Botswana is accelerating its ambition to become a regional innovation hub through the newly launched venture programme designed to drive climate technology and digital transformation across Southern Africa.
The Scalar Botswana Innovation Program , unveiled in Gaborone this week, is a joint initiative between the Botswana Innovation Fund (BIF) and Scalar International, aimed at supporting early-stage startups developing solutions in renewable energy, fintech and digital infrastructure.
The programme demonstrates Botswana’s growing efforts to shape the region’s technology ecosystem while positioning the country as a gateway for climate innovation investment across the Southern African Development Community.
Speaking at the launch, Botswana’s minister of communications and innovation Thulagano Merafe Segokgo said innovation is becoming a central pillar of the country’s economic transformation strategy.
“This program reflects a deliberate evolution in Botswana’s innovation strategy. We are positioning innovation as a central driver of economic transformation, aligned with our national priority plans and the Botswana Economic Transformation Program,” Segokgo said.
He added that linking venture funding with global climate finance will help build investment-ready enterprises capable of competing regionally and internationally.
The 12-month hybrid programme will select 10 start-ups from across Southern Africa and the continent to develop commercially viable technologies in sectors including distributed renewable energy, artificial intelligence infrastructure, water management and digital services.
The Botswana Innovation Fund is the country’s national catalytic innovation financing vehicle under the Ministry of Communications and Innovation.
It provides structured funding and technical support to help entrepreneurs commercialise technology-driven ventures while accelerating economic diversification.
Sithembile Dingake, programme coordinator at BIF, said the partnership is designed to help local innovators scale globally.
“The partnership with Scalar International marks a major milestone for Botswana’s innovation ecosystem,” Dingake said.
Scalar International is part of Scalar Infrastructure and Real Assets, an investment platform focused on financing energy and digital infrastructure projects that accelerate the adoption of new technologies.
Hubért Gutsa, chief executive of Scalar International, said the initiative aims to turn African climate innovations into viable investment opportunities.
“Our collaboration with the BIF is designed to integrate venture-funded innovation with impact-oriented private investment, creating a robust incubation-to-investment pipeline,” Gutsa said.
Start-ups graduating from the programme could access funding from Scalar’s $150 million Africa Decarbonisation Fund I, helping bridge the gap between early-stage innovation and large-scale infrastructure investment across the region.
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