Botswana is among developing countries that have fared badly in translating ICT investment into tangible benefits in terms of competitiveness, development and employment.This is according to the latest edition of The Global Information Technology Report that was released recently by the World Economic Forum. Says the report: "Despite efforts in the past decade to improve information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure in developing economies, there remains a new digital divide in how countries harness ICT to deliver competitiveness and wellbeing."
Published under the theme, Growth and Jobs in a Hyperconnected World, the report - which is the 12th edition - suggests that national policies in some developing economies are failing to translate ICT investment into tangible benefits in terms of competitiveness, development and employment. This is in addition to the profound digital divide that already exists between advanced and developing economies in access to digital infrastructure and content.In the pillar titled Affinity for Travel and Tourism, Botswana has been ranked 105 out of 140 countries.Out of all the countries that have been rated, Botswana scored 4.3 points out of seven. In terms of tourism openness, the country has been ranked 124 and scored 1.6 marks. In terms of attitude of population toward foreign visitors, Botswana is number 103 and scored 5.9. In terms of degree of customer orientation, Botswana is ranked number 104 and scored 4.2 points. But the country did fairly well in the extension of business trips recommended category by scoring 5.6 marks and is ranked at position 52. In another pillar titled human resources, Botswana is number 128 and scored 3.6 points.
