Vice President of Botswana, Slumber Tsogwane, during the official launch of the Innovation & Technology centre.

University of Botswana (UB) has opened an innovation centre, which it says will nurture the next generation of innovators.

The UB unveiled the centre last week, promising to partner with like-minded institutions in building a vibrant innovation ecosystem in Botswana.

This, it says, will lift the country‘s plan to enhance innovation capacity framework and develop entrepreneurship.

The launch of the innovation centre comes at a time Botswana is seeking to establish itself as Southern Africa’s digital skills hub.

The country says it is imperative that Botswana establish herself as a regional talent hub and thus create opportunities not only in our economy, but in the region.

Speaking at the unveiling, Botswana vice president, Slumber Tsogwane, said: “An innovation centre such as this, is key to our national innovation ecosystem, and will undoubtedly complement our efforts to deliver sustainable economic growth and prosperity.

“It will furthermore, foster a culture of innovation, supporting entrepreneurship, propelling job creation, encouraging collaboration, and promoting technology skills transfer and commercialisation.

“These will, in turn, significantly impact the economy by developing new technologies, industries, and businesses that drive economic growth, create jobs, and enhance Botswana’s global competitiveness.”

Tsogwane impressed upon the delegates why the centre is integral to the government’s digital policies and strategies – Botswana National Research, Science and Technology Policy and Smart Botswana.

“In today's rapidly evolving world, innovation is necessary to solve complex societal problems as we transform Botswana into a knowledge-driven economy, as we find our space in the information age,” he said.

UB Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, commented saying the centre has been created to foster creativity, encourage experimentation and explore new ideas.