The Botswana Defence Force (BDF) has inked a R&D collaboration deal with the country’s digital innovation driver Botswana Digital & Innovation Hub (BDIH) to support the country's technology needs.

The two entities have committed to share and exchange technical information on training, research and development on robotics and mechatronics, telecommunication, computer and electronics, software development and aircraft engineering.

BDF Commander Lieutenant General, Placid Segokgo, said, “The advent of the fourth industrial revolution will enable the two institutions to jointly undertake research and development in order to come up with home grown solutions. This will obviously have a ripple effect on import substitution, skills development, employment creation and economic growth.”

Segoko said the alliance is aligned to the government’s efforts to establish a knowledge-based economy via digital transformation.

The BDIH believes this collaboration will result in robust solutions because of the level of engagement with researchers, the credible platform to source necessary funding and the involvement of innovators.

BDIH Acting CEO, Tshepo Tsheko, added: “As an aggregator of innovators, BDIH is committed to working on challenge driven projects to enhance the Botswana Defence Force’s efficiencies concurrently delivering on our mission to commercialise locally produced solutions.”