Vice President and Minister of Finance, Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe, met with representatives of AIBOS Co., Ltd., a Japanese firm specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) and IT solutions. The discussions centered on how Botswana can leverage technology to empower its youth, reskill its workforce, and strengthen its education system.

AIBOS, which stands for Artificial Intelligence Blue Ocean Strategy, has built a reputation for developing educational and school management systems that align with national digitalisation goals. The company has also created employee management systems, already in use in Uganda, which support performance monitoring and accountability in the workplace.

For Botswana, such partnerships are more than diplomatic exchanges—they are part of a long-term strategy to prepare citizens for the future of work. The country has made it clear that digitalisation, youth empowerment, and innovation are priorities. By engaging with firms like AIBOS, the government is seeking practical ways to bring these priorities to life.

There are several areas where Batswana stand to benefit. First, the emphasis on AI-driven reskilling could help workers adapt to a rapidly changing job market, ensuring they remain competitive as technology reshapes industries. Second, digital school management systems could improve efficiency and learning outcomes in education, supporting Botswana’s goal of creating a knowledge-based economy. Third, AIBOS’s focus on involving young people in programming and software development from as early as high school and university opens doors for Botswana’s youth to access global-standard training and career opportunities in technology.

The potential impact goes beyond individual opportunities. Improved employee management systems could help both the public and private sector achieve greater accountability and performance. This aligns with Botswana’s broader drive to strengthen governance, increase productivity, and unlock innovation across industries.

AIBOS has already signaled its intention to visit Botswana later this year to engage stakeholders and explore partnership opportunities. If successful, this could mark an important step in Botswana’s journey to embrace AI and digital transformation not just as a policy agenda, but as a lived reality that shapes education, employment, and national development.

Source: BWgovernment Facebook page