Mosadi Moloi, Cybersmart Botswana's programme coordinator, says the eBotho Digital Literacy Roadshow programme aims to guarantee citizens benefit from the country's digital transformation.

Cybersmart Botswana, a non-governmental organisation, has launched an initiative to bridge the country's digital divide by equipping citizens with the knowledge to navigate the digital landscape.

The NGO is embarking on a nationwide roadshow to equip society with digital skills in conjunction with the Botswana Communications and Regulatory Authority (BOCRA), Botswana National Library Services, and the Ministry of Communications, Knowledge, and Technology.

The BOCRA-funded effort was motivated by the country's high internet connectivity and the government's launch of the SmartBots Village Connectivity Project, which is bringing internet access to over 500 communities across Botswana.

According to Mosadi Moloi, Cybersmart Botswana's Programme Coordinator, the eBotho Digital Literacy Roadshow programme aims to guarantee citizens benefit from the country's digital transformation.

"Our workshops will be tailored to meet the specific needs of diverse groups and communities," Moloi said, adding that the roadshow will provide a comprehensive curriculum covering a wide range of topics, including basic internet skills, online safety, digital communication tools, online entrepreneurship, e-learning, and children's safety.

The roadshow will last four months and will include digital skills seminars at public libraries around the country for various groups such as the elderly, youth, children, professionals, and entrepreneurs in both urban centres and rural area.

"By working together, including with Botswana National Library Services, we aim to create a sustainable ecosystem that supports ongoing digital skill development beyond the duration of the roadshow through training of trainers for librarians, who will then continue to impart the skills on Batswana in their different localities, beyond the roadshow," Moloi said.