Ministry of Communications and Innovation

Shared Digital Services (SDS)

Mandate 

Ensure effective Information Systems Governance in order to provide an enabling IT environment for an accelerated national development and global positioning.

Key Functions of SDS

The Department of Shared Digital Services has six (6) key business functions: 

• Network Services
• Data Center Services 
• Information Security Services 
• Information Technology Service Management
• Program Management and IT Strategy 
• IT Research and Development 

Key Functions Under SDS

Network services: 

1. These include analysing and monitoring network performance, configuration of hardware and software to optimise network communication and setting up LAN/WAN/SDWANs.
2. Additionally, functions under that function include Network Planning & Compliance, Network Design, Network Compliance Network Operations, Data Centre Network Management, Enterprise Network Management and Network Assets& Life Cycle Management.

Data Centre Services:

1. Hosting Operations management:  which include management and maintenance of hosting services platform, management of Ministry hosting solutions and DNS registration. 
2. Enterprise Systems: the services include Management and maintenance of Directory Services (domain and directory services), identity and access management, Management and maintenance of enterprise applications and Software assets and lifecycle management as well as Endpoint management (software updates, upgrades, patching)
3. Databases Services: These include management and maintenance of database platform, Administration of databases (installing, configuring, monitoring, maintaining, and improving the performance of databases and data stores), Database backups management and maintenance, Database Clones, Recovery or Migrations as well as Deployment of Developer Scripts from Ministries.
4. Application Hosting Services: which includes Management and Maintenance of Application and Web Hosting Services and support for Application and Web Hosting services.
5. Data Centre Facilities services: which include management and maintenance of data centre facilities, provision of technical advice and support on technical matters and co-location management.

Information Security Services

1. Applications and Databases Security Services: These include defining and implementing security control measures to protect databases and applications in accordance with security requirements, Management of configurations and changes to databases and applications and assessing and maintaining the existing security controls.
2. Host and Network Security services: These services include defining and implementing security controls necessary to protect hosts, networks and internet perimeters in accordance with security policies and assess and maintain security controls necessary to protect hosts, networks and internet perimeters in accordance with security policies.
3. Cybersecurity services: provides threat intelligence, incident response, malware & ransomware protection to maintain a better security posture and identify, prevent and recover from a cyber security breach.
4. Physical Access Control Security Services: Monitoring the safety and security of the data centres and regional hubs with authenticated access, Defining and enforcing access controls for facilities and other physical assets and Management and maintenance of closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera surveillance as per the policy requirements.

IT Service Management

1. Operations Centre (NOC/SOC, Service Desk): They are responsible for Monitoring incidents, incidence Reponses, advising users on appropriate course of and escalating, if needed, unresolved problems to a higher level of support.
2. Change Management Services: which includes Authorizing and approving minor/low change, Coordinating and conducting meetings with Change advisory board (CAB) to discuss higher risk changes and ensuring that all the activities designed to implement the change are as per the standards.
3. Contract Management Services: They also deal with managing contracts and services, preparing and negotiating the terms and conditions of contracts, assisting in the preparation of various contracts and Meeting with customers to discuss business and legal matters.
4. Software Licensing and IT Services Billing: they provide managing of licensing and IT Services billing as well as Coordinating IT Services billing managements for Ministries.
5. Repair Services:  which include data recovery services, management and disposal of e-waste and repair of ICT equipment

Program Management & IT Strategy

1. IT Standards & Compliance Management:  a service which is responsible for Formulating and publicizing ICT standards and Policies, Monitoring of Ministry compliance to Policies and standards, Auditing to ensure compliance by regularly auditing Ministries against agreed policies and standards and continuously review standards to ensure compliance to international trends.
2. Development and Review of Policies, Legislation, Standards and Strategies: this arm is responsible for the Development, implementation and review of ICT strategies, policies, standards and procedures. It is also responsible for Initiating and advocating for new Legislation and Polices which are aligned to international trends.
3. Program Management: they are responsible for Provide governance for key program projects, develop a reporting framework for the programs by using KPIs and Management of reports and necessary project documentation

IT Research and Development

1. They are responsible for Research and International Relations, New ICT trends research, ICT advisory services and International relations Research & Data Analytics
2. International Cooperation and Partnerships: They research on new ICT technologies and provide advisory services on best international practice as well as facilitate IT partnership synergies with Private Sector, Donor Agencies and International partners by engaging with the agencies and find ways to collaborate on new technology offerings.

Technology and Commercialisation (DTC)

Mandate

Foster innovation and facilitate commercialisation of new technologies through creating an enabling environment through policy advocacy, financial support for innovation, management of intellectual property rights and investment into developing and developed technologies for commercialisation, to enhance the overall creativity and problem-solving capacity of the country as well as contribute to the national development and global competitiveness.    

Key Functions of DTC 

The Department of Technology and Commercialisation offers the following business functions:

• Technology Development 
• Technology Promotion
• Formulating and overseeing implementation of policies to enable technology development and promotion 

Key Functions of Technology and Commercialisation

Technology Development

1. Technology Assessments - boost technology development through supporting development of new technologies or improving existing ones; promoting creation of prototypes and assessing feasibility of technologies; creating an enabling environment for transforming prototypes into market-ready products; and overseeing the entire lifecycle of technology development from idea generation to market-ready solutions.
2. Flagship Programmes - provide funding and technical support for building relevant capacities for a striving innovation landscape for high priority technology and innovation projects for the nation (from Presidential pronouncements) and other technological solutions that are envisaged to make high economic and social impacts.  This involves developing technology and innovation priorities and helping in developing business plans, marketing strategies, and product development roadmaps for technology development and promotion including policy advocacy and technology and innovation education and outreach.
3. Formulate Policies to enable Technology Development and Promotion -develop policies and strategies to create a conducive environment for promoting and stimulating the translation of scientific and technological capabilities into value-added goods and services in all sectors of the economy. The policies will cover areas such as artificial intelligence, indigenous knowledge systems, sustainable technology development, and guide the innovation or technology roadmap, all geared towards contributing to among others, achieving sustainable development goals, Vision 2036, and Agenda 2063.           

Technology Promotion

1. Technology Promotion – develop marketing strategies to raise awareness on new technologies to potential investors and partners; showcasing the technology to potential customers and partners at expos, tech festivals, etc.; and building and managing strategic relationships with industry partners.
2. Technology Transfer - facilitate the transfer of technology and innovations from research institutions, universities, or companies to the marketplace, as well as evaluating the commercial potential of technologies and identifying suitable markets and applications.   
3. Technology Investments and Intellectual Property - identify and acquire investments into technologies, analyse commercialisation risks and analysing competition and market dynamics to inform investment decisions. 

Digital Communications Infrastructure and Business (DCIB)

Mandate

The Department exists primarily to:

1. Develop and review policies, laws, regulations, and guidelines related to ICT (Information and Communication Technology) and cybersecurity for the national communications sector. 

2. Identify and participate in the adoption of new technology developments. 

3. Facilitate the development and maintenance of reliable, efficient, and secure ICT network infrastructure. 

4. Manage performance contracts with stakeholders, including state-owned enterprises (SOEs). 

5. Plan and execute various international commemorations such as World Telecommunications Day, Information Society Day, World Radio Day, World Post Day, Cyber Month, Safer Internet Day, and Girls in ICT. 

6. Leverage existing government infrastructure, such as the postal network, to enhance the delivery of government services to the people of Botswana.

7. Manage compliance with quality communications and cybersecurity standards. Facilitate the adaptation of regional and international quality standards. Support the development of the ICT value chain and profile communication infrastructure to derive benefits from new and completed projects. Measure, monitor, and evaluate the implementation and impact of programs. 

8. Create a conducive environment for investment in ICT and monitor economic performance indicators for the ICT sector. Promote international cooperation and partnerships through bi-national commissions, memorandums of understanding, and the ratification and domestication of conventions, protocols, and treaties. Ensure subscriptions to regional and international protocols on ICT in which Botswana is a member.

9. Facilitate collaboration and cooperation on cybersecurity issues at the national, regional, and international levels. Build national cybersecurity capacity and capabilities, while promoting cybersecurity awareness, education, and research and development. As the government digitizes, it is imperative to protect users and infrastructure from cyberattacks by implementing the National Cybersecurity Strategy. This strategy will complement the existing Cybercrime and Computer-Related Crimes Act of 2018 and will be paired with ongoing cybersecurity awareness initiatives targeting both in-school and out-of-school youth.

Programmes 

• ICT Policy and Governance Framework
• National Backbone Projects
• Local Access 
• International Connectivity
• Cyber Security

Programme - ICT Policy and Governance Framework

This entails the development of Botswana’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Policy Framework. The aim of framework is to enhance the policy environment and stimulate ICT sector growth and development. 

Projects: The envisaged projects are to develop and implement Botswana National Spectrum Policy and National Transformational ICT Policy. As part of this initiative, we will develop a new Frequency Spectrum Policy aimed at optimizing the use of the electromagnetic spectrum in response to advancing technologies and increasing demand for wireless communication. Additionally, a Transformation ICT Policy will be crafted to foster innovation, integrate new technology effectively, and support the transformative power of Information and Communication Technology across various sectors.

Programme  - National Backbone Projects 

To expand ICT infrastructure network along the links and between villages around the country. This will avail network connectivity of high capacity and high speed for the ICT network.

Projects - Internet is connected to Government institutions while fibre is terminated next to the building for businesses to have Internet connected by an Internet Service Provider of the institution’s choice. This network expansion will bring the number of gazetted villages connected to the national backbone to 232, covering about 12000km of fibre optic cable.

Programme - Local Access

This serves to deploy local access network within villages. This is deployment of fibre in underground tunnels and overhead poles termed Fibre To The Home/Business (FTTX).

Projects – The projects are meant improve Internet access to schools, hospitals, Government offices and businesses. This deployment not only boosts communication and information access but also fosters growth and development in these communities. With these advancements, we have successfully connected an impressive total of 726 government and business premises to the Local Access network, paving the way for a more interconnected and technologically equipped future.

Programme - International Connectivity

Initially to deploy back haul link from Tlokweng Boarder to Johannesburg. The successful implementation of this transit link is seen as essential for enhancing regional connectivity and supporting the growing demand for internet and data services in both Botswana and the broader Southern African region.

Project -This project will reduce transit costs particularly for Internet traffic along the link by more than 50% or by BWP13 Million per year as Botswana will have right of use for the link. The Ministry, through BOFINET, has established a strategic partnership with Broadband Infraco from South Africa with the goal of co-developing a vital transit link that will connect the Tlokweng Border with Johannesburg. This means Botswana will  now share maintenance costs with South Africa. 

This link is designed to enhance the efficiency of traffic transit from the Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System (EASSy), which plays a crucial role in improving connectivity and telecommunications infrastructure in the region.

The project was originally launched in 2018; however, it faced significant delays due to various challenges from the South African side, extending the timeline by approximately five years. Despite these setbacks, South African stakeholders contacted their counterparts in Botswana in September 2023, expressing a renewed interest in resuming the transit link project. 

Programme- Cyber Security

To implement the initial milestones of the Cyber Security Strategy which are; 

Projects - To convert the communications sector Computer Incident Response Team (CommCIRT) into a national CIRT (BwCIRT), establish the National Cybersecurity Advisory Council (NCAC), establish national Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (BwCyberCoE) and carry out public awareness on cyber security. Other engagements planned under this project will include completing the development and enactment of the Cyber Security Law/legislation and Centre of Excellence Framework.