Mobile operator Mascom has presented ten internet cafes to rural communities across Botswana as part of the ongoing Kitsong Centre CSR initiative.

The initiative has been established to empower local entrepreneurs with digital skills and roll out essential services to local communities.

Ten young entrepreneurs will be each given the opportunity to run their own cafes.

"Kitsong centres are at the pinnacle of our corporate social responsibility initiatives, we have realised the need to bridge the gap between urban and rural communities and ICT is one of the ways that Mascom has successfully managed to change mindsets of communities, one village at a time," said Lilly Sullivan, Mascom chief information officer.

The Mascom Kitsong centre package includes a branded portacabin equipped with computers, printers, copiers and data cards.

Entrepreneurs operate the fully equipped centers to provide essential services to communities including email and internet, mobile money, airtime, SIM card, printing and photocopying.

Mascom has also prioritised digital literacy for the Kitsong Centre operators.

"Mascom sees this as a vital skill for the communities to ensure digital inclusion and contribution to the economy," Sullivan said.

Since 2009, Mascom has handed over a total of 81 Kitsong Centers around Botswana and, to date, invested over 20 million Pula (approximately just over $2million) into the project.

Kitsong Centre started as a partnership between Mascom and the Government of Botswana through the Nteletsa II Rural Development Project in 2009. Coverage was extended to 41 villages with Kitsong Centres also established.