BotswanaPost has partnered with Microsoft to develop technology aimed at propping up the parastatals’ plan to achieve revenues of $63 million by 2014.

Speaking at the launch of Botswana's Information Communication Technology (ICT) projects in Gaborone, BotswanaPost chairman, Martin Makgatlhe, told the nation that the parastatal planned to transform BotswanaPost into a competitive company through the use of technology.

BotswanaPost has been reeling on losses in the past three years, and is moving towards diversifying its products and services through ICT.

“We consciously selected a partner, Microsoft Corporation, to help us automate.

“Through automation we will grow our competitive advantage locally and in the global world as most regional and global postal organisations are also automating,” Makgatlhe said.

Botswana Post is one of the oldest public services' provider in Botswana, established in 1875

The ICT projects include upgrading IT facilities, acquiring new applications and technologies that are meant to meet needs to serve customers.

“It will not be long before BotswanaPost becomes central to offering e-government services so that people can go to the nearest post office instead of travelling long distances to obtain services,” said Makgatlhe.

BotswanaPost has over 121 offices and 43 agencies across the country, covering some of the most remote areas, which the parastatal says are in the process of being interconnected to a network, following the construction of a new data-centre.