Botswana’s transport and communications minister Nonofo Molefhi says the nation should investigate existing technology capabilities within the country to help improve efficiency in both the private and public sector.

“Innovative use of technology allows people to creatively reduce production overheads of goods and services,” said Molefhi.

The minister said technology creates room for development and packaging of new products, services and processes for economic growth.

He further added that the nation should strive to enable rural and remote areas to be part of a technology economy and supply chain.

Sharing the minister’s sentiments, director of telecommunications and postal services Onalenna Sechele said there is low uptake of ICT and optimisation of opportunities brought by ICT.

“We have realised that what we had focused on was building platforms, we are going to embark on an impact assessment study and find out what the economy needs,” said Sechele.

Meanwhile the minister highlighted that government is set to complete the liberalisation of the country’s telco market before the end of 2012. Developments such as a broadband policy, universal service policy, cost model and pricing framework are also on the cards for the country, according to the minister.