From mineral to knowledge-led economy :: Mmegi Online

Improving research and innovation has been identified as key in transforming the country's economy from mineral- led to knowledge led. With Botswana's competence in research and development in terms of investment, private sector involvement and human resource rated very low, government has tasked the Botswana Institute of Technology, Research and Innovation (BITRI). Business Week correspondent KEIKANTSE LESEMELA meets BITRI chief executive, Nelson Torto as he explains the efforts in driving innovation and research.

BusinessWeek: How does BITRI foster research and innovation?

Torto: At BITRI, we conduct needs-based technology research that provides sustainable innovative solutions through co-creation and collaboration. Because we are a research organisation for Botswana we are driven by the values of Batswana and thus through a value gap analysis approach, we are able to identify areas of need. We believe in working together with Batswana to create products as well as linking up with other key players in the technology research domain so as to enhance our efforts.

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